Five Feet Apart: 1. What Is CF?

FIVE FEET APART
1. What is CF?
Cystic fibrosis is a serious genetic condition that causes severe damage to the respiratory
and digestive systems. This damage often results from a buildup of thick, sticky mucus in the
organs. The most commonly affected organs include the lungs, pancreas, liver, and intestines.
Cystic fibrosis affects the cells that produce sweat, mucus, and digestive enzymes.
Normally, these secreted fluids are thin and smooth like olive oil. They lubricate various organs
and tissues, preventing them from getting too dry or infected. In people with cystic fibrosis,
however, a faulty gene causes the fluids to become thick and sticky. Instead of acting as a
lubricant, the fluids clog the ducts, tubes, and passageways in the body. This can lead to life-
threatening problems, including infections, respiratory failure, and malnutrition. It’s critical to get
treatment for cystic fibrosis right away. Early diagnosis and treatment are critical for improving
quality of life and lengthening the expected lifespan.
2. What are the signs and symptoms associated with CF?
The symptoms of cystic fibrosis can vary depending on the person and the severity of the
condition. The age at which symptoms develop can also differ. Symptoms may appear at infancy,
but for other children, symptoms may not begin until after puberty or even later in life. As time
passes, the symptoms associated with the disease may get better or worse.
One of the first signs of cystic fibrosis is a strong salty taste to the skin. Parents of children
with cystic fibrosis have mentioned tasting this saltiness when kissing their children.
Respiratory Problems
The thick, sticky mucus associated with cystic fibrosis often blocks the passageways that
carry air into and out of the lungs. This can cause the following symptoms:
 wheezing
 a persistent cough that produces thick mucus or phlegm
 shortness of breath, especially when exercising
 recurrent lung infections
 a stuffy nose
 stuffy sinuses
Digestive Problems
The abnormal mucus can also plug up the channels that carry the enzymes produced by
the pancreas to the small intestine. Without these digestive enzymes, the intestine can’t absorb
the necessary nutrients from food. This can result in:
 greasy, foul-smelling stools
 constipation
 nausea
 a swollen abdomen
 loss of appetite
 poor weight gain in children
 delayed growth in children
3. Identify the s/sx manifested by the character in the movie.

In the movie, the signs and symptoms manifested by the characters are a persistent
cough that produces thick mucus or phlegm, shortness of breath, especially when walking
and running, nausea, and loss of appetite. Poor weight gain is also shown in the movie as
seen in the characters’ bodies.
4. What are the complications associated with CF that are seen in the movie?
One complication associated with CF that was shown in the movie is lung infection. Will
has previously contracted B. Cepacia, a rare but significant threat to people living with cystic
fibrosis. Since Will contracted the bacteria, he will not be able to undergo lung transplant.
Another complication is when Stella’s feeding tube becomes infected, and her doctor would
like to do surgery to replace it. The worst complication shown in the movie is Poe’s death, he is
a fellow cystic fibrosis patient and Stella’s best friend.
5. What is? Burkholderia Cepacia and its relationship to CF

Burkholderia cenocepacia is an opportunistic pathogen particularly dangerous for cystic
fibrosis (CF) patients. It can cause a severe decline in CF lung function possibly developing
into a life-threatening systemic infection known as cepacia syndrome.
6. What are the nursing management for patient with CF?

 Monitor the child for signs of respiratory distress; teach the child to cough effectively;
examine and document the mucus produced; increase fluid intake; and encourage the
child to drink extra fluids.
 Maintain the child in a semi-Fowler’s position; use pulse oximetry; maintain oxygen
saturation higher than 90%; administer oxygen as ordered; administer mouth care every
2 to 4 hours; perform chest physiotherapy every 2 to 4 hours as ordered; plan nursing
and therapeutic activities and diversional activities; and teach them to exercise to help
loosen the thick mucus.
 Good handwashing techniques should be practiced by all; practice and teach other
good hygiene habits; monitor vital signs every 4 hours; restrict people with an infection
from contact with the child; and administer antibiotics as prescribed.
 Greatly increase the child’s caloric intake; provide the child with high-calorie, high
protein snacks, such as peanut butter and cheese; administer pancreatic enzymes with
all meals and snacks; encourage the child to eat salty snacks; report any changes in
bowel movements; and weigh and measure the child.
 Provide age-appropriate activities to help alleviate anxiety and boredom; encourage the
family caregiver to stay with the child; allow the child to have familiar toys or mementos
from home.
 Give the family and the child opportunities to voice fears and anxiety; respond with
active listening techniques; and provide emotional support throughout the entire hospital
stay.
7. What are the treatment needed by patient with CF?

There's currently no cure for cystic fibrosis, but a number of treatments are available to help
control the symptoms, prevent complications, and make the condition easier to live with.
Possible treatments include:
 antibiotics to prevent and treat chest infections
 medicines to make the mucus in the lungs thinner and easier to cough up
 medicines to widen the airways and reduce inflammation
 special techniques and devices to help clear mucus from the lungs
 medicines that help the person absorb food better
 following a special diet and taking supplements to prevent malnutrition
A lung transplant may eventually be needed if the lungs become greatly damaged.
8. Why is it entitled “Five Feet Apart”?

Technically, to keep from sharing life-threatening infections, people with CF have to stay 6
feet apart from one another, at a minimum. The 5 feet mentioned in the title seems to get this
wrong. But it’s really a reference to the plot: The film’s teenage protagonists fall in love and decide
to break the rule to get closer to one another.
Germs can spread as far as 6 feet when someone coughs or sneezes, landing on surfaces
or in another person's eyes, nose, or mouth. That's why it's important for people with CF to stay at
least 6 feet away from others with CF and anyone with a cold, flu, or infection.
For people with CF, being close to others with the disease puts them at greater risk of
getting and spreading dangerous germs and bacteria. This is called cross‐infection. Not only are
these dangerous germs difficult to treat, but they can also lead to worsening symptoms and faster
decline in lung function.

Five Feet Apart: 1. What Is CF?

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

Five Feet Apart: 1. What Is CF?

Uploaded by

Document Information

Original Title

Copyright

Available Formats

Share this document

Share or Embed Document

Sharing Options

Did you find this document useful?

Is this content inappropriate?

Copyright:

Available Formats

Five Feet Apart: 1. What Is CF?

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

FIVE FEET APART

2. What are the signs and symptoms associated with CF?

3. Identify the s/sx manifested by the character in the movie.

5. What is? Burkholderia Cepacia and its relationship to CF

6. What are the nursing management for patient with CF?

7. What are the treatment needed by patient with CF?

8. Why is it entitled “Five Feet Apart”?

You might also like