Question

Describe the pathophysiology of cystic fibrosis and how it relates to weight loss and fatigue as you would to educate your patient, including common signs and symptoms or findings. List any additional teaching that is pertinent to the condition, including possible treatment options.

Answer 1

Cystic fibrosis

it is an inherited life threatening disorder that damages the lung and digestive system. It affects the cells that produce mucus ,sweat,and digestive juices.it causes thease fluids to become thick and sticky. Then they plug up tubes ,ducts and passage ways.

Signs and symptoms

In CF,symptoms will vary according to the severity of the disease. People who are not diagnosed untill adult hood, usually have milder disease(atypical symptoms) like inflamed pancreas ,infertility and recurring pneumonia. People with CF have a higher level of salt than normal level in their swets.

# Respiratory symptoms.

*persistent cough with thick sputum. *wheezing . *exercise intolerance. *repeated lung infections. *recurrent sinusitis.

#Digestive symptoms

A thick mucus can also block tubes that carry digestive enzymes from your pancreas to your small intestine. Without these digestive enzymes, your intestines aren't able to completely absorb the nutrients in the food you eat.it will result *Foul-smelling, greasy stool. *Poor weight gain and growth. *Intestinal blockage, particularly in newborns (meconium ileus) * severe constipation.

Possible treatment options.

There is no cure for CF but treatment can ease symptoms .it reduces the complications and improve the quality of life.

# Medication are given to target the gene mutation( the main cause of CF is gene mutation. CFTR gene. That regulates the movements of salt in and out of the cells.)   # Antibiotics for lung infections . # Mucus thinning drugs and bronchodilators. # Stool softeners

Complications.

# Damaged airway

# chronic infections in lung

# Infertility

#Hemoptysis(blood in cough)

#Pneumothorax

#Respiratory failure

# Electrolyte imbalance