Tonsillitis: Nursing process (ADPIE)

Video summary

Tonsillitis is a common condition in which the tonsils, two small glands located in the back of the throat, become inflamed and swollen due to a viral or bacterial infection. Symptoms can include sore throat, difficulty swallowing, fever, swollen lymph nodes, and sometimes white patches on the tonsils. Treatment for tonsillitis depends on the underlying cause and severity of the symptoms, but may include rest, pain relievers, antibiotics, or, in some cases, surgery to remove the tonsils.

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Revisores de contenido

Antonella Melani, MD,Lisa Miklush PhD, RN, CNS,Jannah Amiel, MS, BSN, RN,Gabrielle Proper, RN, BScN, MN,Jodi Berndt, PhD, RN, CCRN-K, PCCN-K, CNE, CHSE

Mason Taylor is a 22-year-old male college student who presents to the college health clinic  with a two-week history of a sore throat and a   subsequent decrease in oral intake due to pain with swallowing. He reports a very painful sore throat, fatigue and feeling feverish. 

Tonsillitis is an inflammation of the palatine tonsils, which are two lymphoid organs located in the oropharynx. Tonsillitis is sometimes accompanied by adenoiditis, which refers to inflammation of adenoid tonsils in the nasopharynx, as well as pharyngitis, which is an inflammation of the throat or pharynx.

Tonsillitis is most often caused by a viral infection. Common viruses that cause tonsillitis include rhinovirus, adenovirus, and respiratory syncytial virus, or RSV. Other important viral causes of tonsillitis include coronaviruses, human immunodeficiency virus or HIV, and Epstein-Barr virus or EBV, which causes infectious mononucleosis. 

On the flip side, one of the most common causes of tonsillitis is bacterial infection from group A streptococcus. This is why bacterial tonsillitis is commonly referred to as strep throat.

Now, the main risk factor for tonsillitis is being between the age of 5 and 15 years of age. Other risk factors include being in crowded environments where pathogens can be transmitted from person to person, and not practicing good hand hygiene. In addition, tonsillitis occurs more commonly during winter and early spring. Finally, clients who don’t get properly treated for bacterial tonsillitis, like those who don’t complete an antibiotic course, are more likely to develop it again later.

Now, symptoms of tonsillitis depend on the underlying cause. Symptoms of viral tonsillitis include a low grade fever, cough, rhinorrhea or runny nose, and sneezing. On the other hand, bacterial tonsillitis tends to present with more severe symptoms, such as a high grade fever, sore throat, as well as dysphagia or difficulty swallowing, and odynophagia or painful swallowing. Some clients may also experience headache, nausea, and vomiting.

Tonsillitis: Nursing process (ADPIE): Vídeo | Osmosis