How to Identify Tracheitis

Tracheitis is a bacterial infection of the windpipe that makes breathing difficult over time. Viral upper respiratory infections are the leading cause of bacterial tracheitis.

Instructions

• 1

  Perform physical evaluation paying special attention to the chest when breathing in.

• 2

  Listen for a wheezing sound coming from the lungs when the patient breathes.

• 3

  Check the patient’s temperature for fever.

• 4

  Listen to cough.

• 5

  Check medical history to determine if patient has been treated for croup. If medications have been unsuccessful and the patient exhibits all symptoms, they may have tracheitis.

• 6

  Test the patient’s blood oxygen level, take an x-ray of the trachea, perform a nasopharyngeal culture to look for bacteria, and perform a tracheal culture to look for bacteria.

• 7

  Design treatment plan.