Respiratory Nursing

History of nursing in Spain

In 1977, the specialties law separating Pulmonology from Cardiology was approved in Spain.

Since then, both specialties have been established separately, making great advances in medical research.
Nursing, in Spain, has been practiced as such since 1857 when the practitioner’s career could be studied as a regulated free education.

In 1924, the National Health School was founded, and its purpose was to train doctors and create a health nursing body that would act as auxiliary personnel, Health Technical Assistants, known as ATS.

Already in 1952 the laws were reformed and the titles of Practitioners, Midwives and Nurses were unified.

In this way, it gave rise to the recent title of Diploma in Nursing, with the recognition of a DUE university degree and the profession of Nursing, with its own body of knowledge.

Respiratory Nursing

  • In respiratory diseases, the nursing role is key in the appropriate approach to the patient.
  • Respiratory nursing focuses its care on promoting the highest degree of respiratory health in the population.
  • Respiratory nurses are advisors in managing the care of patients with respiratory problems.

That is, they evaluate and implement new ways of caring for respiratory patients and are experts in their field with extensive knowledge of respiratory complications both in the hospital environment and in the community.

For some authors, respiratory assessment is an essential element in the basic training of nursing students.

However, the reality is that general nurses express doubts regarding basic aspects of this, such as measuring respiratory rate or the technique for performing blood gases.

Currently, there is no recognized specialty as respiratory nursing in our country, despite it being a need expressed on numerous occasions by the group of nurses who provide care in the pulmonology environment.

Respiratory system

The respiratory system is a complex anatomical system that includes the lungs, airways, various parts of the central nervous system related to the control of ventilation, respiratory muscles and the rib cage.

The assessment is a systematic process that includes clinical history and physical examination that consists of:

  • Recognize changes in lung status.
  • Determine interference in daily activities.

Therefore, nursing staff must assess whether there are significant changes in these aspects; In addition, if there are factors that affect the respiratory control mechanisms

Among the characteristics to be evaluated we can mention the frequency, volume, rhythm, ease and efforts, respiratory sounds and chest movements in addition to the presence of cough and expectoration in the patient.

Importance of Respiratory Nursing

Respiratory nursing plays a fundamental role in many areas of patient care, such as the following:

  1. The hospitalization floor
  2. Functional testing laboratories
  3. Specialized consultations
  4. Patient care in the face of smoking
  5. lung transplant
  6. Bronchoscopy
  7. sleep unit
  8. Ventilation
  9. Home care.

In general, there are a variety of roles and responsibilities, depending on the environment and patient needs.

For example, they assess respiratory status and needs with tools such as pulse oximetry and chest x-rays.

They also develop and implement care plans in collaboration with other health professionals.

On the other hand, they administer medications and treatments such as oxygen therapy and bronchodilators.

Another very important aspect is to educate patients about their condition and how to prevent complications.

They also monitor progress and adjust care plans accordingly.

As well as providing emotional support to patients and their families.

Chronic respiratory diseases

On the other hand, it faces the care of chronic patients, which requires, in many cases, complex treatments such as:

  1. Non-invasive mechanical ventilation (NIMV)
  2. Treatment with continuous airway pressure (CPAP)
  3. Home respiratory therapies.

It is known that this type of treatment affects the patient and their families, as it involves a change in lifestyle and requires monitoring by specialized personnel.

Specific treatments

Likewise, currently, the route chosen for the treatment of obstructive respiratory diseases is inhaled.

Given the growing appearance of new devices and the importance of correct technique for their administration, constant updating by nursing staff is essential, where it plays a fundamental role in patient education.

Conclusions on respiratory nursing

For all these reasons, the existence of groups, as well as training and discussion forums, are essential.

The objective is to promote the growth of respiratory nursing and give value to the role of the specialized nurse.

Nurses are essential in the care and monitoring of patients with respiratory pathologies, being a reference for family members and caregivers.

Source: Centro Andaluz Alfa 1, Consejo General de enfermería, dialnet, sogapar

Centro Andaluz Alfa-1