What it means
A disease in which scar tissue slowly builds up in the walls of the air sacs, making the lungs stiff so oxygen passes into the blood poorly. "Idiopathic" means the cause is not known. It mostly affects adults over 60 and brings a dry cough, breathlessness that worsens over time, fine "Velcro" crackles and clubbing of the fingers.
For the nurse
Check oxygen saturation at rest and with activity, teach energy conservation and safe home oxygen use, and encourage vaccines and pulmonary rehabilitation.
At a glance
| Also written | idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis |
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Related terms
oxygen
A gas in the air that every cell needs, also given as a medicine at higher amounts than room air.
pulmonary
Relating to the lungs.
pulmonary function tests
Breathing tests that measure how much air the lungs hold and how fast air moves in and out.
hypoxemia
A level of oxygen in the blood below normal.