Traumatic Injuries: A Case Study

Lungs – Mucus plugging, chronic bacterial infections, pronounced inflammatory response, damaged airways leading to respiratory insufficiency, progressive decline in pulmonary function.

It includes emphysema, chronic bronchitis, and in some cases asthma (NIH.NHLBI, 2012). Emphysema as stated by American Association for Respiratory Care (AARC) is an abnormal enlargement of air spaces distal to the terminal bronchioles and does occur in the lung parenchyma in COPD patients (AARC, 2011; Rosdahl & Kowalski, 2003).

5. for each of the following occupations, identify at least one possible hazard and a least one action employers could take to minimize the risk of an injury or illness related to that hazard.

The first stage of Pneumocosis is Anthracnosis. Anthracosis is a condition characterized by the accumulation of carbon in the lungs caused by inhaled smoke or coal dust. This is often asymptomatic and is found to at least some

4. Noise, dust and fumes are hazards whish commonly found in the work place for one of these hazards outline the risk associated with the exposure to this hazard and control measures which might be used in the workplace. Identify at least three hazards which are commonly encountered in your workplace and briefly describe how these are controlled.

|highly preventable, they are often viewed as an acceptable occupational hazard. As for the instruments must likely to cause sharps injuries |

The prolonged inhalation of mineral particles, usually in a work environment, can lead to a serious lung disease known as pneumoconiosis. Inhaled particles can permanently embed themselves into the pulmonary tissue and cause inflammation that can lead to scarring of the pulmonary tissue. The most common forms of pneumoconiosis are silicosis, asbestosis, and anthracosis. Depending on the type of mineral dust the patient was exposed to, the radiographic appearance of the disease in the lungs will appear different. There currently is no cure for pneumoconiosis, but there are steps that can be taken to limit further progression of the lung disease and thereby decrease severity or symptoms.

Respiratory distress syndrome – “an acute lung disease present at birth, which usually affects premature babies. Layers of tissue called hyaline membranes keep the oxygen that is breathed in from passing into the blood. The lungs are said to be ‘airless’.” (https://medical-dictionary.thefreedictionary.com/respiratory+distress+syndrome)

Etiology – Pulmonary fibrosis is a condition in which the lungs are scarred throughout their surfaces. It is often caused by chronic inflammatory diseases, infections or environmental agents, exposure to radiation, or chronic conditions such as lupus or rheumatoid arthritis(Pulmonary Fibrosis, 2014). Additionally, in this very young patient the cause may be idiopathic in that there really is no known reason why it occurs.

The working conditions in coal mines and chimney sweeps were dangerous in numerous ways. For example the darkness in the mines sometimes caused “permanent sight problems” due to constantly straining the eyes (Garlitz 67). Many children worked endless hours under dreadful circumstances. Unsuccessful laws to control the work of children in factories were passed after “uncompromising confrontation”(Boone 34). Children who worked in mines were also troubled with spinal deformities caused by continually walking stooped over in order to fit through the tight spaces offered by the mines, and there was always the fear of explosions. Another prominent health issue, found in children who worked in the chimneys was respiratory issues brought on by the “consistent inhalation of thick, dusty air”(Garlitz 68-69). Because of the lack of safety awareness, death was always a possible fate of the children working during this time period.

COMMUNITY COLLEGE OF PHILADELPHIA DEPARTMENT OF NURSING NURSING CARE PLAN Student: Novlet Stapleton Client Initials: E. S. Age: 90 Nursing Diagnosis: Impaired gas exchange related to a decrease in effective lung surface associated with bacterial lung infection

3 or III ? Advanced fibrosis involving entire acinus; all lung between two adjacent bronchioles is affected; some aveoli completely obliterated.

Silicosis is a chronic lung disease where silica particles have been inhaled and invaded lung tissue, causing the development of fibrous tissue. For silicosis to be caused it is necessary for silica dust to be inhaled for a long time, usually several years and this can be through hard rock and coal mining, quarrying and production of quartz (Dart, 1946). Symptoms of silicosis include chest pain, cough, respiratory problems, fever, weight loss and tiredness (Pneumoconiosis.org, 2015). This lung disease is incurable because the damage to the lungs that has taken place is irreversible so the main aims are to maintain quality of life and slow the deterioration. Bronchodilator medicines can be prescribed to relax lung muscles and help breathing and also oxygen therapy may be obtainable if there are very low oxygen levels in the body due to breathing difficulties. In severe cases a lung transplant may be available (NHSChoices, 2013). Prognosis depends on how serious the silicosis is, because the symptoms are progressive a person may live for a few months after diagnosis or could live for up to several years (Nall, 2013).

Airborne contaminants can be mild in hazards to extremely dangerous, and are used quite often within the construction and general industries. Sometimes workers are even exposed to these airborne contaminants on a daily basis. The most common types of airborne contaminants are dusts, fumes, smoke, aerosols, mists, gases and vapors. All of these airborne contaminants are important to be aware of, you must know what their causes are and how to protect your workers from them. As each of these contaminants have a permissible exposure limit (PEL), and it is important to be aware of what each of them is, so you can make sure these levels are not reached or protective equipment is available and accurate for each exposure should your workers have to

- Child workers are exposed to hazardous conditions that expose them to chemical and biological hazards.