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CPD practice profile which treatment was suitable for which age group. In addition, the article provided an outline of management of whooping cough in infants with complications, including maintaining oxygen saturation, close monitoring of vital signs, and ensuring good nutritional and hydration status.
Vaccination schedule
Whooping cough A CPD article enhanced Michael Danthis’s knowledge of the assessment and management of pertussis The CPD article was relevant to my practice because most upper respiratory tract infections exhibit similar symptoms initially. It is essential to be able to diagnose whooping cough because it is an acute and highly contagious disease. Whooping cough is transmitted via droplets in the air from coughing or sneezing. When a case is suspected, it is necessary to notify the local Public Health England centre because of the highly contagious nature of the condition. It is important to educate patients and relatives about preventing transmission, especially to infants and immunocompromised individuals. Assessment and diagnosis of an infant with whooping cough can be challenging because symptoms can be atypical. At presentation, infants may lack the typical cough and whoop, may be too weak to cough or may become apnoeic and cyanotic following a coughing episode.
Hospital admission should be considered for infants less than six months who present with symptoms of whooping cough. It is important the condition is diagnosed and treated in a timely manner to reduce transmission and to protect vulnerable patient groups. Cases of whooping cough are increasing in older children and adults, and the disease may then be transmitted to unimmunised infants. The information on recommended antibiotic treatment and post-exposure prophylaxis was useful because it was clear
This practice profile is based on NS719 Bentley J et al (2013) Whooping cough: identification, assessment and management. Nursing Standard. 28, 11, 50-57.
While caring for an infant with whooping cough, it is also important to allay the fears of parents by providing appropriate information and support. Vaccination against whooping cough is vital in preventing epidemics of the disease. The UK vaccination schedule includes the pertussis vaccine combined with other vaccines for infants at two, three and four months of age to confer maximum protection against whooping cough. However, the immunity conferred by the vaccine is not life-long, and booster vaccinations are required. In the UK, a booster vaccination for pertussis is offered to mothers 28-38 weeks into their pregnancy. I have applied the knowledge gained from reading the article to my practice. Writing a practice profile has increased my knowledge of the diagnosis and management of whooping cough NS Michael Danthis is a nurse at Ashcroft Care Home, Sutton-in-Ashfield, Nottinghamshire, and is on the Overseas Nurses Programme
Write your own practice profile You can gain a certificate of learning by reading a Nursing Standard CPD article and writing a practice profile. Turn to page 45 for this week’s article and on page 54 you can find out how to present and submit your practice profile.
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 STANDARD mayNo7 other :: vol uses 28 no 36 :: permission. 2014 53 Downloaded from RCNi.com by ${individualUser.displayName} on Sep 12, 2015. For personal use only. without Copyright © 2015 RCNi Ltd. All rights reserved. 053w36.indd 53
02/05/2014 11:34
CPD practice profile which treatment was suitable for which age group. In addition, the article provided an outline of management of whooping cough in infants with complications, including maintaining oxygen saturation, close monitoring of vital signs, and ensuring good nutritional and hydration status.
Vaccination schedule
Whooping cough A CPD article enhanced Michael Danthis’s knowledge of the assessment and management of pertussis The CPD article was relevant to my practice because most upper respiratory tract infections exhibit similar symptoms initially. It is essential to be able to diagnose whooping cough because it is an acute and highly contagious disease. Whooping cough is transmitted via droplets in the air from coughing or sneezing. When a case is suspected, it is necessary to notify the local Public Health England centre because of the highly contagious nature of the condition. It is important to educate patients and relatives about preventing transmission, especially to infants and immunocompromised individuals. Assessment and diagnosis of an infant with whooping cough can be challenging because symptoms can be atypical. At presentation, infants may lack the typical cough and whoop, may be too weak to cough or may become apnoeic and cyanotic following a coughing episode.
Hospital admission should be considered for infants less than six months who present with symptoms of whooping cough. It is important the condition is diagnosed and treated in a timely manner to reduce transmission and to protect vulnerable patient groups. Cases of whooping cough are increasing in older children and adults, and the disease may then be transmitted to unimmunised infants. The information on recommended antibiotic treatment and post-exposure prophylaxis was useful because it was clear
This practice profile is based on NS719 Bentley J et al (2013) Whooping cough: identification, assessment and management. Nursing Standard. 28, 11, 50-57.
While caring for an infant with whooping cough, it is also important to allay the fears of parents by providing appropriate information and support. Vaccination against whooping cough is vital in preventing epidemics of the disease. The UK vaccination schedule includes the pertussis vaccine combined with other vaccines for infants at two, three and four months of age to confer maximum protection against whooping cough. However, the immunity conferred by the vaccine is not life-long, and booster vaccinations are required. In the UK, a booster vaccination for pertussis is offered to mothers 28-38 weeks into their pregnancy. I have applied the knowledge gained from reading the article to my practice. Writing a practice profile has increased my knowledge of the diagnosis and management of whooping cough NS Michael Danthis is a nurse at Ashcroft Care Home, Sutton-in-Ashfield, Nottinghamshire, and is on the Overseas Nurses Programme
Write your own practice profile You can gain a certificate of learning by reading a Nursing Standard CPD article and writing a practice profile. Turn to page 45 for this week’s article and on page 54 you can find out how to present and submit your practice profile.
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 STANDARD mayNo7 other :: vol uses 28 no 36 :: permission. 2014 53 Downloaded from RCNi.com by ${individualUser.displayName} on Sep 12, 2015. For personal use only. without Copyright © 2015 RCNi Ltd. All rights reserved. 053w36.indd 53
02/05/2014 11:34
