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Full Details of Pathophysiology of Upper Tract Respiratory Disease
Full Details of Pathophysiology of Upper Tract Respiratory Disease
The inflammation of the tonsils occurs when bacteria attack the lymphoid tissue on the tonsils, the most common bacteria is the group A streptococcus.
This will then proceed to a reaction in the immune system as it will fight with this foreign invader, then to a result where the tonsils will inflame as it’s sign of infection.
Epistaxis
It refers to a severe nosebleed or hemorrhage from the nose.
Pathophysiology
Epistaxis may be spontaneous or may result from trauma (that is usually because of nose pricking). It is most commonly originating in the anterior portion of the nasal cavity in adults, and
tends to originate in the posterior portion and be more severe in adults.
And when it is dry it will lead to a crust formation, with the person trying to remove the crusts (booger) by pricking, rubbing or blowing. Thus it will bleed.
Systemic causes are less common, such that of hypertension, heatstroke or renal disease.
Complications: Rhinitis, Maxillary and frontal sinusitis, Hem tympanum, otitis media.
Pharyngitis
Acute pharyngitis is a sudden painful inflammation of the pharynx, the back portion of the throat that includes the posterior third of the tongue, soft palate, and tonsils. It is commonly referred to
as a sore throat. Because of environmental exposure to viral agents and poorly ventilated rooms, the incidence of viral pharyngitis peaks during winter and early spring in regions that have warm
summers and cold winters. Viral pharyngitis spreads easily in the droplets of coughs and sneezes, as well as from unclean hands that have been exposed to the contaminated fluids.
Pathophysiology
Viral infection causes most cases of acute pharyngitis. Responsible viruses include the adenovirus, influenza virus, Epstein–Barr virus, and herpes simplex virus. Bacterial infection accounts
for the remainder of cases. Streptococcal pharyngitis warrants the use of antibiotic treatment. When GAS causes acute pharyngitis, the condition is known as strep throat. The body responds
by triggering an inflammatory response in the pharynx. This results in pain, fever, vasodilation, edema, and tissue damage, manifested by redness and swelling in the tonsillar pillars, uvula,
and soft palate. A creamy exudate (a mass of cells and fluid that has seeped out of blood vessels or an organ, especially in inflammation. ) may be present in the tonsillar pillars.
Uncomplicated viral infections usually subside promptly, within 3 to 10 days after onset. However, pharyngitis caused by bacteria, such as GAS, is a more severe illness. If left untreated, the
complications can be severe and lifethreatening.
Complications: include rhinosinusitis, otitis media, peritonsillar abscess, mastoiditis, and cervical adenitis. In rare cases, the infection may lead to sepsis, pneumonia, meningitis, rheumatic
fever, and glomerulonephritis (Buensalido, 2019a).
Laryngitis
Inflammation of larynx.
Pathophysiology
Due to etiological factor;
The mucosa of larynx becomes congested and may become oedematous;
A fibrinous exudate may occur on the surface;
Signs and symptoms;
Sometimes infection involves the perichondrium of laryngeal cartilages producing perichondritis.
Etiology Assessment findings Treatment NSG Diagnosis Diagnostic Tests
Predisposing factors o Voice rest - Ineffective breathing o History taking
(Non-modifiable): Caused by a viral o Inflamed larynx o Steam inhalation pattern related to the o Physical examination
- All Age groups organism in a few o Dysphonia o Fluid intake
inflammatory process in o X-ray on the neck and
- Gender cases, allergic or o Dysphagia o Avoid smoking and cold chest
- History of GERD psychological. o Humidification the respiratory tract. o CBC
o Dyspnea
- Age o Increase intake of fluid - Ineffective airway o Biopsy
o Anorexia
- History of smoking Gastroesophageal o Fever o Voice rehabilitation clearance related to o Laryngoscopy
- History of breathing reflux may be a Drugs: mechanical obstruction o
- triggering event - Antifungal or antibiotics for of the airway secretions
bacterial and fungal infection
and increased
- Short course of steroids like
Precipitating factors dexamethasone may be used to production of
(modifiable): decrease the inflammation and secretions.
- Exposure to irritants shorten the course the course of - Anxiety related to the
such as cigarette symptoms disease experienced by
smoke, acid reflux - H2 blockers such as zantac or
the child.
(reflux/heartburn) Prilosec for a period of 4-6 weeks in
case of GERD -
- Extremely cold
weather - Analgesic such as ibuprofen,
- Excess alcohol acetaminophen
consumption - Cough suppressant
- Having respiratory -
infection such as
cold and flu
Atelectasis
Atelectasis refers to closure or collapse of alveoli and often is described in relation to chest x-ray findings and clinical signs and symptoms. Atelectasis may be acute or chronic and
may cover a broad range of pathophysiologic changes, from microatelectasis (which is not detectable on chest x-ray) to macroatelectasis with loss of segmental, lobar, or overall
lung volume. The most commonly described is acute atelectasis, which occurs most often in the postoperative setting usually following thoracic and upper abdominal procedures
or in people who are immobilized and have a shallow, monotonous breathing pattern. Excess secretions or mucus plugs may also cause obstruction of airflow and result in
atelectasis in an area of the lung. Atelectasis also is observed in patients with a chronic airway obstruction that impedes or blocks the flow of air to an area of the lung (e.g.,
obstructive atelectasis in the patient with lung cancer that is invading or compressing the airways). This type of atelectasis is more insidious and slower in onset.
Pathophysiology
Atelectasis may be described as either nonobstructive or obstructive. Non-obstructive atelectasis occurs in adults as a result of reduced ventilation. Obstructive atelectasis
results from any blockage that impedes the passage of air to and from the alveoli, reducing alveolar ventilation. Obstructive atelectasis is the most common type and
results from reabsorption of gas (trapped alveolar air is absorbed into the bloodstream); no additional air can enter into the alveoli because of the blockage.
As a result, the affected portion of the lung becomes airless and the alveoli collapse. Causes of atelectasis include foreign body, tumor or growth in an airway, altered
breathing patterns, retained secretions, pain, alterations in small airway function, prolonged supine positioning, increased abdominal pressure, reduced lung volumes due to
musculoskeletal or neurologic disorders, restrictive defects, and specific surgical procedures (e.g., upper abdominal, thoracic, or open heart surgery).
Patients are at high risk for atelectasis postoperatively because of several factors. A monotonous, low tidal breathing pattern may cause small airway closure and alveolar
collapse. This can result from the effects of anesthesia or analgesic agents, supine positioning, splinting of the chest wall because of pain, or abdominal distention. Secretion
retention, airway obstruction, and an impaired cough reflex may also occur, or patients may be reluctant to cough because of pain.
The mechanisms and consequences of acute atelectasis in postoperative patients. Atelectasis resulting from bronchial obstruction by secretions may also occur in patients
with impaired cough mechanisms (e.g., musculoskeletal or neurologic disorders) as well as in those who are debilitated and confined to bed. In addition, atelectasis may
develop because of excessive pressure on the lung tissue (i.e., compressive atelectasis), which restricts normal lung expansion on inspiration.
Complications: Such pressure can be produced by a pleural effusion (fluid accumulating within the pleural space), a pneumothorax (air in the pleural space), or a
hemothorax (blood in the pleural space). The pleural space is the area between the parietal and the visceral pleurae, and is normally a potential rather than an actual space.
Pressure may also be produced by a pericardial effusion (pericardium distended with fluid), tumor growth within the thorax, or an elevated diaphragm.
Pleural Effusion
Pleural effusion, a collection of fluid in the pleural space, is rarely a primary disease process; it is usually secondary to other diseases. Normally, the pleural space contains a small
amount of fluid (5 to 15 mL), which acts as a lubricant that allows the pleural surfaces to move without friction.
Pathophysiology
May be either transudative or exudative. Transudative effusions occur primarily in non-inflammatory conditions; is an accumulation of low-protein, low cell count fluid.
Exudative effusions occur in an area of inflammation; is an accumulation of high-protein fluid.
In certain disorders, fluid may accumulate in the pleural space to a point at which it becomes clinically evident. This almost always has pathologic significance. The
effusion can be a relatively clear fluid, or it can be bloody or purulent. An effusion of clear fluid may be a transudate or an exudate. A transudate (filtrate of plasma that
moves across intact capillary walls) occurs when factors influencing the formation and reabsorption of pleural fluid are altered, usually by imbalances in hydrostatic or
oncotic pressures.
The finding of a transudative effusion generally implies that the pleural membranes are not diseased. A transudative effusion most commonly results from heart failure. An
exudate (extravasation of fluid into tissues or a cavity) usually results from inflammation by bacterial products or tumors involving the pleural surfaces.
Complication: heart failure, TB, pneumonia, pulmonary infections (particularly viral infections), nephrotic syndrome, connective tissue disease, PE, and neoplastic tumors.
The most common malignancy associated with a pleural effusion is bronchogenic carcinoma.
Etiology Assessment findings Treatment NSG Diagnosis Diagnostic Tests
Predisposing factors - Treatment is aimed at underlying - Ineffective breathing o Chest X-ray or
(Non-modifiable): o Dyspnea, pleuritic cause (heart disease, infection). pattern related to ultrasound detects
- All Age groups chest pain, cough - Thoracentesis is done to remove collecting of fluid in presence of fluid.
- Gender o Dullness or flatness fluid, collect a specimen and pleural space o Thoracentesis
- History of heart to percussion relieve dyspnea. - biochemical,
problem o Decreased or absent - O2 therapy, mechanical bacterialogic, and
breath sounds ventilation cytologic studies of
- Bronchodilator (DOB) pleural fluid
Precipitating factors - Analgesic (Opioid drugs e.g., indicates cause.
(modifiable): tramadol, morphine)
- IV fluid, Blood transfusion to
enter hypovolemia.
Empyema / Pyothorax
An empyema is an accumulation of thick, purulent fluid within the pleural space, often with fibrin development and a loculated (walled-off) area where infection is located.
Pathophysiology
Most empyemas occur as complications of bacterial pneumonia or lung abscess. They also result from penetrating chest trauma, hematogenous infection of the pleural
space, nonbacterial infections, and iatrogenic causes (after thoracic surgery or thoracentesis).
At first the pleural fluid is thin, with a low leukocyte count, but it frequently progresses to a fibro-purulent stage and, finally, to a stage where it encloses the lung within a
thick exudative membrane (loculated empyema).
Hydrothorax
It is an accumulation of water fluid within the pleural space.
Pathophysiology
It has been suggested that an increased venous pressure in azygos veins might lead to leakage of plasma into the pleural space and the subsequent development of hepatic hydrothorax.
However, it is well known from patients with congestive heart failure, that elevated systemic venous pressures without pulmonary venous hypertension do not give rise to pleural
effusions. In addition, the leakage of pleural fluid due to increased blood flow in azygos veins fails to explain the right-side predomination of hepatic hydrothorax.
Hemothorax
An accumulation of blood within the pleural space.
Pathophysiology
Bleeding into the hemithorax may arise from diaphragmatic, mediastinal, pulmonary, pleural, chest wall and abdominal injuries. Each hemithorax can hold 40% of a patient's circulating
blood volume. Studies have shown that injury to intercostal vessels (e.g., internal mammary arteries and pulmonary vessels) lead to significant bleeding requiring invasive
management. Early physiologic response of a hemothorax has hemodynamic and respiratory components. The severity of the pathophysiologic response depends on the location of the
injury, the patient's functional reserve, the volume of blood, and the rate of accumulation in the hemithorax. In the early response, acute hypovolemia leads to a decrease in preload, left
ventricular dysfunction and a decrease in cardiac output. Blood in the pleural space affects the functional vital capacity of the lung by creating alveolar hypoventilation, V/Q mismatch, and
anatomic shunting. A large hemothorax can lead to an increase in hydrostatic pressure which exerts pressure in the vena cava and pulmonary parenchyma causing impairment in preload
and increase pulmonary vascular resistance. These mechanisms result in tension hemothorax physiology and cause hemodynamic instability, cardiovascular collapse, and death.
Pneumothorax
Air in the pleural space occurring spontaneously or from trauma. In Pt with chest trauma, it is usually the result of a laceration to the lungs parenchyma, tracheobronchial tree, or
esophagus. The Pt’s clinical status depends on the rate of air leakage and size of wound. As it’s classified into three;
Simple pneumothorax (Spontaneous) – sudden onset of air in the pleural space with deflation of the affected lungs in the absence of trauma.
Traumatic Pneumothorax (Open) – sucking wound of chest, it implies an opening in the chest wall large enough to allow air to pass freely in and out of thoracic cavity with
each attempted respiration.
Tension pneumothorax – buildup of air under pressure in the pleural space resulting in interference with filling of both the heart and lungs.
Pathophysiology
When there is a large open hole in the chest wall, the Pt will have a “steal” in ventilation of other lung.
A portion of the tidal volume will move back and forth through the hole in the chest wall, rather than the trachea as it normally does.
Spontaneous pneumothorax is usually due to rupture of a sub-pleural bleb. This may occur secondary to chronic respiratory disease or idiopathically. May occur in healthy
people, particularly in thin, white males and those with family history of pneumothorax.
Complications: Acute respiratory failure, and Cardiovascular collapse with tension pneumothorax.
Etiology Assessment findings Treatment NSG Diagnosis Diagnostic Tests
Predisposing factors - Surgical intervention by Pleurodesis - Ineffective breathing o Chest X-ray or
(Non-modifiable): - Due to rupture of o Hyper resonance; or thoracotomy with resection of pattern related to air in ultrasound detects
- All Age groups BLEB. diminished breath apical blebs is advised for Pt with the pleural space. presence of air.
- Gender - Puncture of pleural sounds recurrent spontaneous - Impaired gas exchange o
- History of cavity by foreign o Reduced mobility of pneumothorax. related to atelectasis and
pneumothorax object e.g., wound affected half of - Needle aspiration or chest tube collapse of lung
stab, gunshot thorax drainage may be necessary to
- Due to too much o Tracheal deviation achieve re-expansion of collapsed
Precipitating factors away from affected lung if greater than 50%
air increased of +
(modifiable): side in tension pneumothorax.
atmospheric
pressure. pneumothorax.
o Dyspnea