Pathophysiology
Clinical meaning
Rhinosinusitis is inflammation of the nasal mucosa and paranasal sinuses. Viral rhinosinusitis (rhinovirus, coronavirus, influenza, adenovirus) causes mucosal edema that obstructs sinus ostia, impairing mucociliary clearance and leading to mucus accumulation. Complete recovery occurs in 99% of viral cases within 7–10 days. In a small subset, bacterial superinfection develops when sinus ostia obstruction allows colonization by Streptococcus pneumoniae, Haemophilus influenzae, or Moraxella catarrhalis. Prolonged inflammation can progress to an anaerobic phase with organisms such as Peptostreptococcus, Prevotella, and Fusobacterium species. The nurse monitors symptoms, administers medications as ordered, educates on supportive measures, and reports signs of deterioration.