“Nursing Care Plan – Tuberculosis (TB)” plus 2 more nursing article(s): NursingCrib.com Updates

Nursing Care Plan – Tuberculosis (TB)
Nursing Care Plan – Pneumonia
Nursing Care Plan – Angina

Posted: 13 Sep 2010 07:52 PM PDT

Tuberculosis (TB), also called "white plaque" or "consumption" is a higly communicable disease caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis. It usually involves the lungs, but also occurs in the kidneys, bones, adrenal glands, lymph nodes, and meninges, and can be disseminated throughout ht e body. When TB involves the lungs, it can be referred to as either TB infection or TB disease. TB infection occurs when the Myobacterium tuberculosis enters the body, multiples, and the body's immune system contains it (the usual response). TB disease occurs when the infection progresses to disease and the patint becomes clinically ill (active TB).

Diagnosis in TB is commonly delayed in older adults because the typical presenting symptoms such as fever and night sweats aren't commonly seen. With age, diaphoresis decreases and alterations in body temperature commonly occur. These factors highlight the importance of periodic screening for older adults. All older patients entering hospital and any community of older people, such as those in senior center, should be tested with two-step Mantoux test.

Nursing Care Plan for Tuberculosis

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Nursing Care Plan – Pneumonia

Posted: 13 Sep 2010 07:28 PM PDT

Pneumonia is an acute inflammatory disorder of lung parenchyma that results in edema of lung tissues and movement of fluid into the alveoli. These impair gas exchange resulting in hypoxemia. Pneumonia can be classified in several ways. Based on microbiologic etiology, it may be viral, bacterial, fungal, protozoal, myobacterial, mycoplasmal, or rickettsial in origin. Based on location, pneumonia may be classified as bronchopneumonia, lobular pneumonia, or lobar pneumonia. Bronchopneumonia involves distal airways and alveoli; lobular pneumonia, part of the lobe; and labor pneumonia, the whole lobe.

Pneumonia occurs in both sexes and at all ages, but older adults run a greater risk of developing it because their weakened chest musculature reduces their ability to clear secretions. Bacterial pneumonia is the most common type of pneumonia found in older adults; viral pneumonia is the second most common type. Aspiration pneumonia occurs in older adults due to impaired swallowing ability and diminished gag reflex. These changes can occur after a stroke or any prolonged illness.

Nursing Care Plan for Pneumonia

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Nursing Care Plan – Angina

Posted: 13 Sep 2010 06:49 PM PDT

Angina is a temporary chest pain that results from inadequate oxygen flow to the myocardium. It's usually described as burning, squeezing, or a tight feeling in the substernal or precordial chest. This pain may radiate to the left arm, neck, jaw, or shoulder blade. Typically, the patient clenches his fist over his chest or rubs his left arm when describing the pain, which may also be accompanied by nausea, vomiting, fainting, sweating, and cool extremities.

Angina commonly occurs after physical exertion, but may also follow emotional excitement, exposure to cold, or a large meal. It may also develop during sleep, and symptoms may awaken the patient.

When assessing for anginal pain, older adults commonly have an increased tolerance for pain, and may be less likely to complain. Instead, they may compensate by slowing their activity levels. Older adults may not experience chest pain at all, but may report dyspnea, faintness, or extreme fatigue.

The person's health history may suggest a pattern to the type and onset of pain. If the pain is predictable and relieved by rest or nitrates, it's called stable angina. If it increases in frequency and duration and is more easily induced, it's referred to as unstable angina or unpredictable angina. Unstable angina may occur at rest and generally indicates extensive or worsening disease that may progress to an MI. Variant or Prinzmetal's angina is caused by coronary artery spasm, and commonly occurs at rest without initial increased oxygen demand.

Nursing Care Plan for Angina

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