Nursing Interventions for Chronic Bronchitis
September 6, 2010 | In: Nursing Interventions
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Nursing Interventions: Chronic Bronchitis
- Answer the patients questions and encourage him and his family to express their concerns about the illness.
- As needed, perform chest physiotherapy, including postural drainage and chest percussion and vibration for involved lobes several times daily.
- Make sure the patient receives adequate fluids (at least 3 liters per day) to loosen secretions.
- Schedule respiratory therapy for the patient at least 1 hour before or after meals.
- Provide mouth care after bronchodilator inhalation therapy.
- Encourage daily activity and provide diversional activities as appropriate.
- To conserve the patient’s energy and prevent fatigue, help him to alternate periods of rest and activity.
- Administer medications as ordered and note the patient’s response to them.
- Assess the patient for changes in baseline respiratory function.
- Evaluate sputum quality and quantity, restlessness, increased tachypnea, and altered breath sounds. Report changes immediately.
- Monitor the patient’s weight by weighing him three times weekly. Assess for edema.
- Evaluate the patient’s nutritional status regularly.
- Watch the patient for signs and symptoms of respiratory infection, such as fever, increased cough and sputum production, and purulent sputum.
- Advise the patient to avoid crowds and people with known infections and obtain influenza and pneumococcus immunizations.