Nursing Assessment for Lung Abscess

Nursing Assessment for Lung Abscess

Lung abscess is necrosis of the pulmonary tissue and formation of cavities (more than 2 cm)] containing necrotic debris or fluid caused by microbial infection.

This pus-filled cavity is often caused by aspiration, which may occur during altered consciousness. Alcoholism is the most common condition predisposing to lung abscesses.

Lung abscess is considered primary (60%) when it results from existing lung parenchymal process and is termed secondary when it complicates another process e.g. vascular emboli or follows rupture of extrapulmonary abscess into lung.
(wikipedia)




Nursing Assessment for Lung Abscess

1. Assess history of risk factors, such as: a history of aspiration, respiratory tract infection (inflammation of the mouth, teeth and gums, throat), oral hygiene is lacking, liquor drinkers or the entry of an object into the respiratory tract.


2. Assess a history of chronic respiratory tract infections such as tuberculosis, bronchitis, liver abscess.


3. Assess the existence of cough with excess sputum and distinctive odor and coughing up blood, pain is felt in the chest, fatigue, decreased appetite.


4. Inspection: The movement of respiratory decline, it appears shortness of breath and fatigue.


5. Palpation: There is an increased fremitus rubbed on the infected area of body heat that rose above normal, tachycardia, increased jugular venous pressure (JVP), shortness of breath, a finger percussion.


6. Percussion: There was overcast condition in the infected area.


7. Auscultation: In regions of the breath sounds bronchial illness accompanied by additional sound harsh until smooth.


8. Additional examination, especially the laboratory: that an increase in leukocyte numbers and erythrocyte sedimentation rate and the decrease of arterial O2 pressure, chest X-rays visible cavities with thick walls with signs of consolidation around, which was evident again with chest CT-Scan. The existence of the tumors or foreign bodies in the bronchoscopy examination.

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