Skip to Main Content

71: BRONCHITIS

Eric Shamus, PhD, DPT, PT, CSCS; Marangela Obispo, MSPT, GCS

CONDITION/DISORDER SYNONYMS

  • Acute bronchitis

  • Inflammation-bronchi

ICD-9-CM CODES

  • 466 Acute bronchitis and bronchiolitis

  • 490 Bronchitis not specified as acute or chronic

  • 491 Chronic bronchitis

  • Associated physical therapy diagnosis

    • 780.7 Malaise and fatigue

    • 786.0 Dyspnea and respiratory abnormalities

    • 786.05 Shortness of breath

ICD-10-CM CODES

  • J20.9 Acute bronchitis, unspecified

  • J41.0 Simple chronic bronchitis

PREFERRED PRACTICE PATTERNS

  • 6C: Impaired Ventilation, Respiration/Gas Exchange, and Aerobic Capacity/Endurance Associated With Airway Clearance Dysfunction1

  • 6F: Impaired Ventilation and Respiration/Gas Exchange Associated With Respiratory Failure2

PATIENT PRESENTATION

A 39-year-old female arrives to the clinic with a diagnosis of back pain. She reports difficulty performing her job duties as a waitress in a casino due to symptoms of pain and tiredness. She has been a second-hand smoker for the past 3 years due to her job setting. Patient revealed that she had a mild fever 3 days ago which went away after taking acetaminophen—which she continues to take due to frequent headaches. She also reports onset of a cold approximately 1 week ago with current symptoms of sore throat, productive cough, and chest pain after coughing. She reports presence of sputum when coughing which turned from clear to yellowish in the last 2 days. Upon examination patient presents with normal vital signs with an O2 saturation of 94% at rest, normal ROM of all extremities and lumbar spine, and normal strength of all extremities. Functional mobility was normal with increased time required mainly due to fatigue. Her breathing sounds were abnormal with wheezing present after coughing. Blood tests, chest x-ray, and sputum culture were normal.

FIGURE 71-1

Chronic bronchitis, showing marked hyperplasia of the bronchial mucous glands. In this case, the glands occupy almost the entire area between the surface epithelium and cartilage, giving a Reid index of almost 1. (From Chandrasoma P, Taylor CR. Concise Pathology. 3rd ed. www.accessmedicine.com. Copyright © The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.)

image
View Full Size||Download Slide (.ppt)

KEY FEATURES

Description

  • Inflammation of the air passageways in the lungs

  • Categorized as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)

  • Acute or chronic

Essentials of Diagnosis

  • Can be acute or chronic

  • Diagnosis based on clinical manifestation

  • Acute bronchitis usually after a common cold (viral respiratory infection)

  • May get secondary bacterial infection

General Considerations

  • Influenza is a systemic illness involving the respiratory tract

  • Antibiotics have limited or no role in the treatment of a virus

  • Can develop into pneumonia

Demographics

  • Infants and young children

  • Elderly with weak immune system

FIGURE 71-2

A. Right lung in medial view. B. Bronchial tree and lungs. ...

Pop-up div Successfully Displayed

This div only appears when the trigger link is hovered over. Otherwise it is hidden from view.

This site uses cookies to provide, maintain and improve your experience. MH Privacy Center Close