Respiratory Health In The FY17 PRMRP Case Study

What are the uses of drugs used to treat lower respiratory tract disorders: sympathomimetics, anticholinergics, inhaled steroids, lung surfactants, and mast cell stabilizers?

Emphysema is the most common cause of death from respiratory disease in the United States and is generally caused by several years of heavy cigarette smoking (Olendorf, 2000). When a person smokes, the body’s immune system tries to fight off the invading smoke by using certain substances. These substances can also attack the cells of the lungs, but normally the body is able to release other substances to prevent this. In the case of people who are smokers, this doesn’t happen and the original substances that were released to fight off the smoke also end up injuring the cells of the lungs as well. Eventually, the lungs will not be able to supply enough oxygen to the blood and a host of problems can occur with this. Risk factors that have been identified for emphysema include exposure to tobacco smoke either through active or passive smoking (2nd hand smoke), occupational exposure such as dust or chemicals, ambient air pollution, or genetic abnormalities, including a deficiency of alpha-antitrypsin, an enzyme inhibitor that normally counteracts the destruction of lung tissue by certain other enzymes (Smeltzer, 2010). The symptoms of emphysema develop gradually over many years. It is generally characterized by three primary symptoms: chronic cough, sputum production, and dyspnea on exertion. Other signs and symptoms include weight loss and the development of a

The following case study is of a 37-year old Hispanic male weighing 145 lbs and 70 inches tall found unconscious by his girlfriend. According to her he was unconscious for about 15 hours and she was concerned because he would not wake or respond and was breathing shallow and slow. She then called 9-1-1. The patient entered the ER by emergency vehicle and on my initial assessment Pt had an altered mental status, was very unresponsive showing symptoms of a possible drug overdose. The girlfriend told the physician the Pt had taken 75 mg of methadone and an unknown amount of Xanex and other amounts of Benzodiazepines. On assessment, the doctor noticed his altered mental status and unconscious status. He had a gag

COPD is one of the greatest causes of disability and mortality in the twenty first century with future predictions painting an even graver story. Occupation, genome, and primarily smoking are the main causes of COPD. COPD is the third leading cause of death in America, claiming the lives of 134,676 Americans in 2010. Symptoms are typical of a constant smokers cough which progresses into the debilitating palliative stage of the disease; the development of co-morbidities exacerbates these symptoms. COPD has a complex pathophysiology involving hyperinflation, excessive mucus production and airway remodeling; diagnosis is through lung function tests. COPD is poorly managed with few effective treatments and a poor

Mitochondria, dubbed the ‘powerhouse of the cell’, are a type of organelle present in most human cells. Their primary function is to generate Adenosine Triphosphate (ATP), the cell’s principal source of chemical energy. Unlike most other organelles, mitochondria store their own set of genetic material, distinct from the DNA situated in a cell’s nucleus. Although this ‘mitochondrial genome’ represents only 0.1% of a cell’s genetic information, it often plays a significant role in development.

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is in the top five principal cause of death in the U.S. The disease is an abnormal inflammatory reaction in the lungs with limited airflow. COPD characteristically arises around the age 35. Smoking continues to be the main source of COPD, but is not the only known root cause. In many studies, smoking explanations for at least three fourths of COPD cases ("Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease | University of Maryland Medical Center," n.d.). Stopping smoking has been known to improve lung capabilities and help to prevent death from COPD. Genetic conditions and introductions to airborne toxins, irritants and gasses are correspondingly involved in the growth of the illness. A complete treatment plan could comprise of lifestyle changes, one or more medications, patient education, oxygen therapy respiratory rehabilitation, and surgery ("Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease | University of Maryland Medical Center," n.d.).

Mr. Joseph is a 56-year-old has 30 smoking pack years. He was diagnosed 10 years ago with asthma/chronic bronchitis, arthritis of the knees, and congestive heart failure (CHF). Mr. Joseph weighs 350 pounds with a height of 6 feet, making his body mass index (BMI) of 47.5, much more than the recommended 25, and in fact his BMI places him in the morbid obesity classification. He takes medicines for his pulmonary conditions, along with a diuretic.

Emphysema is the third leading cause of death in the United States. It is a chronic, progressive disease that affects the morbidity and mortality of life. Like many chronic diseases, diagnosis is affected by numerous variables. There is no cure; however, there are effective treatment methods which can slow the progression of the disease and allow for a normal life. In short, the diagnosis of emphysema is not a death sentence. Rather, it is an illness that should prompt a person diagnosed with it to take the lead in the management of the disease. The primary risk factor for this disease that can be controlled is the smoking of cigarettes. Smoking cessation is the most beneficial first step to preventing or stopping the development or progression

As you already know, Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), manifests itself when the passageway of air to the lungs is severely obstructed, thus preventing sufficient flow of oxygen into the bloodstream.1 The pathophysiology of COPD is a complex process that is the result of multiple airway diseases that simultaneously contribute to the impairment of airflow in the lungs.1 Specifically, the overlapping outcome of chronic bronchitis and emphysema is the pathogenesis of COPD.1 The risk factor for the COPD is influenced by the individual’s genetics, age, gender, exposure to air pollution, socioeconomic status, and the use of tobacco products.1 The use of tobacco products can increase the development of COPD.1 However, individuals that don’t smoke can also attain COPD.1 Therefore, COPD is not exclusive to individuals that smoke on a daily basis.1 In fact, genetics and the natural aging process plays a part in the development of pulmonary issues.1 For example, it has been proven that a deficiency in the alpha -1 antitrypsin gene is correlated with the development of COPD.1 The natural deterioration of lung tissue, coupled with the long term exposure to environmental elements, explains why the risk of attaining COPD increases as one progresses to the latter stages of their lives.1 In a healthy individual, goblet cells secrete about one liter of mucous that provides a moist surface over the lungs, trachea, and esophagus.1 The cilia on the pseuodocolumnar epithelial cells continuously sweep the mucus in the lungs in an upward motion.1 The cilia sweeps the mucosal trapped debris up, and removes pathogens and other foreign particles out the pulmonary tissue.1 In individuals with COPD, the pathogenesis of the disease creates structural modifications of the lung tissue, which result in deformed and nonfunctioning cilia.2 The lack of functioning cilia leads to the buildup of mucous, pathogens, and subsequent respiratory infections.2 Furthermore, the body tries to combat

The topic you chose is extremely relevant to modern health care and should be taught more to military providers because I believe we are the worst offenders. At one point in my career, I personally witnessed a fellow IDC give treatments for STD upon request and no examination or verbal history. One of your sources covers the use of antibiotics for upper respiratory issues. I believe this article choice and the citation from it make your thesis clear and make the point to the reader. I think you did a fantastic job not only summarizing the articles but also combining with the flow of your paper to validate your point.

The American Association for Respiratory Care is a non-profit organization which provides numerous resources for registered respiratory therapists all over the United States. Membership through the AARC renders an abundance of incentives such as professional development, respiratory care education, social networking opportunities, continuing education programs and much more. The American Association for Respiratory Care truly believes in the cause of respiratory therapy and in the rights of their patients to receive competent respiratory care. Their advocacy team works with local, state and federal governments concerning public policies that affect their patients as well as their profession.

The American Respiratory Care Foundation is an organization that helps support further education, research, and charitable activities. Not only do they educate the public about the foundation and respiratory health, but they assist in training and enhancing the quality of our environment. The foundation was found in 1985 and since then has promoted several grants and awards for the people who make a difference in the respiratory care field. They have raised one million dollars since the year 2000 for education towards respiratory therapists. More than $230,000 dollars was used towards direct scholarship and achievement awards as well as $226,000 dollars for research in the future. The many companies that have helped support the American Respiratory

Respiratory Therapy will change the future. There are so many things that respiratory therapists perform that people don’t even know about. A huge job for a respiratory therapist is helping patients with cystic fibrosis. This is an incurable disease, but as we further research and learn better ways to help these patients, we as respiratory therapists can definitely prolong their lives and make them as close to normal as possible. Another way we will change the future is by saving lives. There are so many lives that we can save that could lead to incredible things in this world that wouldn’t be accomplished without us saving that life. Another great advancement with respiratory therapy will be the technology we use. As we get more advanced in

Cigarette smoke induces oxidative stress, which may lead to lung injury and emphysema development. We found high mitochondrial DNA damage in alveolar type II cells isolated from individuals with this disease. We have discovered that XLF is involved in repair of mitochondrial DNA in these cells. XLF oxidation causes its degradation leading to mitochondrial dysfunction and mitophagy in these cells. Targeting XLF may provide potential therapeutic strategy against emphysema

Some of the laboratory testing used to identify COPD are arterial blood gas and increased hematocrit levels. Arterial blood gas testing will reveals hypoxemia and hypercarbia due to the retention