General Respiratory Information

Question 1

what age does the respiratory system finish developing?

Answer 1

age 12

Question 2

describe the pediatric respiratory system structure

Answer 2

-Smaller size: Upper airway more prone to obstruction
-Less alveolar surface area: Reduced area for gas exchange
-Flexible chest, more diaphragmatic breathing: reduces air intake
-Cartilaginous support not fully developed

Question 3

describe how the respiratory system develops in peds

Answer 3

-Respiratory structures grow in size and distance from each other
-Cartilage, muscular, lymph and other tissues firm up
-More efficient response to hypoxia
-Better immunologic response

Question 4

what is the fetal respiratory development

Answer 4

-27 weeks
-Airway and alveoli under developed, lacking surfactant
-Weak intercostal muscles
-Immature alveolar and capillary blood supply

Question 5

what is the youngest a fetus could live in gestational weeks with their respiratory system

Answer 5

24 weeks, but ideally we would want them to get to 27 weeks

Question 6

what is bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD)

Answer 6

-Occurs in infants who receive high levels of oxygen therapy
-Chronic lung condition r/t prematurity or ventilation
-Cyanosis, cough, tachypnea, shortness of breath
-Very prone to bronchiolitis, pneumonia, RSV

Question 7

what is the respiratory norm for a 0-1 year old

Answer 7

24-38 breaths/min

Question 8

what is the respiratory rate norm for age 1-3

Answer 8

22-30 breaths/min

Question 9

what are the respiratory rate norm for age 4-6

Answer 9

20-24 breaths/min

Question 10

what is the respiratory rate norm for 7-9 years

Answer 10

18-24 breaths/min

Question 11

what are the respiratory rate norms for age 10-14

Answer 11

16-22 breaths/min

Question 12

what is the respiratory rate norms for 14-18 years

Answer 12

14-20 breaths/min

Question 13

explain the respiratory assessment strategy “across the room”

Answer 13

-work of breathing (WOB); nasal flaring
-General appearance: color, mucous, cough, sweating, unwell
-Behavior: irritability, confusion & anxiety, headache, struggle to talk, eat
-Sounds (stridor) - grunting, squeaking

Question 14

explain the respiratory assessment strategy “minimal touch physical assessment”

Answer 14

-Respiratory rate
-Retractions

Question 15

explain the respiratory assessment strategy “auscultation and physical assessment”

Answer 15

-Respiratory rate, heart rate, BP, temp
-Breath sounds – wheezing, “junky” – rales and rhonchi
-Expiratory, inspiratory, air movement
-SPO2

Question 16

what symptoms will you see with mild respiratory distress

Answer 16

Tachypnea, tachycardia, diaphoresis

Question 17

what will you see with moderate respiratory distress

Answer 17

-Flaring, retractions, grunting, wheezing
-Anxiety, irritability, confusion, mood changes
-Headaches, hypertension

Question 18

what do you see with severe respiratory distress

Answer 18

-Dyspnea, bradycardia, stupor, coma
-Cyanosis = late sign

Question 19

what is seen with respiratory failure

Answer 19

Hypoxemia, hypoxia, hypercapnia, tachypnea then bradycardia

Question 20

A nurse is assessing a child. Which of the following is an early indication of hypoxemia?

a. Nonproductive cough
b. Hypoventilation
c. Nasal flaring
d. Nasal stuffiness

Answer 20

c. Nasal flaring

Question 21

A nurse is caring for a child who is receiving oxygen therapy and is on a continuous oxygen saturation monitor that is reading 89%. Which of the following is the priority action for the nurse to take?

a. Increase oxygen flow rate
b. Encourage the child to take deep breaths
c. Ensure proper placement of the sensor probe
d. Place the child in the Fowler’s position

Answer 21

c. Ensure proper placement of the sensor probe

Question 22

what is the different between respiratory arrest and apnea

Answer 22

-respiratory arrest: respirations cease
-apnea: respirations cease for less than 20 seconds