(^100) Medical-Surgical Nursing Demystified
- Cyanosis.
- Clubbing of the fingers.
INTERPRETING TEST RESULTS
- Culture and sensitivity of sputum to identify bacteria and appropriate anti-
biotics. - Shadows in affected area of the lungs on the chest x-ray.
- CT scan or high-resolution CT will show areas of bronchiectasis.
- Decreased lung vital capacity on pulmonary function test.
TREATMENT
Treatment is focused on getting enough oxygen to meet current needs of the patient,
expel mucous, and treat infections.- Supplemental oxygen to help meet body’s needs.
- Postural drainage to assist with drainage of secretions.
- Chest PT to loosen secretions.
- Remove excessive secretions during a bronchoscopy.
- Administer bronchodilators to help keep airways open:
- albuterol, levalbuterol
- Administer antibiotics to treat infection:
- selected based on the results of a culture and sensitivity study
NURSING DIAGNOSES
- Ineffective airway clearance
- Imbalanced nutrition: less than what the body requires
- Impaired gas exchange
NURSING INTERVENTION
- Monitor respiratory rate, effort, breath sounds, skin color, and use of acces-
sory muscles.