Week 4 Assignment

Cystic fibrosis
Cystitis fibrosis is a disorder that is associated with genetic factors. It causes the
mucous gland to produce thicker mucous than usual, accumulating. This mucous
accumulation leads to severe complications. It affects the digestive system, exocrine glands,
and lungs (Ward & Hisley,2009). The disease presents with a cough which can be dry or
productive, wheezing due to mucous obstruction and narrowing of the airway, breathlessness,
regular lungs infections- which occur time to time, difficulty excising, blocked nose. weight
loss, constipation, smelly and greasy stool (Ward & Hisley, 2009). Although this disease does
not have a cure, it can be managed and prolong patient lifespan; this is done by loosening and
removing thick mucus from the lung, treating nasal blockage using drugs such as
bronchodilators and antibiotics, good nutrition, and rehydration. Parents are advised to
rehydrate, provide good nutrition take the child to the hospital for treatment (Ward &
Hisley,2009).
Sinusitis
This is a paranasal sinus infection caused by bacteria, viruses, pollutants such as
chemicals, and fungi. There are four types: frontal, ethmoid, sphenoid, and maxillary sinus.
Clinical presentations include fevers, sore throat, facial pains, pressure, headache, general
body malaise, halitosis, and nasal discharge (Ward & Hisley,2009). Management depends on
the causes and how long the condition has lasted. Although viruses cause most sinuses,
antibiotics are given due to secondary infection. Other drugs include antipyretic, analgesic,
nasal decongestants, mucolytic, oral vasoconstrictors, corticosteroids, nasal sprays, and
antihistamines. In severe cases, surgical procedures are advised, such as antrostomy, external
sphenoethmoidectomy, and functional endoscopic sinus surgery. Parents’ advice to increase
fluid intake to the child, avoid a cold environment, promote good oral hygiene, and teach
3
their children to avoid blowing the nose sneezing only when the mouth is open (Ward &
Hisley,2009).
Nasopharyngitis
This is a common infection caused by the virus. Many different viruses can cause it,
and the symptoms usually resolve within two weeks. This infection is spread through
respiratory droplets, cough and sneezing, touching of contaminated places, by saliva, drink
sharing and kissing, hugging, and shaking hands (Ward & Hisley,2009). Clinical presentation
includes pain in general body muscles, coughing, nasal congestion, sneezing, running nose,
fatigue, body malaise, watery eyes, itchiness to the eyes, headache, throat irritation, fevers,
and loss of smell. Management includes nasal washing using salt and rehydration (Ward &
Hisley,2009). Drugs such as analgesics, antihistamines, cough medication, decongestants,
nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs may be used. Parents are advised on proper rehydration
of their children, washing their hands frequently, avoiding touching the face, washing of toys,
keeping the household clean, giving their children a balanced diet, and taking them to the
hospital when they suspect illness (Ward & Hisley,2009).
Croup syndrome
Also called laryngotracheobronchitis, a common acute viral illness affecting
pediatrics upper airway. Children between three months and five years are mostly affected.
This illness affects more boys than girls, although it may be associated with familial history.
The syndrome presents with a barking cough which is seal-like, hoarseness, inspiratory,
stridor’s, respiratory distress of valuable degree, fevers, difficulty breathing, rhinorrhea, and
lower chest wall in drawing. The main causative agent is the viruses spread by contaminated
hands or direct inhalation by cough or sneezing (Ward & Hisley,2009). The prognosis is
4
excellent, recovery is always complete, and symptoms resolve within three to seven days.
Treatment includes drugs such as dexamethasone and steroids, which are potently used, in
severe cases, a child is admitted rehydrated through intravenous fluids and oxygen to relieve
hypoxia Parents are advised on prevention measures which include regular hand and leg
washing even between the toes and the fingers, teaching the children on how to cover their
mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing, providing a balanced diet to their children and
enough rehydration (Ward & Hisley,2009).
Respiratory syncytial virus.
The respiratory syncytial virus is the leading cause of severe respiratory infection in
children and infants. It commonly causes pneumonia and bronchiolitis in children under 1
year. This syndrome presents with audible wheezing, choking, vomiting, poor sleeping,
anorexia, irritability, fever, fast breathing, coughing, chest retraction, rales, and sometimes
the child may be in respiratory distress (Ward & Hisley, 2009). This disease can be lifethreatening
to children with congenital anomalies such as congenital heart diseases,
immunosuppressed, immunodeficiency, or bronchopulmonary dysplasia defects. The
management of this disease also depends on severalty. In mild disease, supportive treatment
is adopted, such as giving antipyretics, oxygen therapy, airway suction, pulmonary inhalation
therapy. Ribavirin aerosol is used in severe cases. Recovery is one-two week (Ward &
Hisle2009). Parents are advised on prevention measures which include teaching children on
regular washing of hands, minimizing the number of visitors to the inborn, having their
children vaccinated on influenza virus, minimizing interaction of preschoolers with younger
siblings, avoiding crowded areas and enough rest to make the child comfortable (Ward &
Hisley,2009).
5
Pertussis
This is, also referred to as (whooping cough) is a type of respiratory disease that
affects the respiratory tract characterized by barking cough caused by Bordetella pertussis.
Pertussis is termed a highly contagious acute bacterial infection that spreads directly by small
droplets that come from the nose and mouth of the infected person (Ward & Hisley,2009).
Pertussis affects mostly preschoolers, newborns, and also infants’.This disease is more
common in girls than boys. The primary clinical presentation includes nasal congestion,
running nose, mild fever, lacrimation, sneezing, and redding of eyes in the early stages.
After two to four weeks of infestation, symptoms changes to annoying cough,
respiratory distress, vomiting after coughing, gasping of air, choking, and apneas. Treatment
includes both supportive and curative with the main goal of reducing the number of
paroxysms and the severity of the cough. Respiratory assistance is highly adopted, such as
using oxygen, giving antimicrobials, avoiding things that provoke a cough, hydration, and
good nutrition (Ward & Hisley,2009). Parents are advised on proper rehydration of their
children, maintaining a good and balanced diet, isolating suspected cases, and taking their
children to the hospital for vaccination(Ward & Hisley,2009).
Tuberculosis
Tuberculosis is an infectious disease caused by mycobacterium tuberculosis; it mostly
affects the lung parenchyma and other body areas, such as lymph nodes. This disease is
transmitted through inhalational droplets of an infected person (Ward & Hisley,2009). People
with tuberculosis presents with weight loss, fatigue, night sweats, low-grade fever, anorexia,
dyspnea, chest tightness, nonproductive cough, which is persistent, sputum with blood, chest
pains, fevers, and chills (Ward & Hisley,2009). Management of the disease includes taking
6
anti-tuberculosis drugs for 6 months. Supportive treatments like analgesic, antipyretic, and
antihistamines are used. (Ward & Hisley,2009). Parents are advised on preventive measured,
which includes teaching their children on proper hand hygiene, the opening of windows when
using public transport, finishing drugs in case of a positive diagnosis, avoiding crowded
areas, proper rehydration, and giving them a balanced diet (Ward & Hisley, 2009).
References
7
Ward, S. L., & Hisley, S. M. (2009). Maternal-child Nursing Care: Optimizing outcomes
for mothers, children, & Families. F. A. Davis Company. ISBN:
139780803628137
.