Ch. 35 Pediatric Emergencies Flashcards
Adolescents
Children between the age of 12 and 18 years.
Apparent life-threatening event (ALTE)
An event that causes unresponsiveness, cyanosis, and apnea in an infant, who then resumes breathing with stimulation.
Blanch
To turn white.
Bradypnea
Slow respiratory rate; ominous sign in a child that indicates impending respiratory arrest.
Bronchiolitis
Inflammation of the bronchioles that usually occurs in children younger that 2 years and is often caused by the respiratory syncytial virus.
Central pulses
Pulses that are closeest to the core (central) part of the body wherre the vital organs are located; include the carotid, femoral, and apical pulses.
Child abuse
A general term applying to all forms of abuse and neglect of children.
Croup
A viral inflammatory disease of the upper respiratory system that may causee a partial airway obstruction and is characterized by a barking cough; usually seen in children.
Epiglottitis
A bacterial infection in which the epiglottis becomes inflamed and enlarged and may cause upper airway obstruction.
Fontanelles
Areas where a neonate’s or infant’s skull has not fused together; usually disappear at approximately 18 months of age.
Generalized (tonic-clonic) seizure
A seizure that features rhythmic back-and-forth motion of an extremity and body stiffness.
Grunting
An “uh” sound heard during exhalation; reflects the child’s attempt to keep the alveoli open; a sign of increased work of breathing.
Infancy
The first year of life.
Length-based resuscitation tape
A tape used to estimate an infant’s or child’s weight on the basis of body length; appropriate drug doses and equipment sizes are listed on the tape.
Meningitis
An inflammation of the meningial coferings of the brain and spinal cord; it is usually caused by a virus or bacterium.
Nares
The external openings of the nostrils. a single nostril opening is called a naris.
Neglect
Refusal or failure on the part of the parent or caregiver to provide life necessities.
Neisseria meningitides
A form of bacterial meningitis characterized by rapid onset of symptoms, often leading to shock and death.
Pediatric assessment triangle (PAT)
A structured assessment tool used to rapidly perform a general impressio of the infant or child without touching him or her; consists of assessing appearance, work of breathing, and circulation to the skin.
Pediatrics
A specialized medical practice devoted to the care of the young.
Pertussis (whooping cough)
An airborne bacterial infection that affects mostly children younger than 6 years, in which the patient is feverish and exhibits a “whoop” sound on inspiration after a coughing attack; highly contagious through droplet infection.
Preshcool-age
Children between ages 3 and 6 years.
School-age
Children between ages 6 and 12 years.
Shaken baby syndrome
A syndrome seen in abused infants and children; the patient has been subjected to violent, whiplash-type shaking injuries inflicted by the abusing individual that may cause coma, seizures, and increased intracranial pressure due to tearing of the cerebral veins with consequent bleeding to the brain.
Sniffing position
An upright position in which the patient’s head and chin are thrust slightly forward to keep the airway open.
Sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS)
Death of an infant or young child that remains unexplained after a complete autopsy.
Tachypnea
Rapid respiration
Toddler
Children between ages of 1 and 3 years.
Tracheitis
Inflammation of the trachea.
Tripod position
An upright postion in which the patient leans forwward onto outstretched arms with the head and chin thrust slightly forward.
Work of breathing
An indicator of oxygenation and ventilation; reflects the child’s attempt to compensate for hypoxia.
