Bronchitis
Structured condition card with NCLEX priority cues and nursing action focus.
RespiratoryInfectious Diseasemedium priorityneeds review
Bronchitis
Also testable as: Acute bronchitis, Chest cold, Chronic bronchitis
Etiology / Pathophysiology
- Airway inflammation is often viral acutely; chronic bronchitis is commonly linked to long-term airway irritation such as smoking.
- Bronchial swelling and mucus production cause cough, wheeze, and chest tightness.
Medications
| Class | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Bronchodilators | May be used when bronchospasm or wheeze is present. |
Signs / symptoms
- Cough with mucus and wheeze after URI.
- Antibiotic stewardship cue.
- Low oxygen changes priority.
Nursing actions
- Assess work of breathing, oxygen saturation, lung sounds, fever, sputum, and risk factors.
- Teach fluids, rest, cough hygiene, smoking avoidance, and that antibiotics are not routine for viral bronchitis.
- Escalate dyspnea at rest, cyanosis, confusion, persistent high fever, or hypoxia.
Complications
- Pneumonia
- COPD exacerbation
- Hypoxia
- Dehydration
NCLEX cues
- Cough with mucus and wheeze after URI.
- Antibiotic stewardship cue.
- Low oxygen changes priority.
Memory hooks
- Bronchitis is inflamed bronchi making mucus.
Labs / Diagnostics
- Pulse oximetry
- Chest x-ray if pneumonia concern
- Sputum testing only when ordered
Review notes
- Supplemental wife-requested study card. Use for NCLEX review only and verify against school materials, ATI/NCLEX review sources, current orders, and facility policy.
Cross references
Related cards are generated from the shared study map, not hand-built per page.
Source entitycondition card
Bronchitis
Condition card for Bronchitis: recognize the testable cue, prevent the complication, and choose the safest first nursing action.
Procedurecondition
Airway clearance therapy
Techniques that help mobilize and remove respiratory secretions.
Procedurecondition
Nebulized medication administration
Inhaled medication delivery through aerosolized mist.
Procedurecondition
Sputum culture
Respiratory specimen collected to identify infectious organisms.
Med classmedication safety
Bronchodilators
Opens narrowed airways by relaxing bronchial smooth muscle or reducing vagal bronchoconstriction.