Chapter 21: Respiratory Dysfunction Flashcards
What often occurs in infants age 3 - 6 months?
increase in infection rates – maternal antibodies no longer provide enough protection after 3 months
In toddlers and preschoolers, what type of organism causes a high rate of infection?
viruses
What are 2 common organisms that cause infections in children older than 5 y.o.?
- group A beta-hemolytic streptococcus
- Mycoplasma pneumoniae
Why does a child’s smaller size make a difference in respiratory infections?
- smaller diameter of airways
- distance between structures is shorter – organisms rapidly move down to other organs
- short and open eustachian tubes – more likely to contract otitis media from respiratory infection
What are croup syndromes?
infections of the epiglottis or larynx
What is acute nasopharyngitis? What organisms cause it?
5 organisms
– common cold
– caused by:
* RSV
* rhinovirus
* adenovirus
* influenza
* parainfluenza
How is acute nasopharyngitis treated?
6 treatments
- because caused by viruses, no abx
- antipyretics for fever >100.4F
- fluids
- rest
- humidifiers
- cough suppressants only if cough if non-productive/can’t stop – do NOT use in babies
What is pharyngitis? What organism causes it?
- sore throat
- caused by GABHS
How does pharyngitis present in children?
5 presentations
- h/a
- fever
- abdominal pain
- tonsil/pharynx inflammation
- strawberry tongue and sandpaper rash (scarlet fever)
– there is NO cough with pharyngitis
How is pharyngitis diagnosed?
2 diagnostics
- rapid strep tests
- throat culture
How is pharyngitis treated?
3 treatments
- antibiotics – penicillin, amoxicillin
- discard toothbrush
- fluids
What is tonsillitis? What types of organisms cause it?
- inflammation of tonsils
- caused by viral or bacterial organisms – can occur with pharyngitis
How does tonsillitis usually present in children?
3 presentations
- edema of tonsils (kissing tonsils)
- difficulty swallowing
- difficulty breathing
How is tonsillitis treated?
8 treatments
- tonsillectomy if infections are recurrent or affects breathing
- adenoidectomy if >4x purulent rhinorrhea in 12 months
- soft/liquid diet
- avoid irritating foods
- saltwater gargles
- lozenges
- analgesics
- antipyretics
How does influenza usually present in children?
5 presentations
- dry cough
- dry throat
- fever
- chills
- fatigue
How is influenza treated?
2 treatments
- medications – Tamiflu, Relenza
- prevention = flu shots – babies and infants get 2 shots, then annually afterward
What is otitis media? How is it diagnosed?
- otitis media: eustachian tube malfunction d/t fluid in or inflammation of middle ear
- higher occurrence in winter months
- often preceded by viral infections
- diagnosis = otoscope eval and hx
How is otitis media treated?
5 treatments
- wait 72 hours before giving abx if >2 y.o. (can usually resolve on own) – amoxicillin, Augmentin
- myringotomy
- tympanostomy tube
- consider smoking or secondhand smoke – increases OM infections
- prevention = pneumococcal vaccine
What is infectious mononucleosis?
- AKA kissing disease
- infection of Epstein-Barr virus
- common among adolescents
How does mononucleosis usually present in children?
4 presentations
- fever
- exudative pharyngitis
- hepatosplenomegaly
- fatigue
How is mononucleosis diagnosed?
1 diagnostic
monospot test (fingerstick)
How is mononucleosis treated?
2 treatments
- self-limiting –> no specific treatment
- avoid contact sports d/t hepatosplenomegaly
How are croup syndromes characterized?
4 characteristics
- hoarseness
- barking cough
- inspiratory stridor
- varying degrees of respiratory distress d/t swelling or obstruction of airways
– symptoms are usually worse at night