Pulmonary Oedema refers to an accumulation of fluid in the interstitial spaces of the lungs that diffuses into the alveoli. This accumulation causes severe hypoxia. Thus, in pulmonary oedema nursing care, the patient’s oxygenation needs are prioritised.
Pulmonary Circulation VS Systemic Circulation
Pulmonary Oedema Pathophysiology
- excess vascular water fills the interstitium
- interstitial lymphatics situated within the pulmonary system are unable to drain excess water
- alveolar spaces flood and become unable to perform gas exchange due to ventilation/perfusion (V/Q) mismatch
RIGHT SIDE Heart Failure = Peripheral Oedema
LEFT SIDE Heart Failure = Pulmonary Oedema
Cardiogenic Pulmonary Oedema VS Non-Cardiogenic Pulmonary Oedema
Pulmonary oedema can be Cardiogenic Pulmonary Oedema a.k.a. Hydrostatic (pressure-related), Non-Cardiogenic Pulmonary Oedema (increased permeability), or a combination of both.
Cardiogenic Pulmonary Oedema a.k.a. Hydrostatic Oedema happens due to increased left ventricular filling pressure.
Non-Cardiogenic Pulmonary Oedema happens in the absence of elevated left ventricular pressure.
Pulmonary Oedema Signs & Symptoms + Radiographic Features
Pulmonary Oedema signs and symptoms onset is usually sudden, requiring immediate medical attention, usually due to intense dyspnoea resulting from the sudden V/Q Mismatch (happens when part of the lung receives oxygen without blood flow or blood flow without oxygen – respiratory reserve can help continue/preserve perfusion in V/Q mismatch, but only for a limited time), which leads to the patient becoming anxious and scared. Noisy respirations are also present due to secretions within the larynx and trachea. The patient’s skin becomes moist, cold and clammy – signs of shock.
Cyanosis develops rapidly in the late stage of respiratory failure. The patient develops a cough with copious frothy blood-stained sputum. Crepitations are heard throughout the chest on auscultation. A chest x-ray typically features a bat-like picture of the lungs. Note that a chest x-ray featuring pneumonia is very similar to one featuring pulmonary oedema, thus, in critical care it is important to distinguish between the two.
Full list of signs & symptoms of pulmonary oedema includes:
- restlessness
- anxiety
- breathlessness
- sense of suffocation
- cyanotic nail beds
- greyish skin tone
- cold and moist hands
- weak and rapid pulse
- jugular vein distension
- coughing
- increasing foamy sputum
- confusion and stuporous (as pulmonary oedema progresses)
- rapid noisy moist-sounding breathing
- significant decrease in oxygen saturation level
- assessment includes crackles on auscultation
Cardiogenic Pulmonary Oedema Causes
- Congestive Heart Failure (CHF) – the heart muscle doesn’t pump enough blood as it should, causing blood to back up, leading to fluid build-up in the lungs
- Mitral Stenosis – narrowing of the valve between the two left heart chambers which reduces or blocks the blood flow into the heart’s left ventricle, leading to left-sided heart failure
- Cor Pulmonale – a condition that causes the right side of the heart to fail
- Myocardial Infarction a.k.a. heart attack – when blood flow to the heart muscle is blocked
Non-Cardiogenic Pulmonary Oedema Causes
- Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome – ARDS occurs when fluid builds up in the alveoli, keeping the lungs from filling with enough air; less oxygen reaches the bloodstream, depriving the organs of much needed oxygen to function adequately
- Smoke Inhalation Burns
Pulmonary Oedema Nursing Care
- record and monitor vital signs
- administer high oxygen concentration to relieve cyanosis
- position patient in an upright position or with legs and feet down or ideally dangling over the side of bed to promote better circulation – correct positioning increases the vital capacity of the patient’s lungs
- reassure patient to reduce anxiety – do not leave patient alone
- morphine can be administered to help further with the reduction of anxiety, as well as dilating peripheral circulation leading to a reduction in left ventricular pressure during diastole; IMPORTANT – morphine can depress the respiratory system, so never leave patient unattended
- administer diuretics – monitor for medication effects including patient’s fluid and electrolyte levels; diuretics, especially if loop diuretics are administered, waste potassium and sodium; potassium administration may be required
- bronchodilators can be used to relieve bronchospasm and facilitate bronchial toilet a.k.a. toilet bronchoscopy – a potentially therapeutic intervention to aspirate retained secretions within the endotracheal tube and airways and revert atelectasis; aspiration of airway secretions is the most common indication to perform a therapeutic bronchoscopy in the intensive care unit (ICU)
- patients with pulmonary oedema are at times electively ventilated so that through PEEP,t further water leakage into the alveoli may be prevented
- identify and treat primary cause eg. need for mitral valve prosthesis, opening blocked arteries etc.
NOTE: intubation and mechanical ventilation may be required if the patient’s condition worsens; haemodynamic monitoring (BP and PAWP) and ABGs act as guidance in artificial ventilation management.
NOTE: PAWP refers to Pulmonary Artery Wedge Pressure which is the pressure within the pulmonary arterial system that occurs when catheter tip ‘wedges’ in the tapering branch of one of the pulmonary arteries.
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Claire is keen about public education on health-related subjects as well as holistic patient-centered care. She is also passionate about spreading awareness on the negative effects that domestic abuse leaves on its victims’ mental, emotional, social and physical wellbeing.
Claire aspires to continue studying following completion of her Nursing Degree, because she truly believes in lifelong education.
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