Inflammation: Its Role in Injury, Disease and Immunity.

Inflammation is an essential part of the immune system's which a process of responding to an injury. Through inflammation, the immune system receives a signal to repair damaged tissues and heal wounds (Nordqvist, 2017). Inflammation also signals the immune system to create a defense against bacteria and virus. Chronic inflammation is, however, dangerous as it is linked to diseases such as stroke and heart diseases as well as immune disorders such as lupus and rheumatoid arthritis.

What assessment findings would you expect to see with a person who has an inflammatory process? Explain the differences you would see for external inflammation and internal inflammation?

A person with an inflammatory process will exhibit signs such as pain in the affected areas caused by chemicals released that stimulate the nerve endings thereby making the area sensitive than before (Nordqvist, 2017). Redness that is associated with filled capillaries, swelling, heat, and immobility are some of the signs of an inflammatory process. For external inflammation, you will see physical signs such as redness, but for internal inflammation, there is high levels of glucose as well as signs problems in the digestive system such as bloating, gas and diarrhea.

What diagnostic tests might be ordered and what are expected findings of someone with inflammation?

One of the tests carried out to diagnose inflammation is a fasting insulin test. High glucose levels are a sign that there is inflammation (Nordqvist, 2017). Nerve conduction velocity (NCV) used to measure the speed of an electrical impulse to the nerve. The normal speed is 50 to 60 meters per second. This test can be coupled with EMGs to test nerve damage.

How would you interpret these assessment findings?

A speed of fewer than 50 meters per second may be an indicator that a person's nerve is damaged. However, a person can have normal NCV results and still have a damaged nerve.

What are nursing and medical interventions for patients with inflammation? List interventions for external inflammation and internal inflammation.

For external inflammation patients can be treated using ointments but for internal drugs such as ibuprofen, herbs and inflammation diet.

What signs and symptoms might alert the nurse to critical findings for patients with inflammation?

Symptoms such as chest pain, mouth sores, abdominal pain, fatigue, and joint pain alert the nurse of inflammation in a patient.

What education do you need to provide for patients with an inflammatory process?

Apart from taking the anti-inflammatory medications such as ibuprofen and naproxen patients should be advised on foods that they should or should not eat (Nordqvist, 2017). The reason why education is important is that some kinds of foods worsens inflammation while others reduce inflammation. A patient with inflammation should consume foods such as walnuts, spinach, salmon, tomatoes, and fruits such as oranges and blueberries.

He/she should, on the other hand, avoid deep-fried foods such as French fries, refined carbohydrates foods such as bread, red meat as well as soda. Eating healthy foods does not eliminate inflammation, but it helps in boosting immunity.

What medications would you expect to be ordered for these patients and why?

Inflammation patients should be offered non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) to control the pain (Nordqvist, 2017). Drugs in this category include aspirin, ibuprofen, and naproxen. I, however, expect that they are warned against taking these drugs without a doctor's prescription because they can increase the risk of ulcers, heart attack, and stroke.

List ways for inflammation prevention.

Avoid deep fried foods

Reduce the intake of sugary drinks.

Avoid foods that have carbohydrates

Avoid margarine and red meat (Libby, & Kobold, 2019).

How would you care differently for a child with an inflammatory process?

A Child with inflammation should be accorded special care. Inflammatory bowel disease affects children so the health practitioners should come up with a mechanism of controlling the condition so that the child can live a normal life and be able to achieve their goals. This can be realized through intravenous infusion therapies and nutritional therapy (Hotamisligil, 2006). The child with inflammatory disease needs to see a dietician who will advise the parent on what the child should and should not consume. This type of patient needs to be monitored to ensure that all micronutrients are sufficient in the body.

References

Libby, P., & Kobold, S. (2019). Inflammation: a common contributor to cancer, aging, and cardiovascular diseases-expanding the concept of cardio-oncology. Cardiovascular Research, 115(5), 824-829.

Hotamisligil, G. S. (2006). Inflammation and metabolic disorders. Nature, 444(7121), 860.

Nordqvist, C. (2017). Inflammation: Causes, symptoms, and treatment. Retrieved from https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/248423.php