Mucor is a life-threatening fungal infection that occurs in immunocompromised patients and its caused by a group of molds called mucoromycetes. It’s mainly affects people with weakened immune systems and can occur in nearly any part of the body. These molds live throughout the environment. It most commonly affects the sinuses or the lungs after inhaling fungal spores from the air, or the skin after the fungus enters the skin through a cut, scrape, burn, or other type of skin trauma. Mucormycosis refers to several different diseases caused by infection with fungi in the order of Mucorales. Nursing intervention: Position of comfort in semi or high fowlers and change position q2h - facilitates breathing and allows for full expansion of lungs.
Fibrodysplasia ossificans progressiva also known as FOP is a one of the rarest, most disabling genetic bone conditions known to medicine. FOP causes muscles, tendons, ligaments, and other connective tissues to turn in to bone. Movement becomes limited in the affected areas of the body. People with FOP typically have malformed toes at birth, meaning the big toe is typically shorter than normal and abnormally turned outward in a position called a valgus deviation. Symptoms of FOP start to show up in early childhood. Most people with FOP develop painful tumor-like swellings also known as fibrous nodules. The fibrous nodules are visible on the neck, shoulders, and back.
Cellulitis is an acute spreading bacterial infection of the connective tissue, dermis and subcutaneous layers of the skin (ProQuest 07/2012 pg.5). Characterized by redness, swelling, warmth, tight/shiny skin and pain. It is sometimes accompanied by fever, swollen lymph nodes, chills and fatigue. Cellulitis first appears on pink-to-red minimally inflamed skin. The area of infection rapidly becomes deeper red and increases in size as the infection spreads. Occasionally, red streaks may radiate outward from cellulitis. Blisters or pus filled bumps may also be present (skinsight 12/2012 pg.5). The main culprit is the bacteria Streptococcus and Staphylococcus which can enter through a break in the skin.
- The patient will continue to secrete mucous due to medical condition exacerbated by infection, however it will provide patient comfort in the short term.
Hinkle, Janice, and Kerry Cheever. “Management of Patients with Chronic Pulmonary Disease." Textbook of Medical-Surgical Nursing, 13th Ed. Philadelphia: Lisa McAllister, 2013. 619-630. Print.
Hess Dean R., M. N. (2012). Respiratory Care: Principles and Practice 12th Edition. Sudbury, MA: Jones and Bartlett Learning.
Practice. In P. A. Potter, & A. G. (7th ed.) Perry, Fundamentals of Nursing (pp. 215-324). Saint Louis MO: Mosby-Elsevier.
Cystic Fibrosis has become a major cause for concern in modern medicine. Mucoviscidosis, most commonly known as Cystic Fibrosis is a serious condition which shortens the life of a person affected. A person with CF as of twenty years ago was only guaranteed to reach twenty years of age while now with improved treatment, the average lifespan with someone with CF is 40 years and is expected to increase even further. (The Australian Handbook for General Practitioners, 2007)
Infections tend to be mild and may cause flu-like symptoms. Many time, the infection will require an antifungal treatment (Kellner et al, 111). Because of the flu-like symptoms, this disease was fairly difficult to diagnose; many patients died and were thought to have died from the flu. In 1892, the disease was finally discovered, was originally recognized as Coccidioides immitis only, and was treated with antifungal drugs (Cox and Magee, 805). According to the initial, official studies of this disease, patients could live anywhere from four months to nine years. The first two patients were drastically different; patient one had a slowly progressing form of Coccidioidomycosis, the disease caused by both Coccidioides immitis and Coccidioides posadasii. Patient one lived for nine years after the initial diagnosis and never received any antifungal treatment (Cox and Magee, 806). Patient two had a much more rapidly progressing form of Coccidioidomycosis. Patient two lived for only four months and died from the infection caused by the Coccidioides immitis pathogen (Cox and Magee, 806). Patient one made those studying this disease because that the pathogen would be slow acting, so patient two was treated as though the pathogen wouldn’t take full effect for a few years. As stated above, Coccidioidomycosis is the disease caused by Coccidioides immitis and Coccidioides posadasii. Coccidioidomycosis
Potter, P. & Perry, A. (2009). Fundamentals of Nursing (7th ed.) St. Louis: Mosby Elsevier, 1029-1084.
Coccidioides immitis is a fungi that normally grows in the soil. This fungi is dimorphic so it exist in two different forms. The form that grows in the soil is called the saprophytic form. It can also exist in a parasitic form if it enters a host. C. immiti can cause a disease called valley fever in humans if it is inhaled (Coccidioides, 2010).
If the person is receiving mechanical ventilation, open the suction access (swivel adapter). If necessary, remove the oxygen or humidity delivery device.
Nursing behaviors that improve patient comfort are as simple as positioning and repositioning, knowing patients special comfort habits, and advocating for family presence (Kolcaba & DiMarco, 2005). It is important to use a measurement tool to assess comfort and remember to reassess for a positive outcome or plan a new intervention. Comfort is associated with the pursuit of healthy behavior, increased patient satisfaction, and better cost-benefit ratios (Kolcaba & DiMarco, 2005). Although Watson’s caring model is a broad philosophy that applies to nursing practice in general, nurses utilizing this theory would find Kolcaba’s middle-range comfort theory aligns well within the framework those
Supportive care aims to prevent complications by protecting the airway, providing fluids and nutrition, assisting with movement, treating pain, addressing incontinence and keeping people with delirium oriented to their surroundings.
Nursing Diagnosis I for Patient R.M. is ineffective airway clearance related to retained secretions. This is evidenced by a weak unproductive cough and by both objective and subjective data. Objective data includes diagnosis of pneumonia, functional decline, and dyspnea. Subjective data include the patient’s complaints of feeling short of breath, even with assistance with basic ADLs. This is a crucial nursing diagnosis as pneumonia is a serious condition that is the eighth leading cause of death in the United States and the number one cause of death from infectious diseases (Lemon, & Burke, 2011). It is vital to keep the airway clear of the mucus that may be produced from the inflammatory response of pneumonia. This care plan is increasingly important because of R.M.'s state of functional decline; he is unable to perform ADL and to elicit a strong cough by himself due to his slouched posture. Respiratory infections and in this case, pneumonia, will further impair the airway (Lemon, & Burke, 2011). Because of the combination of pneumonia and R.M's other diagnoses of lifelong asthma, it is imperative that the nursing care plan of ineffective airway clearance be carried out. The first goal of this care plan was to have the patient breathe deeply and cough to remove secretions. It is important that the nurse help the patient deep breathe in an upright position; this is the best position for chest expansion, which promotes expansion and ventilation of all lung fields (Sparks and Taylor, 2011). It is also important the nurse teach the patient an easily performed cough technique and help mobilize the patient with ADL's. This helps the patient learn to cough and clear their airways without fatigue (Sparks a...
This infection usually affects people exposed to contaminated water in aquariums or pools. Although Mycobacterium Marinum infections are generally mild and limited to the skin, they proved to be more severe in immunocompromised patients.