### **Nursing Care Plan for Upper Respiratory Tract Infection (URTI)**
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### **1. Assessment**
#### **Subjective Data**
- **Chief Complaint**: Sore throat, nasal congestion, cough, headache, fatigue.
- **History of Present Illness**:
- Duration and onset of symptoms.
- Presence of fever, chills, or difficulty breathing.
- Previous similar episodes or allergies.
- **Lifestyle Factors**:
- Smoking, exposure to pollutants, or secondhand smoke.
- Stress levels and sleep patterns.
#### **Objective Data**
- **Vital Signs**: Fever, increased respiratory rate, or normal vital signs in mild cases.
- **Physical Examination**:
- Redness or swelling in the throat or tonsils.
- Enlarged, tender cervical lymph nodes.
- Nasal discharge (clear or purulent).
- Hoarseness or coughing.
- **Diagnostic Tests**:
- Throat swab for bacterial or viral infections (if indicated).
- Chest X-ray (to rule out lower respiratory infections, if needed).
### **2. Nursing Diagnosis**
1. **Ineffective Airway Clearance related to excessive mucus production and nasal congestion.**
2. **Risk for Infection Transmission related to contagious nature of URTI.**
3. **Acute Pain related to throat inflammation and irritation.**
### **3. Goals**
1. **Short-Term Goals**:
- The patient will demonstrate improved airway clearance, as evidenced by a decrease in coughing and congestion within 48 hours.
- The patient will verbalize reduced throat pain within 24 hours after treatment.
- The patient will understand and implement infection control measures during the hospital stay.
2. **Long-Term Goals**:
- The patient will recover fully without complications within 7–10 days.
- The patient will demonstrate improved knowledge of prevention strategies to reduce the risk of future infections.
### **4. Interventions and Rationale**
#### **Ineffective Airway Clearance**
- **Intervention**:
1. Encourage the patient to perform deep breathing exercises and stay hydrated by drinking warm fluids (e.g., water, herbal teas, clear broths).
- *Rationale*: Moistens secretions, making them easier to expectorate.
2. Administer saline nasal sprays or steam inhalation as prescribed.
- *Rationale*: Helps clear nasal passages and relieve congestion.
3. Position the patient in a semi-Fowler's position.
- *Rationale*: Promotes lung expansion and reduces respiratory effort.
#### **Risk for Infection Transmission**
- **Intervention**:
1. Teach the patient proper handwashing techniques and the importance of using tissues when coughing or sneezing.
- *Rationale*: Prevents the spread of infection to others.
2. Provide a mask for the patient if they are in shared spaces.
- *Rationale*: Reduces the transmission of infectious droplets.
3. Educate the patient about completing prescribed antibiotic or antiviral therapy, if applicable.
- *Rationale*: Ensures complete eradication of pathogens.
#### **Acute Pain**
- **Intervention**:
1. Administer prescribed analgesics (e.g., acetaminophen or ibuprofen) to reduce pain and fever.
- *Rationale*: Relieves inflammation and associated discomfort.
2. Offer warm saltwater gargles for throat pain relief.
- *Rationale*: Reduces inflammation and soothes the throat.
3. Provide lozenges or throat sprays if tolerated.
- *Rationale*: Temporarily alleviates throat discomfort.
### **5. Evaluation**
1. The patient’s airway is clear, with decreased nasal congestion and productive coughing.
2. The patient reports reduced throat pain, rating pain on a scale of 0–10 within acceptable limits.
3. The patient demonstrates knowledge of infection control measures by practicing proper hand hygiene and mask use.
4. The patient shows no signs of complications, such as difficulty breathing or high fever, by the end of the care period.
### **6. Nursing Education**
1. **Hydration and Nutrition**:
- Drink plenty of fluids and consume a balanced diet rich in fruits and vegetables to boost immunity.
2. **Symptom Management**:
- Use over-the-counter remedies like saline sprays or lozenges as needed.
3. **Infection Control**:
- Practice hand hygiene, cover your mouth and nose while coughing or sneezing, and avoid close contact with others until symptoms subside.
4. **When to Seek Medical Attention**:
- Advise the patient to return if symptoms worsen, such as persistent fever >102°F, shortness of breath, or chest pain.
5. **Prevention**:
- Stay up to date with vaccinations (e.g., influenza vaccine).
- Avoid smoking and exposure to respiratory irritants.
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