Chapter 22: Management of Patients with Upper Respiratory Tract Disorders

A client seeks care for hoarseness that has lasted for 1 month. To elicit the most appropriate information about this problem, the nurse should ask which question?

"Do you smoke cigarettes, cigars, or a pipe?" Persistent hoarseness may signal throat cancer, which commonly is associated with tobacco use. To assess the client's risk for throat cancer, the nurse should ask about smoking habits. Although straining the voice may cause hoarseness, it wouldn't cause hoarseness lasting for 1 month. Consuming red meat or spicy foods isn't associated with persistent hoarseness.

A nurse is caring for a client who has a history of sleep apnea. The client understands the disease process when he says:

"I should become involved in a weight loss program." Obesity and decreased pharyngeal muscle tone commonly contribute to sleep apnea; the client may need to become involved in a weight loss program. Using an inhaler won't alleviate sleep apnea, and the physician probably wouldn't order an inhaler unless the client had other respiratory complications. A high-protein diet and sleeping on the side aren't treatment factors associated with sleep apnea.

A client finished a course of antibiotics for laryngitis but continues to experience persistent hoarseness. Which symptom would cause the nurse to suspect laryngeal cancer?

A feeling of swelling at the back of the throat After an initial hoarseness lasting longer than a month, clients with laryngeal cancer will feel a sensation of swelling or a lump in the throat or in the neck. Weight loss often occurs later in the progression of laryngeal cancer due to reduced calorie intake as a result of impaired swallowing and pain. Clients with laryngeal cancer may report burning in the throat when swallowing hot or citrus liquids. Clients with obstructive sleep apnea may experience a morning headache.

The nurse is providing discharge instructions to a client who has nasal packing in place following nasal surgery. Which discharge instructions would be most appropriate for the client?

Avoid sports for 6 weeks The nurse instructs the client to avoid sports activities for 6 weeks. There is no indication for the client to refrain from taking oral fluids. Mouth rinses help to moisten the mucous membranes and to reduce the odor and taste of dried blood in the oropharynx and nasopharynx. The client should take analgesic agents, such as acetaminophen or NSAIDs (i.e., ibuprofen or naproxen), to decrease nasal discomfort, not aspirin. The client does not need to use nasal drops when nasal packing is in place.

After a tonsillectomy, a client is being prepared for discharge. The nurse should instruct the client to report which sign or symptom immediately?

Bleeding The nurse should instruct the client to report bleeding immediately. Delayed bleeding may occur when the healing membrane separates from the underlying tissue — usually 7 to 10 days postoperatively. Difficulty swallowing and throat pain are expected after a tonsillectomy and typically are present even before the client is discharged. Sudden difficulty talking wouldn't occur after discharge if the client could talk normally at the time of discharge, because swelling doesn't take that long to develop.

The nurse is obtaining a health history from a client on an annual physical exam. Which documentation should be brought to the physician's attention?

Hoarseness for 2 weeks Persistent hoarseness, especially of unknown cause, can be a sign of laryngeal cancer and merits prompt investigation. Epistaxis can be from several causes and has occurred infrequently. Aphonia and laryngitis are common following the noted activity.

elect the nursing diagnosis that would warrant immediate health care provider notification.

Ineffective airway clearance related to excessive mucus production secondary to retained secretions and inflammation Ineffective airway clearance can lead to respiratory depression, which necessitates immediate intervention.

A client has acute bacterial rhinosinusitis for several weeks despite treatment. The nurse observes for a possible complication of the infection by assessing for

Nuchal rigidity Potential complications of acute bacterial rhinosinusitis are nuchal rigidity and severe headache. Hypertension may be a result of over-the-counter decongestant medications. Nausea may be a result of nasal corticosteroids. Nuchal rigidity is the inability to flex the neck forward due to rigidity of the neck muscles

A patient is diagnosed as being in the early stage of laryngeal cancer of the glottis with only 1 vocal cord involved. For what type of surgical intervention will the nurse plan to provide education?

Partial laryngectomy A partial laryngectomy (laryngofissure-thyrotomy) is often used for patients in the early stages of cancer in the glottis area when only one vocal cord is involved.

A nurse is in the cafeteria at work. A fellow worker at another table suddenly stands up, leans forward with hands crossed at the neck, and makes gasping noises. The nurse first

Stands behind the worker, who has hands across the neck The description of the fellow worker is a person who is choking. Following guidelines set by the American Heart Association, the nurse first stands behind the person who is choking. Because this is the first step in the Heimlich. You will end up wrapping your arms around their waste as well as putting pressure but FIRST you will stand behind them.

A client is being seen by the physician because of an unrelenting headache, facial tenderness, low-grade fever, and dark yellow nasal discharge. The client reports seeming to develop sinus infections "all the time." Which factor may predispose the client to sinusitis?

interference with sinus drainage The principal causes are the spread of an infection from the nasal passages to the sinuses and the blockage of normal sinus drainage. Interference with sinus drainage predisposes a client to sinusitis because trapped secretions readily become infected. Client with persistent sinus infections may have allergies, nasal polyps, or a deviated septum. Eating a well-balanced diet that includes but does not rely exclusively on protein is a measure that may help reduce incidences of sinusitis. Getting plenty of rest is a measure that may help reduce incidences of sinusitis. Increased exposure to the health care environment is not a specific cause of sinusitis, which is more commonly caused by allergies or blockage of the nasal passages.

Which of the following is the most effective treatment for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA)?

CPAP Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) CPAP is the most effective treatment for OSA because the positive pressure acts as a splint, keeping the upper airway and trachea open during sleep. To use CPAP, the patient must be breathing independently. BiPAP ventilation offers independent control of inspiratory and expiratory pressure while providing pressure support ventilation. Mechanical ventilation is not the most effective treatment for OSA. Administration of low-flow nasal oxygen at night can help relieve hypoxemia in some patients but has little effect on the frequency or severity of apnea.

The nurse is caring for a client status post adenoidectomy. The nurse finds the client in severe respiratory distress when entering the room. What does the nurse suspect?

Edema of the upper airway With severe respiratory distress in a status post adenoidectomy client, the nurse would suspect an airway issue related to edema of the upper airway. The scenario does not indicate infection, postoperative bleeding, or a plugged tracheostomy tube.

A patient comes to the clinic with complaints of a sore throat and is diagnosed with acute pharyngitis. What does the nurse understand is the cause of acute pharyngitis?

Group A, beta-hemolytic streptococci Viral infection causes most cases of acute pharyngitis. Responsible viruses include the adenovirus, influenza virus, Epstein-Barr virus, and herpes simplex virus. Bacterial infection accounts for the remainder of cases. Ten percent of adults with pharyngitis have group A beta-hemolytic streptococcus (GABHS), which is commonly referred to as group A streptococcus (GAS) or streptococcal pharyngitis.

A client is being assessed for acute laryngitis. The nurse knows that clinical manifestations of acute laryngitis include

Hoarseness Signs of acute laryngitis include hoarseness or aphonia and severe cough. Other signs of acute laryngitis include a dry cough, and a sore throat that feels worse in the morning. If allergies are present, the uvula will be visibly edematous.

The client you are caring for has just been told they have advanced laryngeal cancer. What is the treatment of choice?

Total Laryngectomy In more advanced cases, total laryngectomy may be the treatment of choice. Partial laryngectomy, laser surgery, and radiation therapy are not the treatment of choice for advanced cases of laryngeal cancer.

The nurse is caring for a patient who had a total laryngectomy and has drains in place. When does the nurse understand that the drains will most likely be removed?

When the patient has less than 30 mL for 2 consecutive days Wound drains, inserted during surgery, may be in place to assist in removal of fluid and air from the surgical site. Suction also may be used, but cautiously, to avoid trauma to the surgical site and incision. The nurse observes, measures, and records drainage. When drainage is less than 30 mL/day for 2 consecutive days, the physician usually removes the drains.

You are caring for a client who is 42-years-old and status post adenoidectomy. You find the client in respiratory distress when you enter their room. You ask another nurse to call the physician and bring an endotracheal tube into the room. What do you suspect?

Edema of the upper airway An endotracheal tube is inserted through the mouth or nose into the trachea to provide a patent airway for clients who cannot maintain an adequate airway on their own. The scenario does not indicate infection, post operative bleeding, or a plugged tracheostomy tube.

Which is a priority nursing intervention that the nurse should perform for a client who has undergone surgery for a nasal obstruction?

Ensure mouth breathing For a client who has undergone surgery for a nasal obstruction, it is important for the nurse to emphasize that nasal packing will be in place postoperatively, necessitating breathing through the mouth. The nurse applies an ice pack to reduce pain and swelling and not a warm pack. The nurse recommends the use of a splint and the application of pressure to the convex portion of the nose in case of a nasal fracture.

The herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1), which produces a cold sore (fever blister), has an incubation period of

2-12 days

Which is the antibiotic of choice used to treat acute bacterial rhinosinusitis (ABRS)?

Amoxicillin Antibiotics should be administered as soon as the diagnosis of ABRS is established. Amoxicillin-clavulanic acid is the antibiotic of choice. For clients who are allergic to penicillin, doxycycline or respiratory quinolones, such as levofloxacin or moxifloxacin, can be used. Other antibiotics previously prescribed to treat ABRS, including cephalosporins such as cephalexin and cefuroxime, are no longer recommended because they are not effective in treating antibiotic-resistant organisms that are now more commonly implicated in ABRS.

Which of the following are clinical manifestations associated with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA)? Select all that apply.

Insomnia Arrhythmias (problem with the rate or rhythm of your heartbeat. It means that your heart beats too quickly, too slowly, or with an irregular pattern) Loud snoring Excessive daytime sleepiness Impotence

The nurse is caring for a client who has recurrent sinusitis. Which consideration could the nurse suggest to best decrease the frequency of infections?

Administer an over the counter decongestant The principle causes of sinusitis are the spread of infection from the nasal passages to the sinus and the blockage of normal sinus drainage. Interference with sinus drainage predisposes a client to sinusitis. Administering a decongestant opens the nasal passages for drainage. The other options can be helpful for a sinus infection, but opening the passages is best.

A client is scheduled for endotracheal intubation prior to surgery. What can the nurse tell this client about an endotracheal tube?

The ET tube will maintain your airway while you are under anesthesia An endotracheal tube provides a patent airway for clients who cannot maintain an adequate airway on their own. Tracheostomy tubes are inserted into a surgical opening in the trachea, called a tracheotomy. Clients receiving endotracheal intubation for the purpose of general anesthesia should not require long-term placement of the ET tube. Positive-pressure ventilators require intubation and are used for clients who are under general anesthesia. They are also used for clients with acute respiratory failure, primary lung disease, or who are comatose.

The nurse is caring for a client admitted to the ED with an uncomplicated nasal fracture. Nasal packing has been put in place. Which intervention should the nurse include in the client's care?

a. Apply an ice pack. b. Restrict fluid intake. c. Position the patient in the side-lying position. d. Apply pressure to the convex of the nose. Following a nasal fracture, the nurse applies ice and encourages the client to keep the head elevated. The nurse instructs the client to apply ice packs to the nose to decrease swelling. The packing inserted to stop the bleeding may be uncomfortable and unpleasant, and obstruction of the nasal passages by the packing forces the client to breathe through the mouth. This, in turn, causes the oral mucous membranes to become dry. Mouth rinses help to moisten the mucous membranes and to reduce the odor and taste of dried blood in the oropharynx and nasopharynx. Applying direct pressure is not indicated in this situation.