Pneumoconiosis is an occupational pulmonary disease caused by exposure to asbestos, coal dust, or silica and manifested by difficulty breathing and chronic cough. this knowledge will help in health care and occupation area to prevent and cure the condition.

1. PNEUMOCONIOSIS
MS DRASHTI PATEL
NURSING TUTOR

2. PNEUMOCONIOSIS
• Pneumoconiosis is an occupational pulmonary disease caused by
exposure to asbestos, coal dust, or silica and manifested by difficulty
breathing and chronic cough.

3. • 1. Different forms of the disease include Coal Workers
Pneumoconiosis (CWP), also known as black lung disease, and
byssinosis, also known as brown lung disease, caused by cotton
fibers.
• 2. Pneumoconiosis is caused by asbestos is called asbestosis.

4. Etiology
• 1 Pneumoconiosis is caused by the inhalation of dust, commonly
found in miners and agricultural workers.
• 2. Brown lung disease is caused by exposure to cotton fibres.
• 3. Asbestosis is caused by exposure to asbestos.

5. Risk Factors
• Pneumoconiosis is found more common in:
• 1. Plumbers, roofers, and builders who work with asbestos.
• 2. Coal mines
• 3. Textile workers

6. Pathophysiology
• Inhalation of coal dust or graphite over a long time, (20 years or more)
• Coal dust collects around bronchioles
• Fibrosis of lung tissues may block the airway

7. • More serious form of the disease called progressive massive fibrosis, in which
large scars (at least ½ inch in diameter) develop in the lungs as a reaction to
the dust.
• Progressive massive fibrosis may worsen even after exposure to coal dust
stops.
• Lung tissue and the blood vessels in the lungs can be destroyed by the
scarring.

8. Clinical Manifestations
• Typical symptoms of pneumoconiosis are:
• 1. Difficulty in breathing, or shortness of breath.
• 2. A cough, which may produce phlegm.
• 3. Tightness in the chest.
• 4. Bronchitis
• 5. Emphysema

9. • 6. Swelling in the neck or face-as lungs
are unable to expand, increasing
workload on heart, causes pulmonary
hypertension.
• 7. Clubbed fingers and toe.
• 8. Loss of weight/appetite.

10. Diagnostic Evaluation
• 1. Medical history and respiratory assessment.
• 2. Pulmonary function tests reveal inspiration and expiration pressure,
oxygen saturation.
• 3. Bronchoscopy
• 4. Lung biopsy
• 5. A chest X-ray or CT scan can reveal inflammation, excess fluid, or
scarring in the lungs.

11. Medical Management
• 1. Oxygen therapy is given to improve oxygen saturation.
• 2. Inhalers and steroids may help to manage the condition day-to-day.
• 3. Short term corticosteroid therapy may be used to treat exacerbations of
the condition.
• 4. In severe condition, patient receives mechanical ventilation in ICU.
• 5. Medicine is prescribed to control pain and cough.

12. • 6. Other treatments include the use of inhalers and antibiotics.
• 7.Pulmonary rehabilitation: It is used in conjunction with medical
treatments; patients are trained for new breathing strategies; smarter
exercise techniques; and ways to manage stress.
• Pulmonary rehabilitation can also increase energy levels, strengthen
exercise performance and improve overall survival and quality of life.
• 8. Palliative care: It aims to reduce coughing and shortness of breath.

13. Surgical Management
• Lung transplant is a surgical procedure where infected/ damaged
lungs are replaced by healthy lungs.

14. Nursing Management
• 1. Monitor vital signs.
• 2. Assess patient's respiratory status.
• 3. Encourage patient for pulmonary rehabilitation.
• 4. Assess whether patient is doing breathing exercises or not.
• 5. Depending on length and severity of disease, educate the patient about
precautions he/she has to take in work place.

15. • 6. Administer prescribed medications.
• 7. Teach patient about the use of inhaler and its care at home.
• 8. Educate patient about home O2 therapy, nutrition, sign and symptoms,
coughing with chronic disease.
• 9. Nurse play a key role or important role in identifying potential candidates
for rehabilitation and also encourage the patient for rehabilitation therapy,
education, physical therapy. For example, occupational therapy is for
conservation of energy and techniques during daily living.

16. Complications
• 1. Pneumothorax
• 2. COPD
• 3. Pleural diseases
• 4. Lung tumor

17. Nursing Diagnosis
• 1. Ineffective airway clearance related to copious secretions.
• 2. Altered breathing pattern related to lung fibrosis.
• 3. Activity intolerance related to impaired respiratory function.
• 4. Risk for deficient fluid volume related to dyspnea.
• 5. Imbalanced nutrition: Less than body requirements related to cough and
discomfort.
• 6. Altered sleeping pattern related to cough.
• 7. Deficient knowledge about the treatment regimen and preventive health
measures.