L3 - Respiratory Symptoms & Signs In Children ; The Important Diseases Flashcards
Difference between signs and symptoms ?
We can see signs e.g. swelling
People complain of symptoms e.g. back pain
Define cough
Vital defensive reflex that uses high pressure high volume air flow to clear the respiratory tract of obstruction and noxious substances.
Non- productive cough
Does not bring up mucus or other substances
Describe why you might cough in response to eating a spicy curry?
Capsaicin is a spicy compound.
Type 1 vanilloid receptor / transient potential cation channel subfamily V member 1 (TrpV1) receptor.
- chemo receptor
- sensitive to acid , heat and capsaicin
Examples of where you might find mechanical receptors?
External auditory canal Ear drum Paranasal sinus Pharynx Diaphragm Pleura Pericardium Stomach
Afferent pathway of cough
Sensory fibres of:
- pulmonary
- auricular (Arnold’s nerve)
- pharyngeal
- superior laryngeal
- gastric
- cardiac
- oesophageal branch’s of vagus nerve
Describe efferent pathway of cough?
Vagus , phrenic and spinal motor nerves to diaphragm and abdominal wall muscles
Which nerves give motor control to intercostal muscles?
Phrenic and spinal nerves
Which nerve innervates larynx ?
Laryngeal branch of vagus to larynx
Define Wheeze
Continuous high pitched whistling sound produced in respiratory airway during breathing.
Asthma ?
Inhaled object ?
Describe Rales aka fine crackles ?
- Sounds like rubbing your hair together.
- Indicates fluid in alveoli.
- Bilateral or unilateral ?
Describe Ruttles aka rattily chest?
Coarse
Lower pitch than wheeze
Where might rattles be felt?
Transmitted vibration on posterior chest wall.
Ruttles may be indicative of?
Viral respiratory infection
Describe Rhonchi? (3)
aka large airway sounds
- Coarse
- non-continuous
- popping noise
Large air way sounds may be indicative of what?
Rhonchi
Chunky mucous and pus in large conducting airways.
Often clears with an effective cough.
Describe sound of chronic stridor?
Very coarse, loud breathing
State three causes of chronic stridor?
- Inspiratory
- obstruction in glottis above thoracic inlet - Biphasic
- inflammation of vocal cords - Expiratory
- tracheal obstruction
Laryngomalacia
- Congenital softening of tissues
- of the larynx above vocal cords.
- Tissues to fall over the airway opening
- and partially block it.
Croup
Acute onset stridor.
Exp. loud coarse intermittent barking cough like sound.
Croup caused by…
Viral infection with inflammation of trachea - parainfluenza virus.
Tracheomalacia
- Flaccidity of supporting tracheal cartilage.
- Widening of posterior membranous wall.
- Cause tracheal collapse, especially in times of increased airflow.
What might be observed in a child with epiglottitis?
- Inspiratory harsh sound on every breath.
- Child sitting forward.
- Neck extended.
Epiglottitis typically caused by…
non Haemophilus influenzae type b vaccinated child.
