Pneumonia

Patient: David Bonilla Patient age: 3 year-old-boy. Significant information about the patient’s condition: His mother brings David into the pediatrician office. He has had coughing and a runny nose for about 5 days that has been treated with saline nose sprays and a humidifier. He has a low-grade fever of about 101 degrees F for the past two days. He has been taking acetaminophen to keep down the fever. He attends daycare. The patient has no recurrent episodes of ear infections in the past,…

In the article, “Compressive Forces and Computed Topography-derived Positive End-expiratory Pressure in Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome” (Cressoni et al. 2014), the researchers' hypothesis was that there was a direct correlation between lung recruitability and positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP). This would validate the prevailing notion that higher PEEP is only for patients with higher lung recruitability. Previous studies have led to advancements in the field such as the switch from…

The aim of the project was to minimize the inappropriate use of physical restraint in the acute respiratory unit, which caters to about thirty-two to thirty-eight patients with acute respiratory issues, in the promotion of the patient safety and improving patient outcomes. In the beginning of the project, it was noted that the acute respiratory unit was one of the lowest performing units when it comes to the proper utilization of physical restraint. As was stated by HCPro.com (2015), using a…

Can you imagine having your lungs fill up with a sticky substance so its hard to breathe? This is what happens to patients with Cystic Fibrosis or CF. Along with the lungs CF affects the pancreas, digestive system, and other organs of the body. In normal lungs the mucus is thin and helps coat and protect the airways making it a lot easier to breathe. In Cystic Fibrosis the mucus that acts like a lubricant in and on our organs turns very thick and sticky. This makes the air ducts and the tubes in…

Disease: Strep throat Causative Agent: Streptococcus pyogenes Morphology of Causing Agent: The bacterium S. pyogenes is spherical and emerges in chain-like structures. Gram-staining reveals that this bacterium is gram positive since it shows up dark purple. Transmission: Strep throat is highly contagious and primarily spreads when airborne by coughing or sneezing. Diagnosis: The most common way to diagnose strep throat is by having a trusted doctor perform a rapid antigen test after collecting…

What is Asthma? Asthma is a chronic and sometimes considered a long term disease that inflames and narrows the airways of your lungs. Asthma causes many varieties of dangerous symptoms that can be extremely dangerous that can be worsened at any given time, making breathing very difficult. Unfortunately there is no known cure for asthma and those who have asthma never “grow” out of it they simply become dormant. However by working very closely with your primary doctor the two of you can manage…

Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome The patient in this case study had an onset of acute respiratory distress syndrome brought on by trauma. Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) is a disease state characterized by fluid buildup in the alveoli, making it difficult to oxygenate (MedlinePlus.gov). It is a life-threatening lung condition. The new definition and severity of ARDS are defined as PaO2/ FiO2 with a PEEP of 5+ (200-200) = mild, (100-200) = moderate, (<100) = severe…

Cystic fibrosis (CF) is a genetic and inherited disease that is life threatening. CF effects not only one’s breathing with continuous lung infections by lining the lungs with mucus, but can also trap infections by blocking the airway. The buildup of mucus effects the digestive system by preventing prevents the digestive enzyme process from breaking down food and obtaining nutrients. An infant that has been diagnosed with CF has inherited two copies of the defective CF gene, a copy from each…

Ron was seen today following the HRCT scan to assess for the significance of the crackles in the setting of his mild decrease in gas transfer factor. The HRCT showed multiple bilateral calcified pleural plaques consistent with his known past asbestos exposure, probably as a child, and some mild subpleural reticulation in the bi-basal regions noted, but no interstitial fibrotic change. The significance of these findings is uncertain and given that we have no past chest imaging that Ron can…

Thank you for referring Margaret along for ongoing management with her airways disease. As you are aware, I saw her as an inpatient at Warringal when she had a left total shoulder joint replacement done in November and since then, she has done very well. She has continued on with her Seretide 250/50 via an Accuhaler, but unfortunately, is noticing the emergence of a hoarse voice despite good oral hygiene. Symptomatically, she remains very stable in that her exercise tolerance is well and…