Medicine Coursework: Pertussis (Coursework Sample)

Pertussis
Name:
Institution: Pertussis is also commonly known as the whooping cough. It is a respiratory disease and is highly contagious; caused by the bacterium called the Bordetella pertussis. The disease causes uncontrolled coughing making it hard for the patient to breath normally. As the patient tries to make the deep breaths amidst the coughs, they make the whooping sound hence the origin of the name. According to the CDC, in the year 2012, there were more than 48,277 cases that were reported worldwide (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2014). More than 20 patients died in that outbreak. The 2012 case is the most recent after the 1995 outbreak, where majority of the casualties were children. The highest deaths were recorded among the infants that were 3 months or younger (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2014). The second highest rate of infection was among the children at the ages between 7 and 10. The third largest infection rate was among the adolescents between the ages 13 and 14. In 2013, the infection rates fell to 28,639, while in January this year, the rate came down to 17,325 (Calson, 2011).
Lab testing can take several forms and one of them is by using swabs on the back of the nose, this way, the swab can be tested for the causative bacteria. It may take about 5-7 days for the culture to grow. Blood tests are also common where the lab results may indicate the presence of Pertussis toxins antibodies (HYPERLINK "/script/main/art.asp?articlekey=41529" \t "_blank"Stöppler & HYPERLINK "/script/main/art.asp?articlekey=6930" \t "_blank"Marks, 2013). A polymerase chain reaction can also be carried out where the lab technicians will be looking for the unique DNA of the bacteria. This method also involves the swabbing process of the back of the nose. An oral fluid testing is also common with the patients that do not want to take a blood test.
There are a variety of treatment options that are available for managing the disease and making sure that it does not spread to other persons in the vicinity. Patients should be treated using antibiotics as prescribed by the doctors. At the same time, the patients can be treated with vaccines, which are given to children. These vaccines are administered three times to children at the age of 2, 4 and 6 months. The fourth dose is given to 15 and 18 months old, while the fifth dose is given to the children at the age of 4-6 years. Teenagers and adults can also be given Tdap shots to boost their immunity (Calson, 2011). To ensure immunity in all adults, they should take the vaccine every 10 years. The Pertussis vaccine is a combination as it also contains vaccines for tetanus and diphtheria (Kidshealth.org, 2014). This vaccine is commonly referred to as the DTaP vaccine, given to children. It is also important that the environment around a patient is kept free of irritants such as dust, perfumes, smoke or other chemicals that will irritate the patient (Kidshealth.org, 2014). The patient should also take plenty of fluids to avid dehydration. To soothe the coughs, the patient can use clean and cool mist vaporizers, which also lessens the secretions. When the patients eat, they should do so in small bouts to avoid vomiting.
Registered nurses should make sure that they decrease the likelihood of the patients succumbing to the symptoms while protecting the rest of the population contracting the disease. One of the long-term goals that the nurses should engage in is patients’ education. By helping the patients and their guardians understand the various aspects of the disease and the best ways to protect and respond to the common symptoms, the population is much safer (HYPERLINK "/script/main/art.asp?articlekey=41529" \t "_blank"Stöppler & HYPERLINK "/script/main/art.asp?articlekey=6930" \t "_blank"Marks, 2013). At the same time it is important that, the nurses engage in the vaccination of the patients, to ensure that they develop immunity against the bacteria. The short term goals include the monitoring of the symptoms and the vital signs of the patient. At the same time the nurses have to monitor the diet and medication of the patient, to ensure faster recovery (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2014). The nurse should also make sure that the patient is in an environment that does not encourage spread or aggravation of the conditions. This means that the room humidity should be heightened and all the irritants such as dust and smoke should not get to the patient. At the catarrhal stage the patient should be isolated to avoid spreading. It is important that the patient gets enough bed and mental rest to ensure faster recovery (HYPERLINK "/script/main/art.asp?articlekey=41529" \t "_blank"Stöppler & HYPERLINK "...