Overview.
Lung abscess is a necrotizing lesion of lung tissue caused by a variety of pathogens, resulting in the formation of a pus cavity containing necrotic material or liquefied necrosis. The disease can occur at any age, but is more common in young males and in elderly patients with underlying medical conditions. Lung abscesses can be categorized according to different etiologies and routes of infection: inhalational lung abscesses, secondary lung abscesses and hematogenous lung abscesses. Clinically, patients are characterized by high fever, cough, and coughing up a lot of purulent sputum. In patients with lung abscess, due to the long-term consumption of the disease, the patient appears to be emaciated, fatigue, loss of appetite and complication of other comorbidities. Early and thorough treatment is the key to eradicating lung abscess.
Major Nursing Problems
1. High body temperature.
2. Ineffective airway clearance.
3. Nutritional disorders: below body requirements.
4. Potential complications: hemoptysis, asphyxia.
Nursing measures
1. Nursing care for high fever
High fever should be bed rest, reduce oxygen consumption, available physical cooling measures, or follow the doctor’s instructions to apply drugs to lower the temperature, intravenous replenishment of water and salt lost due to fever, good monitoring, recording temperature changes.
2. Infection control care
Do a good job of oral care, rinse mouth or brush teeth in the morning, before going to bed, after eating, etc., to reduce bacterial reproduction. Dispose of sputum in time and clean and sterilize the sputum cup every day.
3. Cough and sputum care
Pay attention to the patient’s cough, sputum, hemoptysis and other conditions for observation, the patient coughed up sputum static, carefully observe the amount of sputum, smell, color, nature, etc., to see whether there is stratification, and detailed records. Family members should assist the patient to expel sputum effectively, the patient takes a semi-sitting position or sitting position, and instructs him to do deep breathing for 1 or 2 times, then inhale deeply and cough forcefully and briefly for 2 times, coughing out the purulent sputum from the deep lungs.
4.Nursing care for asphyxia risk
When the patient has respiratory distress, chest tightness, cyanosis, unconsciousness, laryngeal phlegm and other aura of respiratory obstruction and asphyxiation, observe closely, report to the doctor immediately, and quickly place the patient’s lower body with a quilt or cotton cushion to keep the patient in the head down and feet high position, or pick up the patient’s legs upside down to tilt the patient’s body at 45°~90° to tilt the patient’s head backward, and pull out the patient’s phlegm and clots in the mouth with the hand, and reassure the patient not to be afraid, the danger is lifted, so that his fear is eliminated.
Health promotion
1. Family members should encourage the patient to eat more high-protein, vitamin-rich food, and eat less and more meals. Rinse the mouth with water before and after eating to keep the mouth clean.
2. Patients should eat more food containing vitamin B2 and K to prevent mouth ulcers and inflammation.
3. Family members should closely observe the patient’s condition, such as carbuncle, scabies and other conditions on the skin of the body, should be treated immediately, to prevent extrusion, to avoid causing hematogenous lung abscess.
4. Patients should actively exercise to improve immunity, avoid overwork, and prohibit strenuous exercise within 1 month after healing.
5. Family members should urge patients to quit smoking, long-term smoking will lead to weakening of cilia movement, reduce the cleaning and protection of the respiratory tract, aggravate lung infection.