Child with Respiratory Disorder Flashcards
NINE major differences between adult and child respiratory systems
- child chest wall is round, trachea bifurcates higher
- child diaphragm is more immature and fatigues easily
- internal organs reduce expansion
- children are obligate nose breathers
- children have narrower airways, therefore higher airway resistance; respiratory edema leads to higher reduction of airway lumen
- bronchial walls are more immature
- poorer developed cilia in lungs
- insufficient surfactant (preemies or mom w GDM)
- fewer alveoli until 2 yo
signs of respiratory difficulty in children
mouth breathing, exhaustion, nasal flaring
signs of increased airway resistance in children
increased RR, retractions, flaring, accessory muscle use
signs of bronchial wall difficulties in children
dry night cough, chest tightness
upper airway infection types
rhinitis, pharyngitis, tonsillitis, laryngitis, otitis media
lower airway infection types
pneumonia, bronchiolitis, bronchitis
respiratory assessment for children
respiratory rate, depth, and rhythm; retractions; flaring; oxygenation, HR, temp; LOC; hydration, level activity comfort.
respiratory interventions for children
ease effort, promote comfort and hydration, decrease fever, sufficient nutrition; early intervention is VITAL
causes of URI
rhinovirus, RSV, influenza
S/S of URI
rhinitis, congestion, sore throat, cough, sneeze
URI tx
primarily supportive – hydration, analgesic. NO ABX if caused by virus!
Whooping Cough: cause, preventive tx
Bordetella pertussis
very contagious – get immunized!
acute otitis media; tx
inflammation of middle ear
tx: ABX; may need surgical incision or tube implanted in tympanic membranes to ease psi.
if not tx, may lead to deafness
Group A streptococcus may lead to WHAT
rheumatic fever
influenza is what
highly contagious and viral; seasonal
Croup
viral infection of larynx
croup s/s
barking cough, inspiratory stridor, hoarseness, fever, other URI s/s
croup tx
at home: hydration, humid air, 3-5 days
if severe: supplementary oxygen, IV fluids; corticosteroids to open airways
asthma
chronic inflammation/hypersensitivity of air passages to the lungs.
maintain airway patency, rest, o2 sats
VERY common in children
bronchitis
inflammation of larger lower airways, very common after viral infection
bronchitis s/s
dry, hacking cough; may be febrile
bronchitis tx
supportive; bronchodilators, steroids, pain meds; humidify air; ABX if bacterial cause suspected
bronchiolitis
acute viral infection cause (usually RSV 80% of cases)
bronchiolitis s/s
coughing, rhinorrhea, increased RR, increased WOB, hypoxia, vomiting, wheezing, crackles, fever
