Maria who is the patient in this scenario presents with a deep, green sputum-producing cough which admits that it started three weeks ago. According to her the over-the-counter medication she tried could not relief the cough as she had anticipated. She has a scratchy throat with no fever. With these symptoms, it is my belief that Maria is suffering from acute bronchitis. In this description, pathophysiology of acute bronchitis will be examined and identified. Also, the impact of gender as well as behavior on acute bronchitis will be discussed.
Respiratory Alterations
Proper understanding of the proper functioning of the respiratory system is key for nurses and other healthcare providers. This will enable them to figure out the presence of underlying pathophysiology associated with respiratory function alterations. Huether & McCance (2017) outlines that some of the signs and symptoms associated with respiratory alterations include cough and dyspnea which are the most commonly observed. Others are cyanosis, hemoptysis, unusual sputum, chest pain, abnormal breathing patterns, clubbing hyper and hypoventilation. The ability to asses and evaluate these signs and symptoms as well as the ability to carry out appropriate classification will enable them to make the right diagnosis hence appropriate management and treatment of the patients.
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Pathophysiology
Acute bronchitis is defined as a clinical condition that presents with a cough as a result of acute tracheal inflammation associated with characteristic large airways in the absence of pneumonia (Kinkade &Lang, 2016). According to Heuther and McCance (2017), it is an acute or inflammation of the airway or infection usually due to viral infection. It effects are mainly observed along the lower respiratory tract. On the upper respiratory tact, the effect can only be described as an acute sequela (Drabkins, 2015). Acute bronchitis-associated cough lasts upto 3 weeks as evidence from this case (According to Kinkade and Lang, 2016). As a result, the main as well as the most defining acute bronchitis symptom is the cough. Therefore, for patients with suspected acute bronchitis the primary diagnostic consideration is to rule out other conditions such as pneumonia. It si almost impossible to distinguish acute bronchitis from common cold but patients with acute bronchitis present with no fever (Kinkade & Lang, 2016). Prulent sputum production is a common occurrnce with no correlation with bacterial infection (Kinkade & Lang, 2016).
Age and Behavior’s Impact on Acute Bronchitis
Age and behavior are important risk factors for acute bronchitis. Both healthcare practitioners and patient should understand that their personal behaviors can have a significant influence on the chance of contracting acute bronchitis. Some of the risk factors for acute bronchitis that are closely associated with behavior include smoking, air pollutants inhalation, and exposure to dust, chemicals as well as fumes. Hanging around those with acute bronchitis is another risk (Huether&McCance, 2016).
The most common cause of acute bronchitis in both adults and children is viral agents although bacterial agents also fall culprits but less commonly. Bacterial acute bronchitis is associated with higher morbidity and mortality risk (Huether&McCance, 2016). This is because they are at a higher risk of bronchitis-related complications such as life-time lung damage and at their age they may find it difficult to neither clear the bronchitis or fight of the condition.
Conclusion
In this paper, the alterations associated with acute bronchitis, its pathophysiology, as well as the influence of age and personal behavior on the ability of one to contract the condition. Healthcare providers should play an important role by explaining to their patients the typical characteristics that are associated with acute bronchitis such as the duration that the cough lasts and its tendencies to drain the patient physically (Kinkade & Lang, 2016).
References
Drabkins, A. (2015). Acute bronchitis. The clinical advisor . Retrieved from Walden Library databases.
Huether, S.E., & McCance, K.L. (2017). Understanding pathophysiology (6 th ed.). St. Louis, MO: Mosby
Kinkade, S., & Lang, N.A. (2016). Acute bronchitis. American Family Physician 94( 7), 560-565. Retrieved from Walden Library databases.
