Presenting Symptoms of Cystic Fibrosis: Assessment, Diagnostics, and Nursing Interventions

Reason for Seeking Health Care
 Difficulty in breathing
 Pertinent coughing with pain in chest
Presenting Symptoms
 Patient reports difficulty in breathing and frequent coughing
 Patient diagnosed with cystic fibrosis
 Patient reports not having a good feeling
Lab and Diagnostics
BP: 115/76, Pulse Rate: 85, RR: 28, Temp. 101.8 ̊ F, SPO2: 88%,
Body weight: 30 kg
Assessment Data
 Patient experiences
difficulty in breathing
 Patient seems anxious
 Patient experiences pain
while coughing
 Patient seems to have an
infection within the
respiratory tract
 The patient is seen to
cough with rhonchi
Preexisting Conditions
 Cystic Fibrosis
Expected Outcomes
 The patient’s respiratory effort seems labored
 Ineffective airway clearance and mucous buildup within
the lungs
 Potential lung infection
Risk Factors
 Genetic mutation within the
CFTR gene could lead to
Classes I,II and III classic
CFTR. Whereas mutations
leading to Classes IV and V
are not so server
 Decline in lung function
 Consumption of balanced
meal to avoid damage to
pulmonary and muscle
tissues
Patient Education
 Providing patient and
family education about
cystic Fibrosis
 The patient would be
educated about
appropriate medication
with proper rationale
 The patient would be
educated about self-
management strategies
such as deep breathing
exercises to improve
breathing
Nursing Interventions
 Monitor the ability of the patient to clear mucous
secretions
 Administer mild breathing exercises to ease
breathing
 Referral to a psychotherapist for alleviating mood
and affect
 Devising an appropriate diet plan according to the
cultural and religious belief of the patient