Infant respiratory distress syndrome (IRDS)
also known as Neonatal respiratory distress syndrome, respiratory distress syndrome of newborn, and previously called hyaline membrane disease.
It is a syndrome in premature infants caused by developmental insufficiency of surfactant production and structural immaturity in the lungs.
It can also result from a genetic problem with the production of surfactant associated proteins. RDS affects about 1% of newborn infants and is the leading cause of death in preterm infants.
Manifestations:
- tachypnea
- cyanosis
- glassy appearance of the alveolar membranes
Pathology:
Allodynia
A form of hyperesthesia. Hyerperesthesias include both allodynia and hyperalgesia.
Results when a stimulus that should produce a normal sensation is experienced as pain.
Constipation etiology
- Immobility or decreased activity level
- inadequate intake of fluids and dietary fibre
- failure to respond to the urge to defecate
- chronic use of stimulant laxatives
- increased serum progesterone levels in women.
Associated with immobility or decreased levels of physical activity
Bowel Care
Bowel Care Step by Step
Step 1: Exercise–Fluid–Fibre–Toileting Regimen
Step 2: Bulk-Forming Laxatives
Step 3: Stool Softeners
- Docusate sodium (Colace)* 100 to 400 mg daily
Step 4: Osmotic Laxatives
eg. Lactulose and Magnesium Sulfate
- Lactulose (Cephalac) 70% liquid solution 30-45 ml OD or BID
- Sorbital liquid* 15 ml TID, then OD
- Magnesium sulfate* 10-30 mg OD
Step 5: Stimulants
eg. Senokot 0.5 to 2 grams OD or BID
Step 6: Suppository Enema
eg. Glycerine, Dulcolax, Fleet = Sodium/Phosphate enema.
- -Glycerine suppository* – one rectally PRN (Semla et al., 1997)
- -Bisacodyl (Dulcolax)* 5-10 mg suppository – one rectally PRN
- -Sodium/Potassium phosphate enema (Fleets)* 133 ml(21.3 grams)
- instill rectally PRN (Gibson et al., 1995)
Bowel Care Day by Day
Day #3 without bowel movement
- In combination with Step #1:
- Begin at step #2 and proceed through step #5 as needed.
Day #4 without bowel movement:
- Repeat steps #2 through #5.
Day #5 without bowel movement:
- Go to step #6.
Toronto best practice in long term care initiative. 2006. Policy and Procedure manual for bladder and bowel management. Retrieved December 11, 2010 from http://rgp.toronto.on.ca/torontobestpractice/Policyprocedurebladderandbowelmanagement.pdf
Polycystic ovary syndrome
Female endocrine disorder causing cysts to develop in the ovaries which results in infertility.
Manifestations:
- infertility
- obesity
- Vincentosity
- anovulation (resulting in irregular menstruation) or amenorrhea
- acne
- excessive amounts or effects of androgenic (masculinizing) hormones.
Gastrocele
Hernial protrusion of the stomach or of a gastric pouch.
Apoplectic
Derived from the greek word apoplexy.
Refers to bleeding in a cerebrovascular accident (stroke).
It can be used non-medically referring to a state of extreme rage or excitement.
Burns
Classifications of burns:
Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO)
Extracorporeal technique of providing both cardiac and respiratory support oxygen to the body when the heart and lungs are unable to do so.
This technique is commonly called the “heart-lung machine”
Mechanism:
Blood is directed through a circuit with a “membrane oxygenator” that acts like a lung to deliver oxygen into the blood stream.
Applications:
- cardiac and lung surgeries
- in cases of recovery from severe lung trauma or lung transplantation.
- used for neonates with pulmonary hypoplasia, or other temporary lung problems, such as meconium aspiration syndrome.
Continued patient assessment and monitoring is determined n the following manner:
The rule of nines for burns
The rule of nines determines the amount of the body surface area that has been affected by the burns.
Medically Speaking 
