2-year-old Kyle has been diagnosed with whopping cough, also known as Pertussis. The American Thoracic Society (2015) defines Pertussis as a very contagious respiratory infection, caused by a bacterium called Bordetella pertussis. The bacterium causes infection of the lungs and airways and is transmitted through close personal contact, sneezing and coughing. The main symptom, a cough which then progresses to intense bouts of coughing. These bouts can be followed by vomiting, choking or a sharp intake of breath which causes a distinctive “whooping” sound. If not correctly managed Pertussis can lead to complications including: pneumonia, seizures, coma, brain damage and death.
Kyle is presenting with symptoms of rhinorrhea (runny nose), red-bloodshot …show more content…
This includes assessing and recording Kyles repertory rate, depth, style and pattern of breathing, oxygen saturation and situation, in order to determine how and to what extent the whopping cough has had on his breathing. (Jenkins, J 2008 and Slater, L 2015)
To determine this firstly you would observe the breathing, is Kyle mouth breathing, pursing the lips on expiration, using the abdominal or axillary muscles or flaring the nostrils? Nostril flaring and use of abdominal or axillary muscles in children, is highly indicative of acute respiratory distress. Also, what position is his body in? a patient bent over forward leaning on a table is a sign of respitory distress. (Government department of health 2016)
An assessment on the airway would also have to be taken, to determine whether Kyle is able to maintain his own airway. When measuring and recording respirations the rate, depth and pattern of breathing should be recorded. The depth (volume) of the breath is known as the tidal volume, this should be around 500ml. The rate should be regular with equal pause between each breath. (Mooney, G …show more content…
Look at the skin colour, if skin appears red or flushed or sweating, it may be a sign of fever or if he appears shaking and bluish indicates he may be hypotensive and cold. An objective assessment of taking Kyles temperature would be conducted, using a thermometer at his axillar (under the arm), as this is the recommended method for taking the temperature of young children. (Walker, S 2008 and Slater, L 2015)
The use of antibiotics is the main source of treatment for Kyles condition, this method of treatment directly corresponds to the treatment of the AOLs as, the effects of pertussis is causing the problems within his aol of breathing and controlling body temperature, and evidence suggests that a course of antibiotics is the most effective in treatment of whopping cough as it eradicates B. pertussis from the airway and limits the severity of disease. (Tozzi, A, Celentano, L, Atti, M and Salmaso, S 2006)
However, to treat the other symptoms directly effecting Kyles AOLs as per current data from the Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research
Kyle is presenting with symptoms of rhinorrhea (runny nose), red-bloodshot …show more content…
This includes assessing and recording Kyles repertory rate, depth, style and pattern of breathing, oxygen saturation and situation, in order to determine how and to what extent the whopping cough has had on his breathing. (Jenkins, J 2008 and Slater, L 2015)
To determine this firstly you would observe the breathing, is Kyle mouth breathing, pursing the lips on expiration, using the abdominal or axillary muscles or flaring the nostrils? Nostril flaring and use of abdominal or axillary muscles in children, is highly indicative of acute respiratory distress. Also, what position is his body in? a patient bent over forward leaning on a table is a sign of respitory distress. (Government department of health 2016)
An assessment on the airway would also have to be taken, to determine whether Kyle is able to maintain his own airway. When measuring and recording respirations the rate, depth and pattern of breathing should be recorded. The depth (volume) of the breath is known as the tidal volume, this should be around 500ml. The rate should be regular with equal pause between each breath. (Mooney, G …show more content…
Look at the skin colour, if skin appears red or flushed or sweating, it may be a sign of fever or if he appears shaking and bluish indicates he may be hypotensive and cold. An objective assessment of taking Kyles temperature would be conducted, using a thermometer at his axillar (under the arm), as this is the recommended method for taking the temperature of young children. (Walker, S 2008 and Slater, L 2015)
The use of antibiotics is the main source of treatment for Kyles condition, this method of treatment directly corresponds to the treatment of the AOLs as, the effects of pertussis is causing the problems within his aol of breathing and controlling body temperature, and evidence suggests that a course of antibiotics is the most effective in treatment of whopping cough as it eradicates B. pertussis from the airway and limits the severity of disease. (Tozzi, A, Celentano, L, Atti, M and Salmaso, S 2006)
However, to treat the other symptoms directly effecting Kyles AOLs as per current data from the Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research