Respiratory Alterations

Order Description
Respiratory Alterations

In clinical settings, patients often present with various respiratory symptoms such as congestion, coughing, and
wheezing. While identifying a symptom’s underlying illness can be challenging, it is essential because even basic
symptoms such as persistent coughing can be a sign of a more severe disorder. Advanced practice nurses must be able
to differentiate between moderate and severe respiratory disorders, as well as properly diagnose and prescribe
treatment for their patients. For this reason, you must have an understanding of the pathophysiology of respiratory
disorders.

Consider this scenario

Scenario 3:
Maria is a 36-year-old who presents for evaluation of a cough. She is normally a healthy young lady with no
significant medical history. She takes no medications and does not smoke. She reports that she was in her usual
state of good health until approximately 3 weeks ago when she developed a “really bad cold.” The cold is
characterized by a profound, deep, mucus-producing cough. She denies any rhinorrhea or rhinitis—the primary problem
is the cough. She develops these coughing fits that are prolonged, very deep, and productive of a lot of green
sputum. She hasn’t had any fever but does have a scratchy throat. Maria has tried over-the-counter cough medicines
but has not had much relief. The cough keeps her awake at night and sometimes gets so bad that she gags and dry
heaves.

To prepare:
•Review the the scenario, as well as Chapter 26 and Chapter 27 in the Huether and McCance text.

•Select one of the scenarios and consider the respiratory disorder and underlying alteration associated with the
type of cough described.
•Identify the pathophysiology of the alteration that you associated with the cough.
•Select two of the following factors: genetics, gender, ethnicity, or behavior. Reflect on how the factors you
selected might impact the disorder.

Post on or before Day 3 a description of the disorder and underlying respiratory alteration associated with the
type of cough in your selected scenario. Then, explain the pathophysiology of the respiratory alteration. Finally,
explain how the factors you selected might impact the disorder.