Académique Documents
Professionnel Documents
Culture Documents
What is Pneumonia?
Pneumonia is a lung infection that can be caused by different types of microorganisms, including bacteria, viruses, and fungi.
Give the person their bath and provide very good skin care. Keep them clean and dry at all times.
Turn and position the patient at least every 2 hours. Many dying patients are at risk for pressure ulcers.
Provide very good mouth care. The patient may be dehydrated and have a dry mouth. Use mouth swabs for unconscious patients that have a dry mouth. Give sips of water to patients that are conscious and able to swallow safely.
Keep the bed and the room neat. Adjust the temperature in the room if the person is too warm or too cold. Give them lighter clothing to wear if they are hot. Give them a sweater or blankets if they are cold.
Emphysema
What is Emphysema?
Emphysema is a destructive disease of the lung in which the alveoli (small sacs) that promote oxygen exchange between the air and the bloodstream are destroyed.
The main risk factor for emphysema is smoking, which activates inflammatory cells in the lung. This inflammation causes; 1) swelling within the bronchioles, and 2) activation of enzymes called proteases which attack and destroy lung tissue (the alveolar wall structures). This leads to centriacinar emphysema, which begins in the bronchioles and gradually spreads peripherally to the far reaches of the lung. There may be a genetic contribution to the development of emphysema, since not all people who smoke suffer from emphysema.
There is also an inherited form of emphysema. The relatively rare condition known as Alpha 1-antitrypsin deficiency is the genetic deficiency of a chemical that protects the lung from damage by proteases. This results in panacinar emphysema, which destroys the alveoli throughout the lung uniformly.
Emphysema is also a component of aging. As the lungs get older, the elastic properties decrease, and the tensions that develop can result in small areas of emphysema.
Always encourage proper hygiene and proper nutrition. Increase fluid intake.
Proper positioning and frequent changing of positions to allow better lung expansion and air and fluid movement.
Teach the client proper breathing techniques for better air exchange.
Encourage the client to eat more frequent, smaller meals to decrease gastric distention, which can cause pressure on the diaphragm.