Respiratory Care Plan
Respiratory Care Plan
65-year-old female patient reports to the clinic today stating that she has been experiencing wheezing, shortness of breath, and coughing at least once daily. Patient further states that she is struggling to speak without pausing her speech to catch her breath and states affirms that she has taking her medication (albuterol) once today.
Chief Complaint: Severe wheezing, shortness of breath, and coughing at least once daily.
History of Present Illness: Patient presents repeated asthma attacks for the past 2 months (averaging more than 4 times per week). There is a record of a MVA 10 weeks ago, followed by a post traumatic seizure 2 weeks after the initial accident. Patient started on anticonvulsant drug Phenytoin. Negative seizure activity reported after commencement of drug therapy. Respiratory Care Plan
Medical History: History of episodic asthma attacks since the patient was in early 20s. Patient currently taking Theophylline BID and an Albuterol Inhaler PRN. Patient was diagnosed with mild congestive heart failure 3 years ago. Patient placed on sodium restrictive diet and Hydrochlorothiazide BID. Last year the patient was placed prescribed Enalapril BID due to worsening CHF. As a result, symptoms effectively controlled last year.
Surgical History: Patient denies
Allergies: NKDA
Medication List:
· Theophylline SR Capsules 300 mg PO BID for asthma
· Albuterol Inhaler, PRN for asthma
· Phenytoin SR Capsules 300 mg PO QHS for seizures
· Hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ) 50 mg PO BID for congestive heart failure (CHF)
· Enalapril 5 mg PO BID for congestive heart failure (CHF)
Significant Family History: Patient’s father died at age 59 related to complications with kidney failure secondary to HTN. Patient’s mother died at age 62 as a result of CHF complications. Respiratory Care Plan
Social History: Denies being a smoker; denies alcohol. Patient admits to caffeine use: 4 cups of coffee and 4 diet colas per day.
Review of Symptoms: Patient was positive for shortness of breath, coughing, and wheezing and exercise intolerance. Patient denies headache, swelling in upper and lower extremities and/or seizures.
Objective Data:
Vital Signs: BP 171/94, HR 122, RR 31, T 96.7 F, Wt 145, Ht 5’3” BMI 26.2
*VS after Albuterol breathing treatment – BP 134/79, HR 80, RR 18
Physical Assessment Findings:
General: Well developed female appearing anxious
Integumentary: Skin pale, no bruising noted
HEENT: PERRLA, oral cavity without lesions, TM without signs of inflammation, no nystagmus noted
Cardiovascular: Regular rate and rhythm normal S1 and S2.
Respiratory: Bilateral expiratory wheezes Respiratory Care Plan
Gastrointestinal: Guaiac negative, abdomen soft, non-tender, non-distended with no masses
Genitourinary: Unremarkable
Musculoskeletal: +1 ankle edema on right, palpable pulses in all extremities
Neurological: A/OX3, all cranial nerves intact
Endocrine: Unremarkable
Hematologic: Unremarkable
Psychological: Patient anxious
Laboratory Test Results:
Actual Value Reference Value Conventional U.S. Unit
Na – 134 (134-142) mEq/L
K – 4.9 (3.7-5.1) mEq/L g/mL
BUN – 21 (6-25) mg/dL
CR – 1.2 (0.4-1.1) mg/dL
Glu – 110 (62-110) mg/dL
ALT – 24 (5-40) U/L
AST – 27 (5-40) U/L
Total Chol -190 (<265) mg/dL *women >50 yr Respiratory Care Plan
CBC – WNL
Theophylline – 6.2 (5-20) ug/mL
Phenytoin – 17 (10-20) ug/mL
(Fischbach & Dunning, 2017)
Diagnostic Test Results:
Chest Xray – Blunting of the right and left costophrenic angles
Peak Flow – 75/min; after Albuterol – 102/min
FEV1 – 1.8 L; FVS – 3.0 L; FEV1/FVC – 60%
Assessment:
J45.31 Mild persistent asthma with (acute) exacerbation
I50.43 Acute on chronic combined systolic (congestive) and diastolic (congestive) heart failure
J44.9 Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, unspecified Respiratory Care Plan
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Plan of Care:
Diagnosis: J45.31 Mild persistent asthma with (acute) exacerbation
Education: Asthma is a chronic inflammatory disorder of that affects the lungs. Asthma causes chest tightness, coughing, wheezing and shortness of breath. Being exposed to things in the environment, like mold or dampness, some allergens such as dust mites, and secondhand tobacco smoke have all been linked to developing asthma and asthma exacerbation (CDC, 2019). Environmental and occupational factors have also been linked to asthma.
Goals: One goal for asthma management would be to prevent asthma exacerbations. Factors such as pollen and dusk can exacerbate the condition and cause further complications such as an asthma attack. Another goal for would be to limit stress. The patient came into the clinic very anxious. Stress-induced asthma can make inflammation worse, triggering breathing difficulties in the patient which could also lead to an asthma attack. Respiratory Care Plan
Therapeutic Management: Patients should take prescribed medications and adhere to medication regimen. Reducing stress and avoiding air pollution and allergens that may cause a flare in the condition. Patients should seek medical treatment immediately if their symptoms persist and/or get worse (CDC, 2019).
Evaluation: Individuals with asthma should monitor their breathing and follow up with their PCP to evaluate their progress. Frequency of symptoms is another key feature of the evaluation, focusing on the number of times per week the patient experience symptoms and whether they occur during the day or night (Corren, 2020).
Diagnosis: I50.43 Acute on chronic combined systolic (congestive) and diastolic (congestive) heart failure
Education: Heart failure occurs when your heart muscle fails to pump blood as well as it should. According to the CDC (2019), it is estimated that 6.5 million adults in the United States suffer from this condition. Symptoms of CHF include, weight gain with swelling in the lower extremities, weakness, shortness of breath and difficulty breathing while lying down.
Goals: Some of the goals of treating heart failure are primarily geared toward decreasing the likelihood of exacerbation and/or disease progression. Limiting the symptoms of CHF thereby decrease the chances of mortality. Respiratory Care Plan
Therapeutic Management: Both early diagnosis and treatment of CHF can help improve the quality for people suffering. Treatment involves taking your medications as prescribed, reducing sodium intake, drinking less liquids, proper dieting and exercise to decrease weight, particularly in obese patients, etc.
Evaluation: People living with CHF should readily track their symptoms and discuss them with their PCP. Importance of recording fluid intake, weight and vital signs are all equally important.
Diagnosis: J44.9 Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, unspecified
Education: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease or “COPD,” refers to a collective of diseases that cause both breathing problems and problems with airflow blockage. Chronic bronchitis and emphysema are the two most common conditions of COPD. Similar to asthma, symptoms of this disease include dyspnea on exertion, wheezing, chest tightness, cough, etc.
Goals: The goals of effective COPD management include relief of symptoms, preventing disease progression and improving exercise tolerance to name a few.
Therapeutic Management: Management of COPD would rely on the use of bronchodilators such as Spiriva. Also, stopping smoking decreases a patient’s chances of exacerbation. Furthermore, lung therapies such as oxygen therapy and pulmonary rehab programs, could prove effective in the treatment of this disease (CDC, 2019).
Evaluation: It’s important that patients with COPD are followed by a pulmonolgist. Arterial blood gas analysis (ABG) and /or spirometry would be recommended by doctors to evaluate the function of the lungs. Patients should also monitor for an increase in symptoms that last without relief. Respiratory Care Plan
References
Centers for Diseases Control and Prevention (CDC). (2019). Asthma. Retrieved from https://www.cdc.gov/asthma/faqs.htm.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). (2019). Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Retrieved from https://www.cdc.gov/copd/index.html. Respiratory Care Plan
Corren, J. (2020). Evaluation and treatment of asthma: An overview. Retrieved from https://www.ajmc.com/journals/supplement/2005/2005-11-vol11-n14suppl/nov05-2211ps408-s415.
Fischbach, F. & Dunning, M. (2017). A manual of laboratory and diagnostic tests (10th ed.). Philadelphia, PA: F.A. Davis. ISBN: 9780803667181 Respiratory Care Plan
