Emphysema

Question 1

What are the signs and symptoms of emphysema?

Answer 1

cough, wheezing, chest tight, SOB, increased mucous production

Question 2

What are the causes of emphysema?

Answer 2

air pollution, smoking, gases

Question 3

What is the pathophysiology of emphysema?

Answer 3

irritant
macrophages releasing inflammatory mediators
neutrophils recruited, releasing elastase
elastase breaks down elastin causes destruction to elastic fibres
other proteases causes further tissue damage to the alveolar wall
T-lymphocytes also cause further tissue damage to the alveolar wall
cell apoptosis

Question 4

What are some nursing interventions and their rationale for emphysema?

Answer 4

Administer O2 as prescribed
to reduce the risk of hypoxia
Administer salbutamol as
prescribed to dilate the
bronchioles and allow the
patient to breathe easier
Position upright to promote
gas exchange and optimise
lung expansion
Reassurance by
explaining their diagnosis
and their care plan to
reduce the SNS response
and reduce anxiety