Upper respiratory tract infections are caused by viruses or bacteria that infect the nose, sinuses, pharynx, or larynx. They include conditions like the common cold, sinusitis, tonsillitis, laryngitis, and pharyngitis. A nurse will assess symptoms, check for signs of infection, monitor breathing, help clear secretions, manage pain, and educate patients on treatment plans and avoiding exacerbating factors. Proper nursing care is important for relieving symptoms and supporting healing from upper respiratory infections.

2. Introducti
onRespiratory tract infection
refers to any of a number
of infectious diseases
involving the respiratory
tract
- It is classified in to 2
types they are:
• upper respiratory tract
infection
•lower respiratory tract
infection

3. Definition
Upper respiratory tract
infections (URI or URTI)
are the illnesses caused by
an acute infection which
involves the Upper
respiratory tract :
- nose,
-sinuses,
-Pharynx or larynx.
This commonly includes:
tonsillitis, pharyngitis,
laryngitis, sinusitis and the
common cold.

5. Etiology
 Upper respiratory tract infections occurs when a
micro organisms either virus or bacteria are inhaled.
 Examples of viruses that causes URTIs includes;
rhinovirus, coronavirus, coxsackie virus, Influenza
virus and Adenovirus
 Examples of bacteria which causes URTIs includes:
 Haemophilus influenza
 S. pneumoniae
 S. pyogenes and
 C. diphtheriae

6. Classification
 The upper respiratory tract infections are
classified according to the part they
affect

7. Rhinitis
• Is the inflammation and
irritation of the mucous
membrane of the nose.
• This condition co-exist with
other respiratory problem like
asthma
• Rhinitis may be acute or
chronic, allergic or non allergic

9. Signs and symptoms

10. Diagnosis
 Allergy test is also performed.
 Careful history and physical examination
is performed to identify possible
exposure to allergens at home,
environment and working places.
 A blood test for IgE antibodies may also
be done to determine if allergies are the
cause

11. Treatment
Medical treatment
 avoid exposure to
allergens
 viral cause medication
may be prescribed to
relieve symptoms
 bacterial cause
antihistamines and
corticosteroids nasal
sprays
Nursing management
 A Nurse instructs a
patient with allergic
rhinitis to avoid
exposure to allergens
and irritants
 A Nurse instruct a
patient to correct
administer nasal
medication. E.g.
blowing a nose before
applying any
medication in order to
have maximal relief.

12. Sinusitis

13. Continue
-Sinuses are normally
protected from infection by
mucociliary.

14. Sign and symptoms

15. Investigation
Sinusitis includes:
 Physical examination
 X-ray of sinuses
 CAT scan of sinuses
 Nasal swab tests
 Sinus X-ray
 MRI scan
 CT scan

16. Medical management
 Antibiotics
 Decongestants
 Corticosteroid
 Humidification

17. Surgical management
Functional endoscopic sinus surgery

18. Endoscopic
sphenoethmoidectomy
 An operation to remove diseased tissue
from the sphenoid and ethmoid sinuses.

19. Pharyngitis

20. Continue
This is the inflammation and irritation of
the pharynx. This condition may be acute
or Chronic.

22. Etiology
 viral pharyngitis includes; adenovirus,
influenza virus.
 bacterial pharyngitis is streptococcus
pyogenes

23. Signs and symptoms
 sore throat
 dysphagia
 fever
 malaise
 cough
 and elevated wbc count

24. Diagnosis
 examining the throat
 swab throat

25. Medical management
 Viral pharyngitis is treated with
supportive measures
 bacterial pharyngitis is treated with
antimicrobial agents like penicillin and
erythromycin.

26. Tonsillitis
 Tonsillitis is inflammation of the tonsils,
typically of rapid onset. It is a type of
pharyngitis.

30. Management
Medical management
Surgical management
Nursing management

32. Continue
 This is the inflammation and irritation of
the voice box/larynx. The inflammation
causes narrowing of the upper airways
which leads to a hoarseness of the
voice, in some circumstance aphonia (
complete loss of voice)

35. Diagnostic evaluation

36. Management
Medical
Surgical
Nursing

37. Nursing management
Assessment:
 chief complaints
 history of allergy
 Inspect nasal mucosal
 Inspect the throat
 Palpate the neck lymph nodes

38. Nursing diagnosis
 Ineffective airway clearance as related to
excessive mucus production secondary to
retained secretion and inflammation
 Acute pain related to upper airway irritation
secondary to an infection
 Difficulty in breathing related to narrowing
of upper airways manifested by noisy
respiration
 Impaired verbal communication related to
narrowing and irritation of upper airway
secondary to infection or swelling

39. Recaptulization
 Topic: Nursing interventions for patient
with URTIS
 Date : 27-11-2017
 Venue: room no-204