Title: LIFE & HEALTH

One more reason not to pick your nose: pneumonia

Author: Henrietta Fore
Date of Publication: 9:04 AM, November 12, 2019
Source: https://www.rappler.com/science-nature/life-health/214061-pneumococcus-spread-
nose-hands

Summary
British scientists say they have proved for the first time that the disease-causing bacteria can be
transmitted manually via the nose and hands. PARIS, France – Parents exasperated by their
children constantly ignoring pleas to stop picking their noses, may have finally found an
argument to break the habit: it might give you pneumonia. British scientists said Thursday,
October 11, they had proved for the first time that the disease-causing bacteria can be transmitted
manually via the nose and hands. They were then given the unenviable choice of 4 tasks: "wet
sniff," "dry sniff", "wet poke", and "dry poke" designed to mimic everyday actions that see
people touch or rummage around inside their noses. This study has shown that the hands can
spread this bacteria as well and objects like mobile phones or children's toys could also be
adding to the spread of this bacteria.

Reflection
Life is very fragile. We live in a world that is here today and gone tomorrow and we tend to
overlook that in the life that we are given, there are only two things promised: the time we have
at this moment, and the inevitable death in the future. According to a famous historian, Thomas
Fullers “Health is not valued until sickness comes.” Indeed, practicing good hygiene and healthy
habits help prevent pneumonia. Thorough and frequent hand cleaning, coughing or sneezing into
an elbow or sleeve instead of hands, avoiding interaction with those who are sick, receiving
proper nutrition, and getting adequate rest are all the things that can be done can do to ward off
the bacteria and viruses that can cause pneumonia. As a healthcare provider, it is, therefore,
necessary to educate and evaluate patients learning needs and identify areas that may need
further teaching, especially among adults and children (Weaver, Mays, Hopkins, Eroglu, &
Bernhardt, 2010) We nurses must inform patients with the following to prevent pneumonia:
Increasing access to immunization, lessening indoor and outdoor air pollution, and becoming
knowledgeable about warning signs to identify infection, specifically a cough, fast breathing,
and/or difficulty breathing will help prevent infection. And lastly, Breastfeeding during the first
six months is critical in preventing pneumonia. Breast milk contains a nourishing supply of
nutrients, antioxidants, hormones, and antibodies a child needs for growth and development.
Article
British scientists say they have proved for the first time that the disease-causing bacteria can be
transmitted manually via the nose and hands
PARIS, France – Parents exasperated by their children constantly ignoring pleas to stop picking
their noses, may have finally found an argument to break the habit: it might give you pneumonia.

Pneumococcus, the bacteria that causes pneumonia – a lung condition that can prove deadly if
untreated – is known to spread through airborne droplets, often from the coughs and sneezes of
infected individuals.

British scientists said Thursday, October 11, they had proved for the first time that the disease-
causing bacteria can be transmitted manually via the nose and hands.

In a trial, the results of which were published in the European Respiratory Journal, a group of
adult volunteers had the bacteria applied to their hands.

They were then given the unenviable choice of 4 tasks: "wet sniff," "dry sniff", "wet poke", and
"dry poke" designed to mimic everyday actions that see people touch or rummage around inside
their noses.

"This study has shown that the hands can spread this bacteria as well and objects like mobile
phones or children's toys could also be adding to the spread of this bacteria," Victoria Connor, a
clinical research fellow at the Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine and Royal Liverpool
Hospital, told Agence France-Presse.

Globally, pneumonia kills an estimated 1.3 million infants under 5 each year, and Connor said
although the trial was conducted with adults, the main lesson was for parents of young children.

"It might not be realistic to get children to stop picking, poking and rubbing their noses," she
said.

"But for parents... ensuring good hand hygiene and cleaning of toys or surfaces would likely
reduce transmission, and reduce the risk of developing pneumococcal infection such as
pneumonia."

Participants in the study were just as likely to get the bacteria in their noses whether they were
exposed to wet or dry pneumococcus samples, said the researchers.

But the total amount transmitted was higher in the "wet sniff" and "wet poke" groups, suggesting
that the process of drying out may kill some of the bacteria.
 Ateneo de Davao University
In Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements in
Emergency Room

Submitted to:

Anna Liza Saus, RN, MAN

Submitted by:

Evangelista, Aubrey Unique

January 29, 2020

Generic Name

ACETYLCYSTEINE

Brand Name: Airbron, Mucomyst, Mucosol, N-Acetylcysteine, Acetadote, Acys-5

Classification: SKIN AND MUCOUS MEMBRANE AGENT; MUCOLYTIC; ANTIDOTE

General Action: Acetylcysteine probably acts by disrupting disulfide linkages of mucoproteins

in purulent and nonpurulent secretions.

Dose and Route: 600 mg/1 tablet OD

Indications or Purposes: Adjuvant therapy in patients with abnormal, viscid, or inspissated

mucous secretions in acute and chronic bronchopulmonary diseases.

Pharmacokinetics

Absorption: Absorbed from the GI tract following oral administration. Action is local following
Inhalation; remainder may be absorbed from pulmonary epithelium.
Distribution: Crosses the placenta; 0.47 L/kg.
Protein Binding: 83% bound to plasma proteins.
Metabolism and Excretion: Partially metabolized by the liver, 22% excreted renally.
Half-life: Adults—5.6 hr (qin hepatic impairment) newborns—11 hr
Side effects

CNS: Drowsiness.

CV: Vasodilation, tachycardia, hypotension.

EENT: Rhinorrhea. Resp: bronchospasm, bronchial/tracheal irritation, chest tightness,increase

secretions.

GI: Nausea, vomiting, stomatitis. Derm: rash, clamminess, pruritus, urticaria. Misc: allergic
reactions (primarily with IV), including ANAPHYLAXIS, ANGIOEDEMA, chills, fever

Contraindications: Hypersensitivity to acetylcysteine; patients at risk of gastric hemorrhage.

Nursing Responsibilities:

Assessment & Drug Effects

1. Monitor for S&S of aspiration of excess secretions, and for bronchospasm

(unpredictable); withhold drug and notify physician immediately if adverse reaction
occurs.
2. Lab tests: Monitor ABGs, pulmonary functions and pulse oximetry as indicated.
3. Have suction apparatus immediately available. Increased volume of respiratory tract fluid
may be liberated; suction or endotracheal aspiration may be necessary to establish and
maintain an open airway. Older adults and debilitated patients are particularly at risk.
4. After opening, solution for inhalation may turn light purple; does not alter potency.
Refrigerate open vials and discard after 96 hr.
5. Drug reacts with rubber and metals (iron, nickel, copper); avoid contact
6. Report difficulty with clearing the airway or any other respiratory distress.
7. Report nausea, as an antiemetic may be indicated.
8. Note: Unpleasant odor of inhaled drug becomes less noticeable with continued use.
9. If the patient vomits any oral dose within 1 hour of administration, repeat that dose.

10. Before using this medication, tell the doctor or pharmacist of all prescription and

nonprescription/herbal products may the patient use.

 ANECDOTAL

What did I do today?

The 2 days clinical exposure in the Emergency Room includes wide range of clinical learning

experiences on the care of patients with various health disorders, applying the nursing process,

the core of the nursing practice and application also of related skills learned during the previous

years with the clinical Instructor and staff’s supervision. In the ER we have to do things as fast as

we could because every second we miss take away our patient’s life. Inside the ER I was given

the opportunity to do cannulation, catheterization, suctioning, CPR, and other clinical

procedures. .

What did I learn?

A nurse inside the ER must at all time be attentive, alert, and prepared. Inside the ER, the pace is

quick and one should not be negligent of details. Every patient admitted are in need of urgent

attention, which must be given.

What do I need to do now?

I should understand the importance of responding promptly to emergencies and sudden

incidences and is prepared for all sorts of surprises with a composed mind and a calm attitude.