Bronchiestasis Case Studies Essay
CASE STUDY OF A PATIENT WITH BRONCHIECTASIS
INTRODUCTION
The respiratory system is divided into upper and lower respiratory system. The upper respiratory system refers to the nose, pharynx and associated structure while the lower respiratory system contains the larynx. Bronchiectasis is an uncommon type of chronic obstructive pulmonary lung disease. Bronchiectasis can be categorized as a chronic obstructive pulmonary lung disease manifested by airways that are inflamed and easily collapsible, resulting in air flow obstruction with shortness of breath, impaired clearance of secretions often with disabling cough, and occasionally hemoptysis.
In this case study, a patient is suffering from bronchiectasis. Bronchiestasis is further defined …show more content…
According to Porth (2005), it is characterized by permanent dilation of the bronchi and the bronchioles caused by destruction of muscle and elastic supporting tissue resulting from a vicious cycle of infection and inflammation. This disease is secondary to chronic infection and obstruction of the bronchial passage. There are many changes that occur such as edema formation, scarring of the tissues in the bronchial wall, inflammation and ulceration. Some of the common causes of bronchiectasis are cystic fibrosis, immune defects, and recurrent infections. All these causative factors impair the airway clearance system together with the host’s defense system and this leads to accumulation of the secretions in bronchi. The body has impaired ability to clear up secretions causes colonization and infection. Since the secretion harbors the microorganisms, it triggers the host’s body defense system to “respond through neutrophilic proteases, inflammatory cytokines, nitric oxide, and oxygen radicals” (www. emedicine.medscape.com) to counteract this reaction. These infections further damage the bronchi and the cycle of infection continues. These processes damage the muscular walls and the elasticity of the bronchial wall. This cause the bronchial walls to dilated and remain dilated since the elasticity is …show more content…
By sliding the hands medially, a small pinch of the skin is folded and the patient is asked to breathe deeply. FINDING: there was a symmetrical expansion of the posterior chest. * Tactile fremitus: is known as the vibrations that can be felt. This is felt using the base of the palm of fingers of one hand and touching the patient’s chest while he repeats the words “ninety nine”. It is started over the lung apex and palpated from one side to the other comparing the vibrations. “Fremitus I gradually decrease as the hand moves down the chest”. (Jarvis, 2004, pg122). FINDING: there is a decreased fremitus due to accumulation of the secretion in the bronchi. * Entire chest wall: using the fingers the chest wall is palpated to look for any tenderness, increased skin temperature and moisture, any masses or lumps. FINDING: there were no masses or lumps, however, the skin felt warm near the T10 spinal cord. PERCUSSION Lung Fields: Starting at the apices and continue to the inter spaces, making side to side comparison throughout the lung region. It is important to avoid the ribs an dthe
INTRODUCTION
The respiratory system is divided into upper and lower respiratory system. The upper respiratory system refers to the nose, pharynx and associated structure while the lower respiratory system contains the larynx. Bronchiectasis is an uncommon type of chronic obstructive pulmonary lung disease. Bronchiectasis can be categorized as a chronic obstructive pulmonary lung disease manifested by airways that are inflamed and easily collapsible, resulting in air flow obstruction with shortness of breath, impaired clearance of secretions often with disabling cough, and occasionally hemoptysis.
In this case study, a patient is suffering from bronchiectasis. Bronchiestasis is further defined …show more content…
According to Porth (2005), it is characterized by permanent dilation of the bronchi and the bronchioles caused by destruction of muscle and elastic supporting tissue resulting from a vicious cycle of infection and inflammation. This disease is secondary to chronic infection and obstruction of the bronchial passage. There are many changes that occur such as edema formation, scarring of the tissues in the bronchial wall, inflammation and ulceration. Some of the common causes of bronchiectasis are cystic fibrosis, immune defects, and recurrent infections. All these causative factors impair the airway clearance system together with the host’s defense system and this leads to accumulation of the secretions in bronchi. The body has impaired ability to clear up secretions causes colonization and infection. Since the secretion harbors the microorganisms, it triggers the host’s body defense system to “respond through neutrophilic proteases, inflammatory cytokines, nitric oxide, and oxygen radicals” (www. emedicine.medscape.com) to counteract this reaction. These infections further damage the bronchi and the cycle of infection continues. These processes damage the muscular walls and the elasticity of the bronchial wall. This cause the bronchial walls to dilated and remain dilated since the elasticity is …show more content…
By sliding the hands medially, a small pinch of the skin is folded and the patient is asked to breathe deeply. FINDING: there was a symmetrical expansion of the posterior chest. * Tactile fremitus: is known as the vibrations that can be felt. This is felt using the base of the palm of fingers of one hand and touching the patient’s chest while he repeats the words “ninety nine”. It is started over the lung apex and palpated from one side to the other comparing the vibrations. “Fremitus I gradually decrease as the hand moves down the chest”. (Jarvis, 2004, pg122). FINDING: there is a decreased fremitus due to accumulation of the secretion in the bronchi. * Entire chest wall: using the fingers the chest wall is palpated to look for any tenderness, increased skin temperature and moisture, any masses or lumps. FINDING: there were no masses or lumps, however, the skin felt warm near the T10 spinal cord. PERCUSSION Lung Fields: Starting at the apices and continue to the inter spaces, making side to side comparison throughout the lung region. It is important to avoid the ribs an dthe