Common Respiratory Conditions

Condition	Signs & Symptoms	How You Can Help . . .
The Common Cold	Runny nose and/or congestion.  Sore throat.  Cough. Headache.	Perform frequent mouth care.  Clean the client’s environment.  Run a cool mist humidifier. Offer warm, decaffeinated herbal tea with honey to loosen mucus and soothe throat.
Influenza	Fever, chills or severe sweats.  Body aches.  Sore throat. Weakness. Cough. Poor appetite. Congestion or runny nose. Difficulty breathing.	Give your client a warm shower or bath to  help clear sinuses and promote relaxation.  Encourage smokers to limit their intake since smoking can make the flu more severe.  Remind clients to take any anti-viral medications exactly as prescribed.  Not finishing the medication may make the flu worse.
Pneumonia	Symptoms start slowly and are similar to a cold—with a runny nose and a sore throat. Next, the person experiences fever, chills and a wet cough. Some clients may complain of sharp, stabbing chest pain when they breathe. Purple-ish skin due to reduced oxygen levels.	Encourage plenty of fluids to help loosen and thin the mucus in the lungs.  Report any complaints of pain from coughing or body aches right away so that your client can be treated. Encourage rest and extra sleep to help with recovery. Suggest eating several small meals, resting before eating and eating slowly.
Asthma	Frequent coughing.  Wheezing.  Chest tightness. Shortness of breath.	Help clients identify and avoid triggers.  Remain calm  and call for help if your client has an asthma attack.  Encourage clients to carry their asthma medications at all times.
Condition	Signs & Symptoms	How You Can Help . . .
COPD	Chronic cough.  Shortness of breath.  Chest tightness. Wheezing.	Help clients with COPD do their most important activities first—when they have the most energy.  Help clients balance activity with periods of rest. If your client is on oxygen, remember that no one should smoke near the oxygen tank. Encourage clients to get the flu and pneumonia vaccines as prescribed. Assist with pursed lip breathing exercises if ordered.

Preventing Common Respiratory Problems

• Wash your hands!  This is the single most important thing you can do to prevent the spread of respiratory infections.
• Practice respiratory hygiene and cough etiquette...and teach your clients to do the same.
• Support clients who are trying to cut down or quit smoking cigarettes.  Remind them that after just two months of not smoking, their lung function will increase by up to 30%!
• Monitor your clients’ vital signs for any respiratory issues such as breathing too fast and/or complaints of painful or difficult breathing.  Report any abnormal observations right away.
• Pneumonia can be deadly for people who have chronic illnesses, are bedridden and/or elderly.  Be sure to watch your clients for fever, chills, a wet cough, chest pain or heaviness, shortness of breath, headache, muscle aches, and/or extreme tiredness.  Your keen observations may save a life!