Case Study, Chapter 24, Management of Patients With Chronic Pulmonary Disease
Objective: 5, 6
Howard Long is 50 years of age and is a male patient who is diagnosed with
bronchiectasis. The patient has smoked 1 pack per day of cigarettes for 35 years. He has a
long history of recurrent bronchial infections. He has a chronic productive cough with
copious amounts of purulent sputum. The patient complains that he is short of breath
even at rest. The patient has clubbing of his fingers. The chest CT scan reveals bronchial
dilation.
How should the nurse explain to the patient and family the pathophysiology of
bronchiectasis as it related to the symptoms the patient is experiencing?
How should the nurse explain to the patient and family the goals of medical
management that may be used to treat the bronchiectasis?
What does the nursing management for bronchiectasis entail?