Human Respiratory Pathogens Nursing Assignment 2022

Running head: NURSING ASSIGNMENT
NURSING ASSIGNMENT
Name of the student:
Name of the university:
Author note

NURSING ASSIGNMENT2
Introduction:
Influenza viruses are considered as the significant human respiratory pathogens that
affected 1 million people every year (Grant et al., 2018). Approximately 52000 cases of flu
were reported in 2018 where 1137 deaths were observed (Sullivan et al., 2017). Hence, influenza
has been chosen for this assignment for illustrating infection control precautions and nursing
care. The personal protective equipment and proper nursing care with the involvement of the
interdisciplinary team are essential for reducing the high prevalence of communicable disease
like influenza. The case study represents flu of jimmy Haledon, a 68-year-old resident of Sunset
Residential Aged Care Facility. This paper will illustrate infection control precaution,
Assessment and Nursing Care and Interdisciplinary team in following paragraphs.
Discuss Influenza:
Influenza viruses are the members of the family Orthomyxoviridae. Considering the
characteristics of the structure of the influenza virus, it is an enveloped virus where the genome
of the virus consists of segmented negative-sense single-strand RNA segments (Fielding et al.,
2016). There are four genera of this family whereas only genera A and B are clinically relevant
for humans as these two viruses have the potential virulence factor for infecting disease (Scott et
al, 2016). Colman (2018), highlighted that the eight genome segments present influenza A and B
viruses are loosely encapsulated by the nucleoprotein. The literature highlighted that two viral
protein such as haemagglutinin and neuraminidase are responsible virulence of influenza.
Haemagglutinin (BE) is an antigenic glycoprotein present in the surface of the influenza viruses.
It facilitates the binding of the virus with the host cell (Nachbagauer et al., 2016). On the other
hand, neuraminidase present on the surface of influenza responsible for the release of newly

NURSING ASSIGNMENT3
replicated viral cells. It cleaves the sialic acid of the host cell during infection. A can be divided
into distinct serotype based on their antigenic response to the cell.
Mode of transmission and risk in older adults:
People with the flu can spread the infection up to others within their 6feet away.
Influenza virus can be transmitted from infected to a healthy person in three ways :(1) by direct
contact with infected individuals; (2) direct contact with contaminated things such as (called
fomites, doorknobs); and (3)inhalation of virus-containing aerosol. These droplets containing flu
can land in the mouths as noses of people who are nearby or possibly be inhaled into the lungs
and infect the respiratory tract and patient experience flu-like symptoms such as productive
cough lethargy and reduced appetite (McLeod, Adunuri & Booth, 2019). Older adults are more
prone to develop flue because of the weak immune system. Older adults more than 65 years’
experience flu that leads to serious complication. The risk factors for older adults include chronic
lung diseases such as asthma, COPD, bronchiectasis, or cystic (Singh et al., 2018). The surgical
wounds and invasive devices also facilitate high risk of infection. The patient may have
experienced asthma or any respiratory tract infection which increases the risk (Singh et al.,
2018). Hence, these chronic conditions weaken the immunes system and facilitate the infection.
Infection control precaution:
Preventing the infection and transmission of the influenza virus required a multifaceted
approach where spreading is required to minimize health care workers, patients, and visitors.
According to the Australian Guidelines for the Prevention and Control of Infection in