Respiratory conditions

Abstract Respiratory conditions can present as acute health problems or long-term debilitating disorders. They are common in the adult population, and many aspects of respiratory care are delivered by advanced practitioners and specialist nurses. General adult nurses are likely to encounter people with respiratory disease across all care settings. This chapter outlines key facts about respiratory disease which are likely to be relevant to the general nurse. These include an overview of acute and chronic respiratory conditions and a summary of associated clinical investigations and treatment approaches, including a section on oxygen therapy. The chapter also has a short section on key facts related to thoracic surgical interventions. Nursing considerations when working with people with respiratory disease, in hospital and at home, are outlined, and an overview of frequently prescribed medicines is presented in a summary table.