CPD reflective account
Whooping cough Whooping cough or pertussis is a contagious disease of the upper respiratory tract caused by the bacterium Bordetella pertussis. Whooping cough is transmitted via droplets in the air from sneezing or coughing and individuals are considered infectious from just before and up to 21 days after the onset of the cough. Usually it has an incubation period of seven to ten days, and the disease lasts six to eight weeks. The CPD article on whooping cough was informative on its cause and distribution; individuals who are at risk of developing the disease; the identification, assessment and management of such individuals; and the role of vaccination in prevention. The three stages of whooping cough are the catarrhal phase, which involves a dry unproductive cough and low grade fever; the paroxysmal phase, which is characterised by coughing episodes and difficulty breathing caused by partially closed vocal chords; and the convalescent phase, whereby symptoms gradually improve over several months. Infants with whooping cough present as acutely unwell and are susceptible to phases of apnoea and cyanosis. Therefore healthcare professionals working in emergency departments should be informed of the clinical presentation to deliver appropriate treatment in a timely manner. Infants aged six months and younger require hospital admission if they present with any signs and symptoms of whooping cough. People or groups who are considered
ALAMY
A CPD article improved Brenda Chivima’s knowledge of the diagnosis and treatment of this contagious disease
contact with infants and pregnant women. As young children and infants are at most risk, nursing care needs to be focused on this demographic. The nurse’s role in providing nursing care should focus initially on history taking when whooping cough is suspected.
Vital signs
to be at increased risk of developing whooping cough include vulnerable individuals at risk of severe complications, for example infants under one year old, and individuals at risk of transmitting the disease to others who are vulnerable, for example healthcare professionals who are in
This reflective account is based on NS719 Bentley J et al (2013) Whooping cough: identification, assessment and management. Nursing Standard. 28, 11, 50-57.
Assessment is important in cases of suspected whooping cough because of potential respiratory complications. Therefore, healthcare professionals should be trained in adult and paediatric life support to ensure adequate airway, breathing and circulation management. Measurement of vital signs is crucial in those who are considered to be non-emergency cases, with emphasis on the Paediatric Early Warning Systems in young children since children are at higher risk of respiratory crises. Treatment of whooping cough involves vaccination and use of antibiotics, and the CPD article helped me to understand the rationale for the use of different types of antibiotics in different groups of people. I have also learned that supportive nursing care is essential in the management of individuals with suspected or confirmed whooping cough, and I will apply this information to my future practice NS Brenda Chivima is a nursing student at the University of the West of England, Bristol
Write your own reflective account You can gain a certificate of learning by reading a Nursing Standard CPD article and writing a reflective account. Turn to page 50 for this week’s article and on page 62 you can find out how to present and submit your reflective account.
Visit the RCN Learning Zone The RCN Learning Zone is a FREE online service to help RCN members with their continuing professional development and professional portfolio management. The RCN Learning Zone can be found at www.rcn.org.uk/members/learningzone.php
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Whooping cough Whooping cough or pertussis is a contagious disease of the upper respiratory tract caused by the bacterium Bordetella pertussis. Whooping cough is transmitted via droplets in the air from sneezing or coughing and individuals are considered infectious from just before and up to 21 days after the onset of the cough. Usually it has an incubation period of seven to ten days, and the disease lasts six to eight weeks. The CPD article on whooping cough was informative on its cause and distribution; individuals who are at risk of developing the disease; the identification, assessment and management of such individuals; and the role of vaccination in prevention. The three stages of whooping cough are the catarrhal phase, which involves a dry unproductive cough and low grade fever; the paroxysmal phase, which is characterised by coughing episodes and difficulty breathing caused by partially closed vocal chords; and the convalescent phase, whereby symptoms gradually improve over several months. Infants with whooping cough present as acutely unwell and are susceptible to phases of apnoea and cyanosis. Therefore healthcare professionals working in emergency departments should be informed of the clinical presentation to deliver appropriate treatment in a timely manner. Infants aged six months and younger require hospital admission if they present with any signs and symptoms of whooping cough. People or groups who are considered
ALAMY
A CPD article improved Brenda Chivima’s knowledge of the diagnosis and treatment of this contagious disease
contact with infants and pregnant women. As young children and infants are at most risk, nursing care needs to be focused on this demographic. The nurse’s role in providing nursing care should focus initially on history taking when whooping cough is suspected.
Vital signs
to be at increased risk of developing whooping cough include vulnerable individuals at risk of severe complications, for example infants under one year old, and individuals at risk of transmitting the disease to others who are vulnerable, for example healthcare professionals who are in
This reflective account is based on NS719 Bentley J et al (2013) Whooping cough: identification, assessment and management. Nursing Standard. 28, 11, 50-57.
Assessment is important in cases of suspected whooping cough because of potential respiratory complications. Therefore, healthcare professionals should be trained in adult and paediatric life support to ensure adequate airway, breathing and circulation management. Measurement of vital signs is crucial in those who are considered to be non-emergency cases, with emphasis on the Paediatric Early Warning Systems in young children since children are at higher risk of respiratory crises. Treatment of whooping cough involves vaccination and use of antibiotics, and the CPD article helped me to understand the rationale for the use of different types of antibiotics in different groups of people. I have also learned that supportive nursing care is essential in the management of individuals with suspected or confirmed whooping cough, and I will apply this information to my future practice NS Brenda Chivima is a nursing student at the University of the West of England, Bristol
Write your own reflective account You can gain a certificate of learning by reading a Nursing Standard CPD article and writing a reflective account. Turn to page 50 for this week’s article and on page 62 you can find out how to present and submit your reflective account.
Visit the RCN Learning Zone The RCN Learning Zone is a FREE online service to help RCN members with their continuing professional development and professional portfolio management. The RCN Learning Zone can be found at www.rcn.org.uk/members/learningzone.php
NURSING :: vol 29without no 7 :: permission. 2014 61 DownloadedSTANDARD from RCNi.com by ${individualUser.displayName} on Nov 23, 2015. For personal useoctober only. No15 other uses Copyright © 2015 RCNi Ltd. All rights reserved.
