Alteration in Gas Exhange/Respiratory Dx Flashcards
What is the most common cause of illness and hospitalization in children?
Respiratory Disorders
How long are newborns typically obligatory nose breathers?
4 weeks of age
If the newborns nose is obstructed are they able to open their mouths to breath?
No
The Infants Nose
- produce very little mucus which makes them more susceptible to infections
- small nasal passages more prone to obstruction
- sinuses are not developed
The Infants Throat
- tongue relative to oropharynx are larger; placement can lead to obstruction
- enlarged tonsillar and adenoid tissue which can lead to obstruction
Why is the capacity for air passage greatly diminished when edema, mucus, or bronchospasm is present?
Airway lumen is smaller
What results in an exponential increase in resistance to airflow causing increased work or breathing?
small reduction in diameter of the child airway
What increases the chance of aspiration of foreign material into the lower airway?
Congenital laryngomalacia due to funnel shape and location of the larynx
A child’s airway us highly compliant making it more susceptible for what?
dynamic collapse during airway obstruction
Where is the trachea located in children?
third thoracic vertebra
Where is trachea located in adults?
sixth thoracic vertebrae
Children exposed to environmental smoke have an increased risk of what?
Respiratory illnesses such as asthma, bronchitis, and pneumonia
Prolonged expiration is a sign of what?
bronchial or bronchiolar obstruction
Wheezing
high pitched sound on expiration
-may occur w/ obstruction in lower trachea or bronchioles
Rales
crackling sound heard when alveoli become fluid filled
-may occur w/ pneumonia
Lab/Diagnostic Tests ordered for Bronchiolitis
- pulse oximetry
- chest radiography
- blood gases
- nasal pharyngeal washings
A chest radiography may reveal what for bronchiolitis?
hyperinflation and patchy areas of atelectasis or infiltration
Blood Gases test may show what for bronchiolitis?
carbon dioxide retention and hypoxemia
Lab/Diagnostic Tests for Pneumonia
- pulse ox
- chest x-ray
- sputum culture
- white blood cell count
Lab/Diagnostic Tests for Cystic Fibrosis
- sweat chloride test
- pulse ox
- chest radiograph
- pulmonary function test
Common medical treatments for respiratory disorders are?
- oxygen
- high humidity
- suctioning
- chest physiotherapy/postural drainage
- saline gargles/lavage
- chest tubes
- bronchoscopy
Chest Physiotherapy
promotes mucus clearance through percussion and vibration
Suctioning
removes secretions via bulb syringe or suction catheter
Chest Tubes
remove air or fluid through a drain inserted into the pleural cavity
Bronchoscopy
intro of a bronchoscope into the bronchial tree for diagnostic purposes
Acute Infectious Disorders
- common cold, sinusitis
- influenza
- pharyngitis, tonsillitis, laryngitis
- croup syndromes
- RSV (respiratory syncytial virus)
- pneumonia and bronchitis
Nursing Management for the Common Cold
- symptom relief
- promote comfort
- provide family education
- prevent spread of cold