Reference no: EM133836132
Assignment:
Pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a chronic, progressive, and mostly fatal disease characterized by interstitial collagen deposition with varying degrees of alveolar bronchiolization. Many causes of IPF exist, including connective tissue disease (CTD), smoking, drugs, and family history, but idiopathic fibrosis has no definitive cause. SARS-CoV-2 directly binds to the ACE2 receptor with subsequent stimulation of the profibrotic cascade, leading to impaired repair response and pulmonary fibrosis (Alrajhi, 2023). The question remains: Is COVID-19 caused by interstitial lung disease or a coincidence? According to the research studies mentioned in the article, Pulmonary fibrosis as a long-term complication of COVID-19 has been reported by many centers, showing similarities between post-COVID-19 and idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (Alrajhi, 2023).
As an advanced practice nurse, it is important to note that Pulmonary fibrosis is more prevalent among the older male population, with diffuse alveolar damage (DAD) as the main pathological finding. The study confirmed the rate of acute changes, highlighted by the presence of GGO, in lung fibrosis, manifested as reticular abnormalities and traction bronchiectasis. Collagen deposition and lung aeration loss were the main pathological findings of a lung biopsy. Educating the medical staff, family, and patient about the risks of COVID-19's long-term effects on the lungs is important. It should include smoking cessation, universal precautions, and the spread of COVID-19, specifically among patients who have undergone ventilation and those who have received lung transplants.
- A wide variety of individuals on ventilation are at risk of developing Idiopathic Fibrosis after ventilation; the elderly male population is at higher risk, and the largest aging population can be affected.
- Collaborative care can improve patient outcomes and reduce the incidence of hospital-acquired COVID-19 in ventilator-dependent patients.
According to the article, chronic and mostly irreversible radiological abnormality coincided with functional abnormalities, where almost 39% and 57% of survivors of severe COVID-19 (Scale 5-6) had reduced total lung capacity (TLC) of <80% and reduced diffusion capacity of carbon monoxide (DLCO) of <80%, respectively (Alrajhi, 2023).
As an advanced practicing nurse focusing on infection control in your facility, how and what key factors would you educate the staff on regarding fresh post-op lung transplant patients in your unit? Furthermore, post-COVID-19 pulmonary fibrosis has been confirmed by surgical lung biopsy in several studies for patients with persistent symptoms and/or radiological abnormalities after recovery from acute COVID-19 infection to characterize the abnormalities further.
- Analyze the disease process.
- Explain how the physiologic process is clinically relevant or applicable.
- Based on the article, provide three key points you would like to share with the class. Consider any ethical, cultural, or social implications of the research that are relevant to clinical practice.