PRE-UNIT STUDY TIPS

Focus on finding answers to the following questions as you study:

• What is the structure of the thoracic cavity?

• How can you distinguish between the pharynx and larynx?

• What is the difference between emphysema and pneumothorax?

• What are the etiologies of COPD?

• Generally Speaking

  • exhalation_relaxation of the diaphragm is passive
  • visceral pleura，parietal pleura，pleural cavity (10～20ml fluid)
  • chief symptoms: chest pain, dyspnea, shortness of breath, productive/ nonproductive cough, hemoptysis, dysphonia (hoarseness), chills, fever, wheezing, fatigue

  

  

• Abnormal breath sounds

1. Common Cold/Upper Respiratory Tract Infection (URI)

• acute inflammatory process that affects the mucous membrane
• signs & symptoms: nose & pharynx, adult 5~7d without antibiotics
  • nasal congestion and discharge: clear and thin / greenish yellow and thick
  • sneezing
  • watering eyes
  • sore throat
  • hoarseness of the voice
  • coughing
  • headache, slight fever, chills
    • high fever and malaise suggests influenza
• Etiology: caused by 200 viruses
  • Rhinovirus is the most frequent cause
  • viral infection followed by bacterial infections of the pharynx, middle ear, sinuses, larynx, or lungs
  • General poor health, lack of exercise, and poor nutrition predispose one to the common cold
• diagnosis: symptoms described by patient
  • rule out more serious disease: nasal discharge & sputum cultures, CBC
• Tr: 4~5d no cure
  • bacterial <7~10d
  • cough/ nasal congestion may lead to asthma/ allergies
  • Resting, drinking plenty of fluids, using a vaporizer, and taking over-the-counter antihistamines, decongestants, cough suppressants, and mild analgesics

1. Sinusitis