Essays on Respiratory Failure

COPD is a medical condition that is characterized by alteration in lung parenchyma, bronchitis, emphysema and narrowing of the respiratory passages. It occurs as a consequence to chronic inflammation reaction involving the respiratory tract. The mucous secretion and fibrosis associated with chronic inflammation, can cause blockage and narrowing of the airway. Bronchitis refers to inflammation of the inner lining of the lung, while, emphysema is a clinical condition that occurs following the long term destruction of lung parenchyma. Bronchitis and emphysema are both characteristic features of COPD. Destruction of lung parenchyma causes loss of alveolar attachment and decreases the ...

Describe the underlying pathology of COPD and the common pathological characteristics of the condition. Discuss the impact these pathological changes have on normal function, including how alveolar ventilation might be different in Mr Wenham compared to a normal individual. The hallmark pathological attributes of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) are one, poorly reversible airflow obstruction and two, a progressive atypical inflammatory response within the lungs. The abnormal inflammatory response denotes the responses of the innate and adaptive immune systems to long-standing exposure to noxious gases and particles especially cigarette smoke. Notably, all cigarette smokers have some degree of inflammation ...

Abstract

Ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) is an infection which often develops as a result of poor handling of mechanical ventilation. Such as, poor nursing practice in caring for patients with difficulty in breathing can lead to microorganisms entering patient’s body through a tube inserted especially via mouth and nose of the patient. When these microorganisms get into the respiratory system they cause lung infection which is referred to as ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP). In preventing this infection, it is important that nurses adopt best practices to reduce the incidence of VAP and provide quality care that is aimed at improving the ...

Introduction

Pulmonary edema (PE) is characterized by the accumulation of fluid in the parenchyma and air spaces of the lungs. Most often PE is associated with respiratory failure and impaired gas exchange. Globally, PE is known to be characterized by two major factors, the first is associated with the injury of the lung parenchyma which is termed as non-cardiogenic pulmonary edema. The second is associated with the failure of the left ventricle of the heart to release blood from the pulmonary circulation within the system and is termed as cardiogenic pulmonary edema (Glaus, Schellenberg , and Lang. 2010). The major cause ...

Pulmonary contusion (PC) is a common consequence of blunt trauma to the chest. PC occurs in 30-75% of cases of chest trauma, and in many cases this is further complicated by severe bone injuries of the chest wall. Despite much research into the subject, mortality and morbidity has not significantly improved in the past three decades. Advances in imaging have similarly failed to have any impact on outcomes.

The consequences of PC are manifold and include both local and systemic effects. Some of the local effects are: laceration of lung tissue, hemorrhage-filled alveoli, reduced compliance, increase in shunt fraction leading ...

Introduction to Pathophysiology and Nursing

Congestive heart failure and cardiomyopathy in general terms are complications of heart diseases: a good example is heart attack which damages heart muscles. Cardiomyopathy is a disease of the myocardium or heart muscle where the heart loses the ability to beat at a normal rhythm and pump blood normally. Cardiomyopathy and Congestive heart failure result from various complications and heart diseases such as heart valve disorders, arrhythmias and hypertension (Ghosh, 2010, p. 49). Congestive heart failure affects both right and left sides of the heart, although depending on severity of damage and the location, it may affect one side more than the ...

Abstract

The acute respiratory distress syndrome is a form of injury to the lungs that impedes the supply and uptake of oxygen from the alveoli resulting in a state of severe hypoxemia, dyspnea, anxiety, and tachypnea. This review has established that genetics may be playing a role in increasing one’s susceptibility to acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS. Moreover, biomarkers would also play a significant role in the diagnosis and treatment of the disease. However, it still remains unclear on the type of genes and biomarkers that play a role in causing ARDS. It has also been established that young children (less than 2 years ...

Oxygen and Respiratory Disease

Part 1: Introduction Oxygen and respiratory complications are closely associated with oxygen therapy. Long term oxygen treatment can help to make the quality of one’s life better. Oxygen therapy help COPD patients and those with hypoxaemia, low oxygen levels to live longer. Even if oxygen is prevalently used in hospitals, it has often been wrongly prescribed causing further complications to patients. The major indication for oxygen therapy is the respiratory failure. Respiratory failure involves the failure to keep up adequate gas exchange. Documentation in a number of hospitals fails to record the respiratory rate and other vital signs ...

Abstract

Aims: To evaluate the outcomes of NIV versus invasive mechanical ventilation in COPD patients. Data Source: Relevant articles were identified from the following journals CHEST, Respiratory Care, European Respiratory Journal, Annals of Internal Medicine, and AHC Media. Study selection: The articles identified consisted reports of two randomized controlled trials and three review articles which investigated the outcomes of NIV versus mechanical ventilation in patients with acute exacerbations of COPD, weaning of COPD patients on mechanical ventilation, and nocturnal management of COPD. Data extraction: The study reviewed meta-analytic reviews, prospective randomized control trials, and retrospective observational studies. ...

The patient was a 24-year-old black male who was brought to the emergency room via an ambulance on June 21 at 03:50 pm. The report indicated that it was a pedestrian versus vehicle accident. The state of the patient reported included acute lung injury, pulmonary contusion, deep road rash extending over right side of axillary region to the abdomen, deep avulsion to the right hip area and exposed muscles. Trauma alert team and the respiratory therapist were called to the bedside. The patient developed respiratory failure and immediately was intubated by the respiratory therapist with an endotracheal tube size 7.5 mm. ...

Medicine

Pre hospital care – paramedic This document outlines an analysis of the film “A Good Death” filmed at the Dunedin Hospital New Zealand. It was produced by Dr. Taylor who had a passion for end of life issues in patients with respiratory failure. This story embraced the turmoil of one of his patients, Martin Cavanagh.

Key features of the case

Key features of this case embody preparing to have a good death experience. Mr. Martin Cavanagh’s struggle was not only physical, but emotional. This emotional struggle apparently was transferred to his family who day after day just witnessed his agony. It would appear that after a ...

Brief Summary of the Case

The case study which was presented both in text and in video was the case of a Martin Cavanagh, a patient diagnosed with COPD or Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disorder, a common respiratory disorder that typically presents with breathing impairments, increased fatigability, and in severe conditions, respiratory failure. Based on the types and volume of information being presented in the video, it can be implied that the film was made both for families of terminally ill patients as well as the different members of a rehabilitation and medical team, to make people from these two groups aware, how crucial the Advanced Care Planning phase ...

Introduction

In this paper, the pathopyiology of syncope is discussed with emphasis on Mr. Peter’s medical history and factors that could have contributed to his syncope. Further, the paper discusses the colonoscopy and its findings, his right hemi colectomy and the complications arising from his fall.

Pathopysiology of Syncope

Syncope is the transient loss of memory that occurs when cerebral blood flow falls to below half the normal value resulting in a brief period of inadequate oxygen, glucose and other nutrients supply to the brain tissues (Hainsworth, 2004). Syncope occurs rapidly, lasts for a short duration and the patient almost always recovers spontaneously. Syncope ...

Introduction

Most educated people are aware that substance abuse – using recreational drugs or regularly consuming excessive amounts of alcohol can lead to addiction and/or cause a number of harmful effects. This paper discusses those effects which are wide ranging, can affect the health and the safety of the subject and the subject’s family and friends, and can lead to criminal activity and even the death of the subject.

The Research

- General definition of the problem. Excessive use of drugs and/or alcohol is collectively termed “substance abuse” – a recognized disease. A Florida Institute of Technology article “Facts about Alcohol and Drug Abuse” ( ...

Cocaine is obtained from the leaves of the coca plant. The drug stimulates the nervous system. It was first introduced as an anesthetic in medicine. The drug is usually snorted and enters the blood through the nasal membrane. Administration can also done through injection into the blood. The injected form of cocaine reacts faster in the body than the snorted one.

Crack is a strain of cocaine that is smoked as opposed to snorting. It reacts rapidly in the body and is processed from cocaine hydrochloride. It usually occurs in the form of rocks, chunks or chips. Most users prefer ...

SNAKE-BITE MORTALITY AND MORBIDITY IN INDIA

Mortality and morbidity should no longer be a common result of snake-bites in India but this health hazard is still a tragic problem. Montiero (et al., 2012) noted that although “snake-bite is an important and preventable health hazard” envenomations around the world are high and result in 10s of thousands of death every year. India is considered to have the highest numbers of poisonous snake-bites each year which result in medical problems, many due to complications from coagulation, resulting in thousands of needless deaths. Alirol (et al., 2010) stated that except for antivenom production “snake-bite envenoming . . . shares all the characteristics of a ...