NU609 Advanced Health Assessment Assignments Unit 4 Discussion

Nasal Conditions

A 35-year-old woman with a history of asthma is complaining of nasal itching, sneezing, and rhinorrhea. She states her symptoms are worse in the spring and fall. She does have difficulty sleeping due to congestion. She does not smoke but does have 2 cats in the home. She does appear tired but no respiratory distress. Her vital signs are T98.8, R18, P88 and BP 128/80. Nasal turbinates are swollen, boggy and pale, bluish gray. Thin watery secretions are seen.

Based on this information what is the subjective data?

What information is the objective data?

Give an example of 2 questions you may want to ask this patient.

 

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Nasal Conditions

Introduction

If you’ve ever had a cold, you know how it can affect your nose. You might have a runny nose and sore throat on one hand and no symptoms whatsoever on the other. This is because there are so many different types of nasal conditions that can cause problems for people who suffer from them. Here’s an overview:

Sinusitis

Sinusitis is an inflammation of the sinuses. It can be caused by a cold or allergy, but it may also occur when there’s an infection in the nasal cavity. Symptoms include pain, facial pressure, headache and fever—and they tend to last for weeks or months.

Rhinitis

Rhinitis is the medical term for inflammation of the nasal passages. In this condition, you may experience runny nose, sneezing and congestion. It can be caused by allergies or colds; bacterial infections; or even an insect bite.

There are several treatment options available to treat rhinitis: decongestants (such as pseudoephedrine), antihistamines (e.g., loratadine) and antibiotics all work well to reduce symptoms in most cases.

Nasal polyps

Nasal polyps are small growths that occur on the nasal passages. They can be benign, meaning they don’t spread to other parts of your body, or malignant.

The treatment for nasal polyps depends on whether they’re benign or cancerous. If you have a benign nasal polyp and it has not grown large enough to cause problems with breathing, there is no need for surgery or radiation therapy. However, if you have a malignant nasal polyp that has grown into an abnormal tumor (a cancerous growth), then surgery will be necessary to remove it completely so that normal function can resume in its place.

Deviated septum

A deviated septum is a condition in which the cartilage of your nose is abnormally positioned, causing an abnormal airflow through your nose. This can cause problems with breathing and make it harder to breathe through your nose.

A deviated septum can also be caused by an injury or other trauma to the area, such as when you hit yourself in the face. The most common causes of a deviated septum include:

• Scarring after surgery for cancer treatment (such as nasal bone cancer)

• Nasal bone fracture due to trauma (e.g., falling down stairs)

• Traumatic brain injury that causes damage to nerves that control facial features

Symptoms include wheezing when you breathe through your mouth; thick mucus coming out of both nostrils; snoring at nighttime; bad breath during cold and flu season; frequent colds/flus

Colds

Colds are caused by viruses. These viruses can spread from person to person through coughing and sneezing, meaning that even if you don’t have direct contact with someone who is sick, you could still catch a cold.

Colds are contagious and often last for about three to seven days (although some people are more likely than others to get sick). There are over-the-counter medications that can help relieve symptoms of a cold; however, it’s important not to wait too long before seeking medical care if your symptoms persist beyond three days or so.

Takeaway:

Takeaway:

Nasal conditions are common, and they can be annoying. If you have a chronic nasal condition, see your doctor for treatment. There are many ways to prevent nasal disease.

Conclusion

If you’re going to have a cold or the flu, make sure to stay hydrated and eat plenty of soup. You might also consider taking an over-the-counter decongestant such as Sudafed or Robitussin DM. If you suspect sinusitis or rhinitis is the cause of your nasal congestion, see your doctor for an evaluation.