NURS 2700 D5 - discussion assignment for chapter 4 Pathophysiology PDF

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discussion assignment for chapter 4 Pathophysiology ...

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Ms. S’s history of smoking two packs of cigarettes a day for decades affects her health tremendously. Tobacco smoke suppresses the activation of the innate system response to infection. Many studies report that smoking is closely related to the development of bacterial pneumonia. Smoking cigarettes is a risk factor for pneumonia since she also suffers from COPD. Some findings that support the COPD diagnosis include barrel chest and diminished breath sounds as the lungs become overinflated with air which makes breathing less efficient. The thick tenacious secretions Ms. S is experiencing is related to tobacco use because cigarette smoke induces inflammation in the lungs which increases the muscular wall of the airways and the size/activity of mucous glands. The increased activity of the mucous glands blocks the airway and may cause a chronic cough sometimes called the “smoker’s cough” or shortness of breath. The blocked airways impact the efficiency of her ventilation and perfusion because she cannot get adequate oxygen with the excess mucous in the way. Low levels of hematocrit mean there is an insufficient supply of red blood cells carrying oxygen in the body or a large number of white blood cells fighting infection. Low levels of hemoglobin mean that oxygen isn’t being transported throughout the body properly and can cause trouble breathing. By examining both of her test results and reading her history we can conclude that her respiratory status is dangerous and has the potential of causing fatal complications. Mayo Clinic. (2019, March 27). Do you have a rounded, bulging chest? Retrieved February 12, 2020, from https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/copd/expert-answers/barrelchest/faq-20058419 NIH. (n.d.). COPD. Retrieved February 12, 2020, from https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/healthtopics/copd Tobacco in Australia. (n.d.). 3.9 Increased susceptibility to infection in smokers. Retrieved February 12, 2020, from https://www.tobaccoinaustralia.org.au/chapter-3-health-effects/3-9increased-susceptibility-to-infection-in-smoke...