Pertussis – Whooping Cough

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Ashley Powell
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Study Tools For Pertussis – Whooping Cough

Pertussis (Image)
Pertussis Pathochart (Cheatsheet)
Immunization Schedule (Cheatsheet)
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Outline

Overview

  1. Highly contagious respiratory infection caused by the Bordetella pertussis bacteria that is easily prevented with vaccine.

Nursing Points

General

  1. Spread via direct contact with droplets
  2. The time between exposure and the development of symptoms is on average 7–14 days
  3. Prevention
    1. Immunization:
      1. DTaP: for infants and young kids – given at 2, 4, 6, 15 months and 4-6 years
      2. Tdap: for adolescents and adults
        1. Booster recommended for adolescents
        2. Recommended for pregnant women in 3rd trimester to help protect newborns

Assessment

  1. Catarrhal stage – upper respiratory infection
    1. Runny nose
    2. Fever
    3. Mild cough
  2. Paroxysmal stage
    1. Cough progresses
      1. Worse at night
      2. Short rapid coughs followed by high-pitched “whoop sound” as patient tries to breathe in.  
    2. Coughing can be so forceful that patients vomit, break ribs and become exhausted.
    3. Lasts 4-6 weeks

Therapeutic Management

  1. Isolate patient
  2. Initiate droplet  precautions
  3. Dx- nasopharyngeal swab for culture
  4. Position patient on side during coughing spells to reduce risk of aspiration
  5. Encourage fluids
  6. Humidified oxygen
  7. Antibiotic therapy
    1. Erythromycin
    2. Clarithromycin
    3. Azithromycin
  8. Monitor for complications
    1. Respiratory distress and cyanosis
    2. Rib fractures
    3. Pneumonia

Nursing Concepts

  1. Immunity
  2. Infection Control
  3. Oxygenation

Patient Education

  1. Isolate child from other children
  2. Pain relievers may help alleviate discomfort

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Transcript

Hey guys, glad you are joining me here! In this lesson we are going to talk about pertussis, which is also known as whooping cough.
Whooping cough is a highly contagious respiratory infection caused by the organism bordetella pertussis, which you can see in the photo here. What happens during pertussis is that the bacteria attach to the cilia which are the tiny little hairlike things that line the upper respiratory system. The bacteria causes damage and inflammation in the airway.

The crazy thing with whooping cough is that it symptoms can actually last up to 6 weeks.

It can be prevented with the DTaP (Diphtheria, Tetanus and Pertussis) vaccine which is given at 2, 4, 6, 15 months and again between 4-6 years. You may be thinking wait- I thought it was called the Tdap. Well, the Tdap is what’s used for adolescents and adults, whereas the DTaP is given to infants and kids.

In your assessment there are two different stages to look for. The first is the catarrhal stage. Catarrh is just a fancy word for inflammation in the airways. During this stage you’ll see fever, increased nasal secretions, and a mild cough. The second stage is the paroxysmal stage and this is when the cough really progresses. Patients experience these coughing spells – where they have a bunch of short rapid coughs followed by a high-pitched whooping sound. These spells tend to be worse at night and can be so bad that they cause vomiting and may be fracture ribs.

Like I mentioned symptoms can last up to 6 weeks- so it can be pretty exhausting.

Just a quite note- The patients we are most worried about are our infants. They may develop pneumonia and their airways are actually still pretty soft so the intense coughing can cause a lot of damage. Apneic episodes are common in infants and for them whooping cough can be life threatening. So be extra vigilant with your assessment- looking out for signs of respiratory distress.

These patients need to be on droplet precautions. Our nursing care is focused on supporting respiratory effort. These patients may benefit from humidified O2 and elevating the head of bed.

Antibiotics are given as well. The most common one give is azithromycin.

Patient education is important because we need to make sure caregivers know that symptoms can last a long time.

Your priority nursing concepts for a pediatric patient with pertussis are immunity, infection control and oxygenation.
Pertussis is a respiratory infection that is very contagious and caused by bordetella pertussis.

It is preventable with the DTaP immunization, which is given at 2, 4, 6, 15 mo and 4-6 years.

There are 2 stages to the disease, the first pretty much just looks like an upper respiratory tract infection and the second is when the cough progresses to the classic “whooping cough”.

Treatment is supportive and antibiotics.

Patient education should focus on preparing caregivers for the length of the illness and also making people aware of the importance of immunizing against it!
That’s it for our lesson on Pertussis or Whooping cough. Make sure you check out all the resources attached to this lesson. Now, go out and be your best self today. Happy Nursing!

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NCLEX Review

Concepts Covered:

  • Noninfectious Respiratory Disorder
  • Test Taking Strategies
  • Respiratory Disorders
  • EENT Disorders
  • Prenatal Concepts
  • Studying
  • Prefixes
  • Suffixes
  • Acute & Chronic Renal Disorders
  • Disorders of the Adrenal Gland
  • Integumentary Disorders
  • Oncology Disorders
  • Preoperative Nursing
  • Musculoskeletal Trauma
  • Bipolar Disorders
  • Disorders of the Posterior Pituitary Gland
  • Hematologic Disorders
  • Community Health Overview
  • Immunological Disorders
  • Renal Disorders
  • Childhood Growth and Development
  • Labor Complications
  • Upper GI Disorders
  • Medication Administration
  • Neurological Emergencies
  • Adulthood Growth and Development
  • Disorders of Pancreas
  • Musculoskeletal Disorders
  • Cardiac Disorders
  • Disorders of the Thyroid & Parathyroid Glands
  • Integumentary Important Points
  • Pregnancy Risks
  • Urinary Disorders
  • Vascular Disorders
  • Eating Disorders
  • Learning Pharmacology
  • Anxiety Disorders
  • Basics of NCLEX
  • Factors Influencing Community Health
  • Lower GI Disorders
  • Intraoperative Nursing
  • Integumentary Disorders
  • Neurologic and Cognitive Disorders
  • Trauma-Stress Disorders
  • Central Nervous System Disorders – Brain
  • Somatoform Disorders
  • Dosage Calculations
  • Depressive Disorders
  • Personality Disorders
  • Cognitive Disorders
  • Substance Abuse Disorders
  • Psychological Emergencies
  • Circulatory System
  • Postoperative Nursing
  • Hematologic Disorders
  • Liver & Gallbladder Disorders
  • Infectious Respiratory Disorder
  • Central Nervous System Disorders – Spinal Cord
  • Emergency Care of the Cardiac Patient
  • Concepts of Population Health
  • Peripheral Nervous System Disorders
  • Note Taking
  • Female Reproductive Disorders
  • Oncologic Disorders
  • Postpartum Complications
  • Endocrine and Metabolic Disorders
  • Fetal Development
  • Shock
  • Emergency Care of the Neurological Patient
  • Respiratory Emergencies
  • Labor and Delivery
  • Gastrointestinal Disorders
  • EENT Disorders
  • Postpartum Care
  • Cardiovascular Disorders
  • Newborn Care
  • Renal and Urinary Disorders
  • Newborn Complications
  • Urinary System
  • Musculoskeletal Disorders
  • Infectious Disease Disorders
  • Nervous System
  • Psychotic Disorders

Study Plan Lessons

Nursing Care and Pathophysiology of COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease)
12 Points to Answering Pharmacology Questions
ABGs Nursing Normal Lab Values
Care of the Pediatric Patient
Glaucoma
Menstrual Cycle
Time Management
X-Ray (Xray)
54 Common Medication Prefixes and Suffixes
ABG (Arterial Blood Gas) Interpretation-The Basics
Nursing Care and Pathophysiology of Acute Kidney (Renal) Injury (AKI)
Addisons Disease
Burn Injuries
Cataracts
Computed Tomography (CT)
Family Planning & Contraception
Informed Consent
Lung Sounds
Study Setting
Vitals (VS) and Assessment
Alveoli & Atelectasis
Nursing Care and Pathophysiology for Cushings Syndrome
Goal Setting
Macular Degeneration
Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)
Preoperative (Preop)Assessment
Pressure Ulcers/Pressure injuries (Braden scale)
Therapeutic Drug Levels (Digoxin, Lithium, Theophylline, Phenytoin)
Nursing Care and Pathophysiology for Diabetes Insipidus (DI)
Nursing Care and Pathophysiology for Disseminated Intravascular Coagulation (DIC)
Epidemiology
Essential NCLEX Meds by Class
Gas Exchange
Nursing Care and Pathophysiology of Glomerulonephritis
Growth & Development – Infants
Nursing Care and Pathophysiology for Herpes Zoster – Shingles
Isotonic Solutions (IV solutions)
Nursing Care and Pathophysiology of Osteoarthritis (OA)
Nursing Care and Pathophysiology for Pancreatitis
Preoperative (Preop) Education
6 Rights of Medication Administration
Cerebral Angiography
Growth & Development – Toddlers
Health Promotion & Disease Prevention
Hearing Loss
Hypotonic Solutions (IV solutions)
Nursing Care and Pathophysiology of Osteoporosis
Nursing Care and Pathophysiology for Peptic Ulcer Disease (PUD)
Preoperative (Preop) Nursing Priorities
Respiratory Acidosis (interpretation and nursing interventions)
Thrombocytopenia
Blood Transfusions (Administration)
Cardiovascular Angiography
Fractures
Growth & Development – Preschoolers
Nursing Care and Pathophysiology for Hyperthyroidism
Hypertonic Solutions (IV solutions)
Integumentary (Skin) Important Points
Preload and Afterload
Respiratory Alkalosis
Nursing Care and Pathophysiology of Urinary Tract Infection (UTI)
Echocardiogram (Cardiac Echo)
Growth & Development – School Age- Adolescent
Nursing Care and Pathophysiology for Hypothyroidism
Metabolic Acidosis (interpretation and nursing diagnosis)
Performing Cardiac (Heart) Monitoring
Metabolic Alkalosis
The SOCK Method – Overview
Ultrasound
The SOCK Method – S
The SOCK Method – O
Base Excess & Deficit
The SOCK Method – C
The SOCK Method – K
Biopsy
Anxiety
Basics of Calculations
Critical Thinking
Cultural Care
Gestation & Nägele’s Rule: Estimating Due Dates
Potassium-K (Hyperkalemia, Hypokalemia)
Nursing Care and Pathophysiology of Angina
Nursing Care and Pathophysiology for Appendicitis
Nursing Care and Pathophysiology for Asthma
Bloom’s Taxonomy
Nursing Care and Pathophysiology of Chronic Kidney (Renal) Disease (CKD)
Nursing Care and Pathophysiology of Diabetes Mellitus (DM)
Dimensional Analysis Nursing (Dosage Calculations/Med Math)
Environmental Health
General Anesthesia
Generalized Anxiety Disorder
Gravidity and Parity (G&Ps, GTPAL)
Impetigo
Leukemia
Levels of Consciousness (LOC)
Sodium-Na (Hypernatremia, Hyponatremia)
Nursing Care and Pathophysiology of COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease)
Diabetes Management
Dialysis & Other Renal Points
Local Anesthesia
Lymphoma
Nursing Care and Pathophysiology of Myocardial Infarction (MI)
Oral Medications
Pediculosis Capitis
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
Routine Neuro Assessments
What is the NCLEX?
Adjunct Neuro Assessments
Anatomy of an NCLEX Question
Burn Injuries
Chloride-Cl (Hyperchloremia, Hypochloremia)
Nursing Care and Pathophysiology of Diabetic Ketoacidosis (DKA)
Fundal Height Assessment for Nurses
Injectable Medications
Moderate Sedation
Oncology Important Points
Somatoform
Technology & Informatics
Nursing Care and Pathophysiology of Coronary Artery Disease (CAD)
Hyperglycaemic Hyperosmolar Non-ketotic syndrome (HHNS)
Nursing Care and Pathophysiology for Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD)
IV Infusions (Solutions)
Malignant Hyperthermia
Maternal Risk Factors
Complex Calculations (Dosage Calculations/Med Math)
Intracranial Pressure ICP
Mood Disorders (Bipolar)
Nursing Care and Pathophysiology for Ulcerative Colitis(UC)
Cerebral Perfusion Pressure CPP
Nursing Care and Pathophysiology for Crohn’s Disease
Depression
Paranoid Disorders
Personality Disorders
Cognitive Impairment Disorders
Eating Disorders (Anorexia Nervosa, Bulimia Nervosa)
Alcohol Withdrawal (Addiction)
Grief and Loss
Suicidal Behavior
Normal Sinus Rhythm
Physiological Changes
Post-Anesthesia Recovery
Red Blood Cell (RBC) Lab Values
SATA
Sickle Cell Anemia
Absolute Words
Nursing Care and Pathophysiology for Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS)
Nursing Care and Pathophysiology for Cholecystitis
Discomforts of Pregnancy
Nursing Care and Pathophysiology for Heart Failure (CHF)
Hemoglobin (Hbg) Lab Values
Nursing Care and Pathophysiology for Influenza (Flu)
Nursing Care and Pathophysiology for Multiple Sclerosis (MS)
Postoperative (Postop) Complications
Sinus Bradycardia
Nursing Care and Pathophysiology for Anaphylaxis
Antepartum Testing
Hematocrit (Hct) Lab Values
Hemophilia
Nursing Care and Pathophysiology for Hepatitis (Liver Disease)
Opposites
Sinus Tachycardia
Nursing Care and Pathophysiology for Tuberculosis (TB)
Nursing Care and Pathophysiology for Cirrhosis (Liver Disease, Hepatic encephalopathy, Portal Hypertension, Esophageal Varices)
Discharge (DC) Teaching After Surgery
Nutrition in Pregnancy
Pacemakers
Nursing Care and Pathophysiology of Pneumonia
Same
White Blood Cell (WBC) Lab Values
Atrial Fibrillation (A Fib)
Communicable Diseases
Platelets (PLT) Lab Values
Priority
Coagulation Studies (PT, PTT, INR)
Disasters & Bioterrorism
Nursing Process
Acute vs Chronic
Miscellaneous Nerve Disorders
Premature Ventricular Contraction (PVC)
What do you want me to know?
Duplicate Facts
Ventricular Tachycardia (V-tach)
Repeating Words
Ventricular Fibrillation (V Fib)
Denying Feelings
NCLEX® Question Traps
Albumin Lab Values
Outline Question Method (Note taking)
Nursing Care and Pathophysiology for Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID)
Benzodiazepines
Cholesterol (Chol) Lab Values
Drawing Pictures
Nursing Care and Pathophysiology for Hemorrhagic Stroke (CVA)
Nursing Care and Pathophysiology of Hypertension (HTN)
Ammonia (NH3) Lab Values
Artificial Airways
Nursing Care and Pathophysiology for Endometriosis
Nursing Care and Pathophysiology for Ischemic Stroke (CVA)
Nephroblastoma
Airway Suctioning
Chorioamnionitis
Nursing Care and Pathophysiology for Menopause
Stroke Assessment (CVA)
Nursing Care and Pathophysiology for Cardiomyopathy
Gestational Diabetes (GDM)
Stroke Therapeutic Management (CVA)
Disseminated Intravascular Coagulation (DIC)
Stroke Nursing Care (CVA)
Ectopic Pregnancy
Nursing Care and Pathophysiology for Thrombophlebitis (clot)
Hydatidiform Mole (Molar pregnancy)
Gestational HTN (Hypertension)
Infections in Pregnancy
Preeclampsia: Signs, Symptoms, Nursing Care, and Magnesium Sulfate
Blood Urea Nitrogen (BUN) Lab Values
Fever
Creatinine (Cr) Lab Values
Dehydration
Fetal Development
Nursing Care and Pathophysiology for Hypovolemic Shock
Seizure Causes (Epilepsy, Generalized)
Nursing Care and Pathophysiology for Cardiogenic Shock
Fetal Environment
Seizure Assessment
Chest Tube Management
Nursing Care and Pathophysiology for Distributive Shock
Fetal Circulation
Seizure Therapeutic Management
Urinalysis (UA)
Nursing Care and Pathophysiology for Seizure
Glucose Lab Values
Process of Labor
Vomiting
Pediatric Gastrointestinal Dysfunction – Diarrhea
Hemoglobin A1c (HbA1C)
Mechanisms of Labor
Leopold Maneuvers
Celiac Disease
Fetal Heart Monitoring (FHM)
Nursing Care and Pathophysiology for Meningitis
Appendicitis
Intussusception
Constipation and Encopresis (Incontinence)
Conjunctivitis
Prolapsed Umbilical Cord
Acute Otitis Media (AOM)
Placenta Previa
Abruptio Placentae (Placental abruption)
Tonsillitis
Preterm Labor
Precipitous Labor
Dystocia
Postpartum Physiological Maternal Changes
Bronchiolitis and Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV)
MAOIs
Postpartum Discomforts
Breastfeeding
Asthma
SSRIs
Cystic Fibrosis (CF)
TCAs
Congenital Heart Defects (CHD)
Defects of Increased Pulmonary Blood Flow
Postpartum Hemorrhage (PPH)
Defects of Decreased Pulmonary Blood Flow
Mastitis
Insulin
Obstructive Heart (Cardiac) Defects
Mixed (Cardiac) Heart Defects
Histamine 1 Receptor Blockers
Initial Care of the Newborn (APGAR)
Nephrotic Syndrome
Enuresis
Newborn Physical Exam
Body System Assessments
Histamine 2 Receptor Blockers
Newborn Reflexes
Babies by Term
Cerebral Palsy (CP)
Renin Angiotensin Aldosterone System
Meconium Aspiration
Meningitis
Transient Tachypnea of Newborn
Hyperbilirubinemia (Jaundice)
Spina Bifida – Neural Tube Defect (NTD)
ACE (angiotensin-converting enzyme) Inhibitors
Autism Spectrum Disorders
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
Newborn of HIV+ Mother
Angiotensin Receptor Blockers
Calcium Channel Blockers
Cardiac Glycosides
Scoliosis
Metronidazole (Flagyl) Nursing Considerations
Ciprofloxacin (Cipro) Nursing Considerations
Vancomycin (Vancocin) Nursing Considerations
Anti-Infective – Penicillins and Cephalosporins
Atypical Antipsychotics
Rubeola – Measles
Mumps
Varicella – Chickenpox
Pertussis – Whooping Cough
Autonomic Nervous System (ANS)
Sympathomimetics (Alpha (Clonodine) & Beta (Albuterol) Agonists)
Parasympathomimetics (Cholinergics) Nursing Considerations
Parasympatholytics (Anticholinergics) Nursing Considerations
Diuretics (Loop, Potassium Sparing, Thiazide, Furosemide/Lasix)
Epoetin Alfa
HMG-CoA Reductase Inhibitors (Statins)
Magnesium Sulfate
NSAIDs
Corticosteroids
Hydralazine (Apresoline) Nursing Considerations
Nitro Compounds
Vasopressin
Nursing Care and Pathophysiology of Acute Kidney (Renal) Injury (AKI)
Nursing Care and Pathophysiology for Anemia
Nursing Care and Pathophysiology for Heart Failure (CHF)
Nursing Care and Pathophysiology of Diabetes Mellitus (DM)
Dissociative Disorders
Eczema
Fractures
Hemodynamics
Nursing Care and Pathophysiology for Hemorrhagic Stroke (CVA)
Nursing Care and Pathophysiology of Myocardial Infarction (MI)
Nursing Care and Pathophysiology for Parkinsons
Asthma
Pediatric Gastrointestinal Dysfunction – Diarrhea
Postpartum Hemorrhage (PPH)
Preeclampsia: Signs, Symptoms, Nursing Care, and Magnesium Sulfate
Proton Pump Inhibitors
Schizophrenia
Nursing Care and Pathophysiology for SIADH (Syndrome of Inappropriate antidiuretic Hormone Secretion)