Describe the pathophysiologic process of both bronchiolitis and bronchiectasis. Compare and contrast the two processes.

Week 5 discussion patho | Nursing homework help

Bronchiolitis is a respiratory infection that involves inflammation of the bronchioles, which are small airways in the lungs. It is caused by a virus such as RSV and often results in difficulty breathing, coughing, and wheezing. The body’s response to this type of infection typically consists of increased mucus production which can lead to further blockage of these airways resulting in more severe symptoms.

In contrast, bronchiectasis is a condition characterized by damage to the larger airways due to recurrent infections or other medical conditions. This causes them to become widened and scarred which increases the risk for further inflammation or obstruction as well as difficulty clearing secretions from these areas. As with bronchiolitis, this too can result in difficulty breathing and significant coughing but may also present with other symptoms such as fatigue or chest pain.

Overall, while both bronchiolitis and bronchiectasis involve similar pathophysiologic processes they differ when it comes to severity and underlying cause. Bronchiolitis tends to be less serious than its counterpart due its association with viruses while bronchiectasis has more potential long-term consequences depending on what type of damage has been done to the lungs over time.