Nursing 213

N213: Health Differences Across the Lifespan 3 Study Guide • Give anti-viral medications per MD order: o Tamiflu (oseltamivir): This was the original drug used to treat avian influenza, but has demonstrated some resistance with a few strains of this virus. It is still the drug of choice for prophylaxis among employees who work with live poultry. o Relenza (zanamivir): This is a newer version of antiviral that has been found to have less resistance factors and is used for treatment and prophylaxis of avian influenza. o It has been discussed that a possible combination of the two anti-virals may be optimal for prophylaxis in the case of a pandemic. • Teach patients and families about strict isolation precautions with thisvirus • Isolation should last from seven days after the start of symptoms until 24 hours after symptoms subside; avoid crowds, school, and hospitals Expected outcomes for avian influenza (H5N1): • Demonstrates ability to maintain effective respirations • Demonstrates relief of symptoms • Demonstrates increased activity levels • Demonstrates adequate PO intake • Verbalizes understanding of disease transmission and isolation precautions Legionnaires’ Disease This is a bacterial infection that is spread via contaminated water. It turns to a mist and passes through air conditioning systems or anywhere that has standing vapor that is contaminated. The causative organism is legionella pneumophila. This infection does not spread from person to person, which makes isolation unnecessary. However, any areas found to have L. pneumophila need to be evacuated. This infection affects the lungs, but can spread to other body systems quickly. Contaminated water can also infect open wounds. It is more serious in people who smoke, are over the age of 65, have chronic health conditions, or suffer from a lung condition. This infection has a very high mortality rate, but it can be successfully treated with antibiotics. Example The Jones family lives in a very rural area and their house is supplied by well water. The house is also cooled by a swamp cooler that gets its water supply from the household well. Over the summer, three different family members contracted pneumonia and had to be hospitalized. The hospital contacted the local health department who did testing on the well and found legionella in the water. Remediation measures were instituted to remove the bacteria from the well and all family members fully recovered.

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