A 76-year-old woman presents today with complaints of nasal drainage, clearing of throat, and occasional nasal congestion, especially on waking in the morning. She has recently moved into an independent living center after living in her home for 40 years. She states that, although she has had these symptoms before, generally the symptoms appeared in the spring, and she associated the nasal drainage with pollination. Because it is winter, she could not identify the trigger of her symptoms. Chief complaint: Persistent “runny nose” for 3-week duration, associated clearing of throat, and nasal congestion on awakening in the morning. Objective data: Blood pressure (BP) 130/84, temperature 98.6, pulse 78, respiratory rate 20.   What are the differential diagnoses that you are considering? What is your treatment, and what specific information about the prescription will you give to this patient? What are the potential complications from the treatment ordered? What additional specific laboratory tests will you consider ordering? What additional patient teaching may be needed?

Medical Terminology for Health Professions, Spiral bound Version (MindTap Course List)
8th Edition
ISBN:9781305634350
Author:Ann Ehrlich, Carol L. Schroeder, Laura Ehrlich, Katrina A. Schroeder
Publisher:Ann Ehrlich, Carol L. Schroeder, Laura Ehrlich, Katrina A. Schroeder
Chapter7: The Respiratory System
Section: Chapter Questions
Problem 38LE
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A 76-year-old woman presents today with complaints of nasal drainage, clearing of throat, and occasional nasal congestion, especially on waking in the morning. She has recently moved into an independent living center after living in her home for 40 years. She states that, although she has had these symptoms before, generally the symptoms appeared in the spring, and she associated the nasal drainage with pollination. Because it is winter, she could not identify the trigger of her symptoms.

Chief complaint: Persistent “runny nose” for 3-week duration, associated clearing of throat, and nasal congestion on awakening in the morning.

Objective data: Blood pressure (BP) 130/84, temperature 98.6, pulse 78, respiratory rate 20.

 

  1. What are the differential diagnoses that you are considering?
  2. What is your treatment, and what specific information about the prescription will you give to this patient?
  3. What are the potential complications from the treatment ordered?
  4. What additional specific laboratory tests will you consider ordering?
  5. What additional patient teaching may be needed?

 

 

Expert Solution
Step 1

Respiratory disorder may affect upper or lower respiratory tract. It causes several structural and functional alterations such as detachment of epithelium, mucus gland hyperplasia, fibrosis, hypertrophy/hypertrophy of smooth muscles and other vascular changes.

Common respiratory tract infections are

  • Pneumonia
  • COPD
  • Asthma
  • Acute and Chronic bronchitis
  • Tuberculosis
  • Other lung infection.
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