Essay Example on Asthma & Pneumonia: Pathophysiology & Symptoms

Asthma is a degenerative respiratory condition that leads to inflammation and narrowing of the bronchiole airways. Asthma symptoms usually vary in different people, and the symptoms come and go over a period of time and also in response to triggers such as allergens. During an asthma attack, coughing and wheezing occur and consequently making breathing difficult. Pneumonia affects the lungs, and it is caused by fungi, bacteria, parasites, or even viruses.

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The pathophysiology in asthma is reversible, and the narrowing of the airways is due to diffuse airway inflammation. Even though asthma does not lead to pneumonia immediately, people with serious lung defects have high chances of developing pneumonia, because of previous weakness in lung tissue (Carpaij, Burgess, Kerstjens, Nawijn, & van den Berge, 2019). Hence, a victim of asthma may have severe complications from the flu and cold. The flue could lead to pneumonia, and with the study from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), people with asthma are likely to contract pneumonia after ailing with flu than people who do not have asthma.

Some research shows that medications offered to asthma patients such as the inhaled corticosteroids, which is the main treatment for asthma, may increase the chances of developing respiratory diseases such as pneumonia. Additionally, some research also indicates that young adults suffering from asthma might experience a condition called excess exacerbation, which is a condition following pneumonia. Sometimes, it can be difficult for doctors to notice pneumonia since pneumonia and asthma can have same symptoms. Such similar symptoms include; chest pain, coughing, wheezing and breathing difficulties.

The relevant information that would be used for the assessment of the patient would entail the symptoms. Such symptoms would include, if the patient experiences regular headaches, feeling tired always, chills and fever, chest pain, which leads to coughing or even breathing difficulties, and also wet skin. This information is important as most of these symptoms relate to pneumonia.

Information such as a dry cough and muscle pain from the start of the disease is also paramount for the assessment of the patient. This is because when pneumonia results from a virus, such kind of symptoms show up. Since the patient has a history of asthma and is admitted with pneumonia, the recommended tests include the following;

Blood Tests: Blood tests are very useful in the confirmation of infection. Also, blood tests would help determine the type of organism that causes the infection. Such organisms include bacteria or even viruses.

Sputum Test: For the test, a fluid sample from the lungs, which is the sputum, is taken and analyzed to know the cause of the infection.

Chest X-ray: X-ray would help diagnose pneumonia and also find the extent and exact location of the infection. X-ray does not give specific information on the kind of germ causing pneumonia. The chest x-ray would show the images of the patient's lungs, heart, bronchioles, blood vessels, and also the spine and bones of the chest.

Pulse Oximetry: This test measures the level of oxygen in the patient's blood. This test is important as pneumonia can prevent the lungs from transporting the required amount of oxygen into the bloodstream.

CT Scan: This is a kind of X-ray test that produces an image using the form of topography where a computer controls, detects, processes data, and finally produces the image. This test is recommended if the pneumonia is not clearing as quickly as anticipated. It gives a more elaborate image of the patient's lungs.

When treating pneumonia, two important aspects are important. These aspects involve healing the infection and also precluding complications. Specific pharmacological agents usually rely on the phase and, type of pneumonia, the overall health of the patient, and also the age. The pharmacological agents include the following;

Antibiotics: These are medical drugs used to treat pneumonia caused by bacteria. Identification of the type of bacteria may take quite some time. The identification enables doctors recommend the best antibiotics to be consumed. Examples of such antibiotics are levofloxacin, amoxicillin, and macrolide.

Fever Reducers and Pain Relievers: These are medicines taken for fever also ease discomfort. Examples of such drugs include acetaminophen, aspirin, and ibuprofen.

Cough Medicine: These are medicines taken to ease down a cough. However, it is not advisable to completely get rid of coughing as coughing facilitates the loosening and moving of fluid from the lungs. Cough drugs include cough suppressants (Brooks, 2020)

The specific nursing interventions and care measures for the patients include regular assessments such as, evaluating the rhythm, rate, and the depth of respiration. Shallow respirations are usually common due to the moving of the chest wall and fluids uncomfortably within the lungs. The use of accessory muscles is important in facilitating breathing. Assessing of cough effectiveness and also productivity. Secretions can effectively be removed through coughing. Pneumonia may, however, cause thick secretions to patients. Another crucial intervention includes assessing the patient's hydration status. Dehydration usually hinders airway clearance. Therefore, the patient should always remain hydrated. Hydration can be achieved by taking plenty of water, which helps loosen mucus in the patient's lungs. There are also therapeutic interventions that can be adopted during nursing care. Close intervention must be taken to ensure the patient takes the medicine as prescribed. Stopping before the dosage finishes might lead to the patient's lungs maintain the bacteria that can multiply and cause complications. The patient has to avoid smoking and also being around smoke. Encouraging the patient to ambulate. Ambulation aids in mobilizing secretions and also reduces atelectasis.

Teaching and encouraging the patient to embrace proper deep-breathing practices. Maximum expansion of the lungs is achieved through deep-breathing. Also, this exercise enhances the productivity of cough. Coughing helps remove secretions in the body. Monitoring of pulse oximetry and chest x-rays readings. This helps in the alteration of therapy if needs arise. The saturation of oxygen should be observed at 90% or more (Edwards, 2018).

References

Brooks, W. A. (2020). Bacterial Pneumonia. In Hunter's Tropical Medicine and Emerging Infectious Diseases (pp. 446-453). Content Repository Only. Retrieved from https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/B9780323555128000429

Carpaij, O. A., Burgess, J. K., Kerstjens, H. A., Nawijn, M. C., & van den Berge, M. (2019). A review on the pathophysiology of asthma remission. Pharmacology & therapeutics, 201, 8-24. Retrieved from https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0163725819300762

Edwards, A. (2018). Back to Basics: Nursing Interventions that Decrease Ventilator Pneumonia. Retrieved from https://digitalcommons.murraystate.edu/postersatthecapitol/2007/Murray/6/