ACUTE BRONCHITIS INTRODUCTION

I. INTRODUCTION
Acute bronchitis is an inflammation of the large bronchi (medium-sized airways) in
the lungs that is usually caused by viruses or bacteria and may last several days or
weeks. Characteristic symptoms include cough, sputum (phlegm) production, and
shortness of breath and wheezing related to the obstruction of the inflamed
airways. Diagnosis is by clinical examination and sometimes microbiological
examination of the phlegm. Treatment for acute bronchitis is typically symptomatic.
As viruses cause most cases of acute bronchitis, antibiotics should not be used
unless microscopic examination of Gram stained sputum reveals large numbers of
bacteria.
Acute bronchitis can be caused by contagious pathogens. In about half of
instances of acute bronchitis a bacterial or viral pathogen is identified. Typical
viruses include respiratory syncytial virus, rhinovirus, influenza, and others.
Bronchitis may be indicated by an expectorating cough, shortness of breath
(dyspnea) and wheezing. Occasionally chest pains, fever, and fatigue or malaise
may also occur. Additionally, Bronchitis caused by Adenoviridae may cause systemic
and gastrointestinal symptoms as well. However the coughs due to bronchitis can
continue for up to three weeks or more even after all other symptoms have
subsided.
Acute bronchitis usually lasts a few days. It may accompany or closely follow
a cold or the flu, or may occur on its own. Bronchitis usually begins with a dry
cough, including waking the sufferer at night. After a few days it progresses to a
wetter or productive cough, which may be accompanied by fever, fatigue, and
headache. The fever, fatigue, and malaise may last only a few days; but the wet
cough may last up to several weeks. Should the cough last longer than a month,
some doctors may issue a referral to an otorhinolaryngologist (ear, nose and throat
doctor) to see if a condition other than bronchitis is causing the irritation. It is
possible that having irritated bronchial tubes for as long as a few months may
inspire asthmatic conditions in some patients.
In addition, if one starts coughing mucus tinged with blood, one should see a doctor.
In rare cases, doctors may conduct tests to see if the cause is a serious condition
such as tuberculosis or lung cancer. Acute bronchitis may lead to pneumonia.
Inncidence rate of Acute Bronchitis is 4.6 per 100; 14.2 million cases
annually, approximately 1 in 21 individual or 4.60% or 12.5 million people in USA
Incidence extrapolations for USA for Acute Bronchitis: 12,511,999 per year,
1,042,666 per month, 240,615 per week, 34,279 per day, 1,428 per hour, 23 per
minute, 0 per second. Note: this extrapolation calculation uses the incidence
statistic: 4.6 per 100 (NHIS96: acute bronchitis); 14.2 million cases annually
Deaths from Acute Bronchitis 388 deaths reported in USA 1999 for acute
bronchitis and bronchiolitis (NVSR Sep 2001) Death rate extrapolations for USA for
Acute Bronchitis: 387 per year, 32 per month, 7 per week, 1 per day, 0 per hour, 0

per minute, 0 per second. Note: this extrapolation calculation uses the deaths
statistic: 388 deaths reported in USA 1999 for acute bronchitis and bronchiolitis
(NVSR Sep 2001)

A. Current trends about the disaese condition

Advance Toward Early Diagnosis Of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

Researchers in Finland are reporting identification of the first potential "biomarker"

that could be used in development of a sputum test for early detection of chronic
obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). That condition, which causes severe
difficulty in breathing most often in cigarette smokers affects 12 million people
in the United States.
Vuokko L. Kinnula and colleagues point out that no disease marker for COPD
currently exists, despite extensive efforts by scientists to find one. Past research
pointed to a prime candidate surfactant protein A (SP-A), which has a major role
in fighting infections and inflammation in the lung.
The scientists compared levels of a variety of proteins obtained from the lung
tissues of healthy individuals, patients with COPD, and those with pulmonary
fibrosis. They found that the lungs of COPD patients contained elevated levels of SPA. The scientists also found elevated levels of SP-A in the sputum samples of COPD
patients. "This suggests that SP-A might represent a helpful biomarker in the early
detection of COPD and other related disorders," the article notes.

American Chemical Society (2008, December 17). Advance Toward Early Diagnosis
Of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease. ScienceDaily. Retrieved June 27, 2009,
from http://www.sciencedaily.com /releases/2008/12/081208085002.htm
B. Reasons for choosing such case for presentation
I choose this case as we all know that acute bronchitis is a recurrent and reversible
disease once develop, but it can easily prevented by avoiding their contributing
factor, such as allergens, dust, pollens, prolonged exposure to tobacco smokes and
air pollutants. It can be prevented by means of cessation of cigarette smoking and
by prevention of air pollutants, therefore this disease is disabling if not properly
prevented or avoided.

C. Objectives

NURSE CENTERED

Short term

After 4-5 hours of nursing interventions, the student nurse shall be able to:

Establish rapport with the patient

Identify the needs of the patient

Assess the general condition of the patient

Implement interventions that could help in maintaining the health of the

patient in a good condition

Explain to the patient the rationale for each interventions

Long term
After 2 days of nursing interventions, the student nurse shall be able to:

Gain the trust and cooperation of the patient

Know the general condition of the patient

Identify the precipitating and predisposing factors that causes the patients
condition

Give health teachings about the condition of the patient

Help the patient recover from her condition

CLIENT CENTERED

Short term
After 4-5 hours of nursing interventions, patient shall be able to:

Establish rapport with the student nurse

Listen and cooperate with the student nurse

Verbalize feelings

Ask questions regarding her condition

Participate on the activities or health teachings given by the student nurse

Able to understand the reason for such interventions

Long term
After 2 days of nursing interventions, the patient shall be able to:

Trust and have a good rapport with the student nurse

Verbalize her present condition/feelings

State the interventions given by the student nurse for the betterment of her
condition

Follows the activities or health teachings given by the student nurse

Able to have an improve condition/ gain her state of wellness