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Influenza (also known as flu, or grippe) is an acute inflammation of the nasopharynx, trachea, and bronchioles, with congestion, edema, and the possibility of necrosis of these respiratory structures. Influenza is a highly contagious infection of the respiratory tract caused by three different types of Myxovirus influenzae. It occurs sporadically or in epidemics which peaks usually during colder months.
Nursing Care Plans
Unless complications occur, influenza doesn’t require hospitalization and patient care usually focuses on the relief of symptoms.
Here are six (5) nursing care plans (NCP) and nursing diagnosis (NDx) for Influenza (Flu):
- Ineffective Airway Clearance
- Ineffective Breathing Pattern
- Hyperthermia
- Acute Pain
- Deficient Knowledge
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Ineffective Breathing Pattern
Nursing Diagnosis
May be related to
- Inflammation from viral infection
- Pneumonia
- Hemorrhagic bronchitis
Possibly evidenced by
- Coughing
- Tachypnea
- Hemoptysis
- Cyanosis
- Dyspnea
- Pulmonary edema
- Fever
- Weakness
- Diaphoresis
- Fatigue
- Leukopenia
- Sputum
- Warm flushed skin
- Erythema to tonsils, soft and hard palate and pharyngeal wall
- Abnormal chest X-rays
Desired Outcomes
- Patient will achieve and maintain normal respiratory pattern and rate, with no adventitious breath sounds to auscultation.
- Patient will be able to expectorate secretions effectively.
- Patient will maintain and adhere to isolation precautions.
- Patient will be able to utilize relaxation techniques to improve pain and facilitate breathing.
| Nursing Interventions | Rationale |
|---|---|
| Assess vital signs, carefully monitoring respiratory status for baseline rate, rhythm, and character, and notify the physician or significant changes. | Changes may reflect early signs of respiratory compromise and insufficiency. |
| Monitor pulse oximetry readings and notify the physician if <90% | Oximetry approximates arterial blood gas oxygen saturation and helps to identify oxygenation dysfunction and respiratory status changes. |
| Auscultate breath sounds every 2-4 hours and as needed. Notify physician of changes. | Assists with the identification of changes in respiratory status, the presence of adventitious breath sounds or decreased breath sounds. The elderly patient may have infiltrates in the interstitium, bilateral lobes, and anterior and lower lung fields. |
| Administer oxygen as ordered. | Provides supplemental oxygen and helps alleviate respiratory distress caused by hypoxemia. |
| Assess patient for complaints of pain and medicate as needed. | Pain decreases respiratory effort and chest excursion, which decreases ventilation and perfusion. Analgesia relieves pain and promotes improved respiratory effort. |
| Encourage patient to maintain semi-Fowler’s or high Fowler’s position as tolerated. | Promotes chest expansion and enhances respiratory effort. |
| Encourage patient and assist with the use of incentive spirometry, nebulizers, etc., as ordered | Assists to prevent atelectasis or lung collapse and ensure proper use of equipment. |
| Perform chest physiotherapy, chest percussion, and postural drainage as ordered. | Helps improve airway clearance and respiratory effort. Helps clear secretions. |
| Encourage patient to change position every 2 hours and as needed, and assist as needed. | Facilitate comfort and mobilizes pulmonary secretions. |
| Provide and encourage fluid intake of at least 2 L/day unless contraindicated. | Maintain hydration and helps to liquefy secretions to enable patients to expectorate sputum. |
| Maintain ordered isolation techniques. | Prevents cross contamination and exposure to pathogens. |
| Instruct patient and/or SO regarding isolation requirements and ensure that they adhere to the proper techniques. | Provides knowledge, decreases fear and helps prevent further spread of infection. |
| Teach the patient how to use a pillow to split chest with cough efforts. | Assists to reduce pain associated with cough. |
| Instruct patient in relaxation techniques, guided imagery, muscle relaxation, and breathing exercises. | Assist in pain reduction and alleviates anxiety which may improve respiratory effort and oxygenation. |
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See Also
You may also like the following posts and care plans:
- Nursing Care Plan: The Ultimate Guide and Database – the ultimate database of nursing care plans for different diseases and conditions! Get the complete list!
- Nursing Diagnosis: The Complete Guide and List – archive of different nursing diagnoses with their definition, related factors, goals and nursing interventions with rationale.
Communicable and Infectious Diseases Care Plans
Care plans related to communicable and infectious diseases:
- Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS) (HIV Positive) | 13 Care Plans
- Acute Rheumatic Fever | 4 Care Plans
- Dengue Hemorrhagic Fever | 2 Care Plans
- Herpes Zoster (Shingles) | 4 Care Plans
- Influenza (Flu) | 5 Care Plans
- Pulmonary Tuberculosis | 5 Care Plans
Respiratory Care Plans
Care plans about respiratory system disorders:
- Asthma | 8 Care Plans
- Bronchiolitis | 5 Care Plans
- Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) | 5+ Care Plans
- Cystic Fibrosis | 5 Care Plans
- Hemothorax and Pneumothorax | 3 Care Plans
- Influenza (Flu) | 5 Care Plans
- Lung Cancer | 5 Care Plans
- Mechanical Ventilation | 6 Care Plans
- Near-Drowning | 5 Care Plans
- Pleural Effusion | 6 Care Plans
- Pneumonia | 8+ Care Plans
- Pulmonary Embolism | 4 Care Plans
- Pulmonary Tuberculosis | 5 Care Plans
- Tracheostomy | 5 Care Plans