Management of Patients with Upper Respiratory Tract Disorders

A college student presents to the health clinical with signs and symptoms of viral rhinitis (common cold). The patient states, "I've felt terrible all week; what can I do to feel better?" Which of the following is the best response the nurse can give?

"You should rest, increase your fluids, and take Ibuprofen." Management of viral rhinitis consists of symptomatic therapy that includes adequate fluid intake, rest, prevention of chilling, and use of expectorants as needed. Warm saltwater gargles soothe the sore throat, and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as aspirin or ibuprofen, relieve aches and pains. Antibiotics are not prescribed because they do not affect the virus causing the patient's signs and symptoms. Topical nasal decongestants should be used with caution. The symptoms of viral rhinitis may last from 1 to 2 weeks.

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

2 to 12 days. HSV-1 is transmitted primarily by direct contact with infected secretions. The time period 0 to 3 months exceeds the incubation period. The time period 20 to 30 days exceeds the incubation period. The time period 3 to 6 months exceeds the incubation period.

The nurse is caring for a respiratory client who uses a noninvasive positive pressure device. Which medical equipment does the nurse anticipate to find in the client's room?

A face mask A face mask or other nasal devices are found in the client's room as this type of ventilation does not require intubation or a ventilator. A rigid shell is used with a negative pressure chamber and is not frequently used today. A nasal cannula is not used with the positive pressure device.

A client exhibits a sudden and complete loss of voice and is coughing. The nurse states

"Do not smoke and avoid being around others who are smoking." A sudden and complete loss of voice and cough are symptoms of laryngitis. The nurse instructs the client to avoid irritants, such as smoking. Voice rest is indicated. Whispering places stress on the larynx. Inhaling cool steam or aerosal aids in the treatment. Dry air may make the symptoms worse. A "tickle" in the throat that many clients report is actually worsened with cold liquids.

A client undergoes a total laryngectomy and tracheostomy formation. On discharge, the nurse should give which instruction to the client and family?

"Family members should continue to talk to the client." Commonly, family members are reluctant to talk to the client who has had a total laryngectomy and can no longer speak. To promote a supportive environment, the nurse should encourage family members to continue normal communication. The nurse should teach the client to clean the tracheostomy tube with hydrogen peroxide and rinse it with sterile saline solution, to consume oral fluids as desired, and to eat protein-rich foods to promote healing.

The nurse is obtaining a health history from a client with laryngitis. Which causative factor, stated by the client, is least likely?

"I was chewing ice chips all day long." Explanation: Chewing ice chips, a form of pica if in excess, is not likely to cause laryngitis. Allergies, smoking, and excessive use of the voice causing straining are frequent causes.

A 42-year-old female client is scheduled for endotracheal intubation prior to her surgery. Which of the following can the nurse instruct this client?

"The ET tube will maintain your airway while you're under anesthesia." Explanation: 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 comatose.

A surgeon completes a total laryngectomy. Postoperatively, the nurse explains to the patient's family that:

A permanent tracheal stoma would be necessary. A total laryngectomy will result in a permanent stoma and total loss of voice. A partial laryngectomy involves the removal of one vocal cord. The voice is spared with the supraglottic laryngectomy. Removal of a portion of the vocal cord occurs with a hemilaryngectomy.

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 has pharyngitis and will be providing self care at home. It is most important for the nurse to

Seek medical help if he experiences inability to swallow The client should seek medical assistance if swallowing is impaired to prevent aspiration. Following Maslow's hierarchy of needs, airway clearance is the highest priority.

A nurse is providing instructions for the client with chronic rhinosinusitis. The nurse accurately tells the client:

Sleep with the head of bed elevated. General nursing interventions for chronic rhinosinusitis include teaching the client how to provide self-care. These measures include elevating the head of the bed to promote sinus drainage. Caffeinated beverages and alcohol may cause dehydration. Saline irrigations are used to eliminate drainage from the sinuses.

Wound drains, inserted during the laryngectomy, stay in place until what criteria are met?

Drainage is Drains are removed when secretions are minimal, which usually is less than 30 mL for 48 straight hours.

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 his 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, postoperative bleeding, or a plugged tracheostomy tube.

Malignancy of the larynx can be a devastating diagnosis. What does a client with a diagnosis of laryngeal cancer require?

Emotional support Clients with a malignancy of the larynx require emotional support before and after surgery and help in understanding and choosing an alternative method of speech. It does not require a referral for counseling or vocational training. It also does not require family counseling.

You are doing preoperative teaching with a client scheduled for laryngeal surgery. What should you teach this client to help prevent atelectasis?

Encourage deep breathing every 2 hours. Explanation: The nurse should encourage a client undergoing laryngeal surgery to practice deep breathing and coughing every 2 hours while the client is awake. These measures prevent atelectasis and promote effective gas exchange. Monitoring for signs of dysphagia and providing meticulous mouth care every 4 hours are the interventions related to the client's caloric intake.

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

Ensure mouth breathing For a patient 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 mouth breathing. 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.

A client has a red pharyngeal membrane, reddened tonsils, and enlarged cervical lymph nodes. The client also reports malaise and sore throat. The nurse needs to assess first for:

Fever The signs and symptoms described are consistent with acute pharynigitis. The nurse needs to assess for a fever higher than 39.3°C. Findings will help to determine if the client requires antibiotic therapy. The client may also experience headache, myalgias, and nausea. The nurse needs to assess for these symptoms also, and symptomatic treatment would then be provided.

A nurse takes the initial history of a patient who is being examined for cancer of the larynx. Select the sign that is considered an early clinical indicator.

Hoarseness of more than 2 week's duration Hoarseness of more than 2 weeks' duration occurs in the patient with cancer in the glottic area, because the tumor impedes the action of the vocal cords during speech. The voice may sound harsh, raspy, and lower in pitch. Later symptoms include dysphasia, dyspnea (difficulty breathing), unilateral nasal obstruction or discharge, persistent hoarseness, persistent ulceration, and foul breath. Cervical lymph adenopathy, unintentional weight loss, a general debilitated state, and pain radiating to the ear may occur with metastasis.

A client reports nasal congestion, sneezing, sore throat, and coughing up of yellow mucus. The nurse assesses the client's temperature as 100.2°F. The client states this is the third episode this season. The highest priority nursing diagnosis is

Ineffective airway clearance related to excess mucus production All the listed nursing diagnoses are appropriate for this client. Following Maslow's hierarchy of needs, physiological needs are addressed first and, within physiological needs, airway, breathing, and circulation are the most immediate. Thus, ineffective airway clearance is the priority nursing diagnosis.

Select 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.

When caring for a client who has just had a total laryngectomy, the nurse should plan to:

develop an alternative communication method. A client with a laryngectomy can't speak, but still needs to communicate. Therefore, the nurse should plan to develop an alternative communication method. After a laryngectomy, edema interferes with the ability to swallow and necessitates tube (enteral) feedings. To prevent injury to the tracheal mucosa, the nurse should deflate the tracheostomy cuff or use the minimal leak technique. To decrease edema, the nurse should place the client in semi-Fowler's position.

As part of a primary cancer prevention program, an oncology nurse answers questions from the public at a health fair. When someone asks about laryngeal cancer, the nurse should explain that:

laryngeal cancer is one of the most preventable types of cancer. Laryngeal cancer is one of the most preventable types of cancer; it can be prevented by abstaining from excessive drinking and smoking. Inhaling noxious fumes, such as in polluted air, is a risk factor for laryngeal cancer. Roughly 80% of laryngeal cancer cases occur in men. Squamous cell carcinoma accounts for most cases of laryngeal cancer.

What client would be most in need of an endotracheal tube?

comatose clients Examples include those with respiratory difficulty, comatose clients, those undergoing general anesthesia, and clients with extensive edema of upper airway passages.

A patient playing softball was hit in the nose by the ball and has been determined to have an uncomplicated fractured nose with epistaxis. The nurse should prepare to assist the physician with what tasks?

Applying nasal packing A nasal fracture very often produces bleeding from the nasal passage. As a rule, bleeding is controlled with the use of packing.

The nurse is caring for a client who is demonstrating signs of increased respiratory distress related to laryngeal obstruction. The nurse is calling the physician to report on the client's condition. Which of the following will the nurse report? Select all that apply.

Arterial blood gases reporting a PaCO2 of 48 and a PaO2 of 84 Nasal flaring with abdominal retractions Lung sounds of stridor Increased respiratory effort The nurse would be calling to report signs of respiratory distress. This includes nasal flaring with abdominal retractions, stridor and an increased respiratory effort. Also arterial blood gases with an elevated CO2 and lower oxygen level indicates respiratory compromise. An increased respiratory rate occurs in respiratory compromise. Administration of a corticosteroid decreases inflammation over a period of time.

The nurse is caring for a client experiencing laryngeal trauma. Upon assessment, swelling and bruising is noted to the neck. Which breath sound is anticipated?

Audible stridor without using a stethoscope The nurse anticipates hearing audible stridor without needing a stethoscope due to the neck swelling narrowing the airway. Rhonchi in the bronchial region is heard lower in the airways and crackles are heard in the bases of the lungs. Diminished breath sounds that occur throughout are indicative of airway obstruction and not indicative of laryngeal swelling.

The nurse is caring for the client in the intensive care unit immediately after removal of the endotracheal tube. Which of the following nursing actions is most important to complete every hour to ensure that the respiratory system is not compromised?

Auscultate lung sounds. Major goals of intubation are to improve respirations and maintain a patent airway for gas exchange. Regular auscultation of the lung fields is essential in confirming that air is reaching the lung fields for gas exchange. All other options are important to provide assessment data.

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.

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

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 antibiotic of choice utilized in the treatment of acute bacterial rhinosinusitis (ABRS) includes which of the following?

Amoxicillin (Augmentin) Explanation: Antibiotics should be administered as soon as the diagnosis of ABRS is established. Amoxicillin-clavulanate (Augmentin) is the antibiotic of choice. For patients who are allergic to penicillin, doxycycline (Vibramycin) or respiratory quinolones, such as levofloxacin (Levaquin) or moxifloxacin (Avelox), can be used. Other antibiotics previously prescribed to treat ABRS, including cephalosporins such as cephalexin (Keflex) and cefuroxime (Ceftin), are no longer recommended as they are not effective in treating antibiotic-resistant organisms that are now more commonly implicated in ABRS.

A patient has herpes simplex infection that developed after having the common cold. What medication does the nurse anticipate will be administered for this infection?

An antiviral agent such as acyclovir Herpes labialis is an infection that is caused by herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1). It is characterized by an eruption of small, painful blisters on the skin of the lips, mouth, gums, tongue, or the skin around the mouth. The blisters are commonly referred to as cold sores or fever blisters. Medications used in the management of herpes labialis include acyclovir (Zovirax) and valacyclovir (Valtrex), which help to minimize the symptoms and the duration or length of flare-up.

A 62-year-old male client with a history of chronic laryngitis arrives at the clinic complaining of a hoarseness "he can't shake." The nurse is aware that this client may be at risk for which of the following conditions?

Laryngeal cancer The nurse knows that laryngeal cancer is most common in people 60 to 70 years of age, with men affected more frequently than are women. The client's history of chronic laryngitis may also predispose him to the development of laryngeal cancer. Sore throat, difficulty or pain on swallowing, fever, and malaise are the most common symptoms of adenoiditis. Enlarged adenoids may produce nasal obstruction, noisy breathing, snoring, and a nasal quality to the voice. This is another term for the common cold. Symptoms include sneezing, sore throat, and nasal congestions. Clients with a peritonsillar abscess experience difficulty and pain with swallowing, fever, malaise, ear pain, and difficulty talking.

You are caring for a client diagnosed with enlarged adenoids. What condition is produced by enlarged adenoids?

Noisy breathing Enlarged adenoids may produce nasal obstruction, noisy breathing, snoring, and a nasal quality to the voice. Incrustation of the mucous membranes in the trachea and the main bronchus occurs during the postoperative period following a tracheostomy. The long-term and short-term complications of tracheostomy include airway obstruction. These are caused by hardened secretions and erosion of the trachea.

Stiffness of the neck or inability to bend the neck is referred to as which of the following?

Nuchal rigidity Nuchal rigidity is the stiffness of the neck or inability to bend the neck. Aphonia is impaired ability to use one's voice due to distress or injury to the larynx. Xerostomia is dryness of the mouth from a variety of causes. Dysphagia is difficulty swallowing.

A patient has had a laryngectomy and was able to retain his airway, with no difficulty swallowing. There is no split of thyroid cartilage. The nurse would record this type of laryngectomy as which of the following?

Partial laryngectomy In a partial laryngectomy, a portion of the larynx is removed, along with one vocal cord and the tumor; all other structures remain. The airway remains intact, and the patient is expected to have no difficulty swallowing. During a supraglottic laryngectomy, a tracheostomy is left in place until the glottic airway is established. Hemilaryngectomy is done by splitting the thyroid cartilage of the larynx in the midline of the neck, and the portion of the vocal cord is removed with the tumor. During a total laryngectomy, a complete removal of the larynx is performed, including the hyoid bone, epiglottis, cricoids cartilage, and two or three rings of the trachea.