Rhinitis - inflammation and irritation of the mucous membranes of the nose. Often
coexists with other respiratory disorders.
Medications for rhinitis -
... [Show More] antihistamines, brompheniramine/pseudoephedrine,
cromolyn, oral decongestants,
saline spray, ipratropium, intranasal corticosteroid, leukotriene modifiers and
immunoglobulin E.
Antihistamines - most common treatment for sneezing, pruritis and rhinorrhea.
Used to treat rhinitis.
brompheniramine/pseudoephedrine/dextromethorphan - combo of antihistamines
and decongestants. Used to treat rhinitis.
Cromolyn - Mast cell stabilizer that inhibits the release of histamine and other
chemicals. used to treat rhinitis.
Ipratropium - inhalent given in each nostril. used for severe congestion. AVOID IN
PTS WITH HX OF EPITAXIS, GLAUCOMA, CATERACTS, AND ADRENAL
INFUFFICIENCY. Treats rhinitis.
Acute rhinitis - Occurs for less than 4 weeks
Chronic rhinitis - occurs for longer than 12 weeks.
Allergic rhinitis - seasonal or perennial, associated with exposure to airborne
particles
s/s rhinitis - rhinorrhea, nasal congestion, discharge, sneezing and pruritis of nose,
roof of mouth, throat, eyes and ears.
Flu - highly contagious viral infection that is spread by respiratory droplets.
contagious period is 24 hours before symptoms start and up to 5 days after they
begin.
s/s flu - headache, eye pain, cough, fever, fatigue, malaise, NVDTX flu - oral tamiflu, NSAIDS, fluids, cough suppressants, cough etiquette, home
quarantine until they are fever free for 24hrs or without use of antipyrectics
Prevention - includes vaccines that are tirvalent/quadrivalent vaccine that are not
live. Flu mist is less effective live vaccine in influenza A and B.
Obstructive sleep apnea - a disorder characterized by recurrent episodes of upper
airway obstruction and a reduction in ventilation.
Risk factors OSA - Obesity, male, postmenopausal, advanced age, altered airways.
s/s OSA - frequent loud snoring with breathing cessation for 10sec or longer at
least 5 times and hour. daytime sleepiness, significant other reports of sleep apnea
episodes
Provigil - medication used for OSA. reduces daytime sleepiness.
Triptil - increases respiratory drive and improves upper airway muscle tone. Treats
OSA.
Early s/s of laryngeal cancer - Hoarseness that lasts longer than 2 weeks,
burning/pain in throat, persistent cough.
Late S&S of laryngeal cancer - Dysphagia, halitosis, weight loss and general
malaise, weakness, mass in region of larynx/cervical adenopathy.
Nose bleed - hemorrhage from the nose caused by the rupture of tiny, distended
vessels in the mucous membrane of any area of the nose.
Most common site for nose bleed - anterior septom.
Tx nosebleed - direct pressure by pinching soft potion of the nose for 5-10 minutes
while sitting uptight and slightly forward. Nasal decongestants to vasoconstrict,
cauterization with silver nitrate or electrocautery, cotton tampon, Vaseline gauze
packing or balloon inflated catheter.
Pleurisy - inflammation of both layers of the pleurae (parietal and visceral)s/s pleurisy - sever, sharp, knife-like pain as the pt breathes in. deep breath, cough
and sneezing worsens pain. Pain occurs on one side and may radiate to shoulder or
abdomen. lessens as fluid develops and inflammation progresses.
Causes pleurisy - pneumonia, upper respiratory infection, tuberculosis, pulmonary
embolism or cancer. [Show Less]