breathing
Diseases Process
Patient instructed about to controlled copd complications; avoid heavy lifting, avoid outdoors when it is too cold, hot, or humid. High humidity might cause you to become fatigued more quickly. Avoid breathing in quickly and deeply through your mouth after coughing.
SN instructed pt that s/s of cardiac complications include diff breathing, activity intolerance, increasing edema, increased heart rate, crackles in lungs and retlessness. pt verbalizd 2/4 taught.
SN instructed patient to report any symptoms of anxiety such as feeling apprehensive, feeling powerless, having a sense of impending danger, panic or doom, having an increased heart rate, breathing rapidly (hyperventilation), sweating, trembling, and or feeling weak or tired to SN or MD immediately to help prevent further complications.
SN instructed that Breo Ellipta is used regularly as a long term (maintenance) treatment to prevent or decrease wheezing and trouble breathing caused by ongoing lung disease (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease-COPD, including chronic bronchitis and emphysema). Instructed that common side effects include, Headache, dry/irritated throat, hoarseness, runny nose, and coughing may occur as your body adjusts to the medication.
Instructed that medication Spironolactone is used to treat high blood pressure. Lowering high blood pressure helps prevent strokes, heart attacks, and kidney problems. It is also used to treat swelling (edema) caused by certain conditions (e.g., congestive heart failure) by removing excess fluid and improving symptoms such as breathing problems. Instructed that common side effects include, Drowsiness, dizziness, lightheadedness, stomach upset, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, or headache.
Instructed patient on signs and symptoms that indicate a need for suctioning include: Seeing mucus in the opening of the trach tube or hearing mucus in the airway Increased respiratory rate or effort Retractions (which is seen when the skin between the ribs pulls in while breathing.
SN instructed patient on arthropathy: Encouraged frequent changes of position. Assisted patient to move in bed, supporting affected joints above and below, instructed her to avoid jerky movements. Recommend that patient take warm bath or shower upon arising or at bedtime. Apply warm, moist compresses to affected joints several times a day. Monitor water temperature of compress, baths, and so on. Encouraged patient on stress management techniques such as progressive relaxation, biofeedback, visualization, guided imagery, self-hypnosis, and controlled breathing.Verbalized understanding.
SN instructed patient on ways to avoid acute exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease ( COPD ) by recognizing early warning signs and then taking action to stop them in their tracks. The best way to do this is to work with your health care provider on an action plan so you know what to do to treat an exacerbation before it becomes serious. SN instructed on early warning signs of an acute exacerbation: Wheezing or more wheezing than what’s normal for you, coughing more than usual, shortness of breath that is worse than usual, an increase in the amount of mucus, change in the color of your mucus to yellow, green, tan, or bloody, shallow or rapid breathing, more than what’s normal for you, fever, confusion or excessive sleepiness, and swelling in your feet or ankles. Patient nods head in understanding. Sn will continue to monitor.
SN explained that the symptoms / signs of congestive heart failure ( CHF ) may include: Shortness of breath ( also called dyspnea ) most commonly during activity, at rest, or while sleeping, which may come on suddenly and wake you up. You often have difficulty breathing while lying flat and may need to prop up the upper body and head on two pillows. You often complain of waking up tired or feeling anxious and restless. Blood backs up in the pulmonary veins ( the vessels that return blood from the lungs to the heart ) because the heart can't keep up with the supply. This causes fluid to leak into the lungs. Persistent coughing or wheezing, coughing that produces white or pink blood - tinged mucus. Fluid builds up in the lungs. Buildup of excess fluid in body tissues ( edema ) swelling in the feet, ankles, legs or abdomen or weight gain. You may find that your shoes feel tight.
SN explained that the problems with the veins in the legs may lead to chronic venous insufficiency ( CVI ). CVI means that there is a long-term problem with the veins not being able to pump blood back to your heart. When this happens, blood stays in the legs and causes swelling and aching. Two problems that may lead to chronic venous insufficiency are: Damaged valves. Valves keep blood flowing from the legs through the blood vessels and back to the heart. When the valves are damaged, blood does not flow as well. Deep vein thrombosis ( DVT ). Blood clots may form in the deep veins of the legs. This may cause pain, redness, and swelling in the legs. It may also block the flow of blood back to the heart. Seek immediate medical care if you have these symptoms. A blood clot in the leg can also break off and travel to the lungs. This is called pulmonary embolism ( PE ). In the lungs, the clot can cut off the flow of blood. This may cause chest pain, trouble breathing, sweating, a fast heartbeat, coughing (may cough up blood), and fainting. It is a medical emergency and may cause death. Call 911 if you have these symptoms. Healthcare providers call the two conditions,Deep vein thrombosis ( DVT ) and pulmonary embolism ( PE ), venous thromboembolism ( VTE ).