Module 3: Respiratory Health Challenges

Question 1

What does upper respiratory tract consist of

Answer 1

Oronasopharynx (mouth, nose)
Pharynx (back of throat)
Larynx
Upper part of trachea

Question 2

What does the lower respiratory tract consist of

Answer 2

Lower trachea
Bronchi
Bronchioles
Alveoli

Question 3

What is croup syndrome

Answer 3

Infections of epiglottis and larynx

Question 4

What areas does respiratory tract infection involve

Answer 4

Many areas but the effect of 1 area may predominate in any illness

Question 5

What are most infections caused by

Answer 5

Viruses

Question 6

What are infections influenced by

Answer 6

age of child, season, living conditions, and pre-existing medical conditions

Question 7

What is the infection rate in infants 3 months or younger

Answer 7

Lower infection rate due to maternal antibodies

Question 8

What is the infection rate in children 3 - 6 months

Answer 8

Infection rate increases due to maternal antibodies beginning to disappear

The child is now trying to produce their own antibodies

Question 9

What is the infection rate in toddlers

Answer 9

Infection rate remains high because the toddler is now more exposed

Question 10

What is the infection rate in children 5 years old

Answer 10

Viral respiratory infections are less frequent, but infections such as strep throat are more common

Question 11

What viral agent would produce a mild illness in older children but worse in younger children?

Answer 11

A common cold causes upper respiratory symptoms in older children but in infants it can cause severe respiratory compromise

Question 12

How is the diameter of the airways in young children?

Answer 12

much smaller based on narrowing and inflammation of the mucus membranes

This makes it more difficult for an infant to secrete

Question 13

How is the distance between structures in young children?

Answer 13

Much shorter which allows microorganisms to rapidly move down the respiratory tract

Question 14

What is different in kids regarding their breathing?

Answer 14

tend to be nose breathers, if they’re congested it can cause respiratory compromise

Question 15

What is different in kids regarding their tongue?

Answer 15

Much larger

Question 16

What is different in kids regarding their larynx?

Answer 16

It is higher, it is at C3-C4 in children but C6 in older

Question 17

What does respiratory assessment include?

Answer 17

Inspect colour of skin
Assess respiratory effort and sounds
Assess vital signs

Question 18

Nursing care management for respiratory infections?

Answer 18

Promote rest/comfort
Prevent spread of infection
Reduce temperature
Promote hydration and nutrition
Provide family support and home care

Question 19

What is acute epiglottis

Answer 19

Serious obstructive inflammatory process occurring in children 2-8 years old

Considered a medical emergency

Question 20

What is the onset of acute epiglottis?

Answer 20

usually abrupt and rapidly progresses to severe respiratory stress

Question 21

What are signs and symptoms of acute epiglottis?

Answer 21

Sore throat, pain, tripod positioning, retractions, fever

Frog like croaking sound

Absence of spontaneous cough, drooling and agitation

Question 22

What should you not do as a nurse when pt has acute epiglottis

Answer 22

Do not attempt to visualize the epiglottis directly with a tongue depressor or taking a throat culture

Call for assistance

Question 23

What is bronchitis

Answer 23

AKA Tracheobronchitis
Inflammation of trachea and bronchi

Question 24

What is bronchitis frequently associated with?

Answer 24

with upper respiratory tract infection and works its way down to the lower respiratory tract

Question 25

Signs and symptoms of bronchitis?

Answer 25

Dry, hacking, non productive cough Worsening at night Becomes productive in 2-3 days

Question 26

What does RSV effect?

Answer 26

epithelial cells for the respiratory tract

Question 27

What are signs and symptoms of RSV?

Answer 27

Low grade fever, poor feeding, lethargy, wheezing, retractions

Question 28

What are therapeutic management for RSV?

Answer 28

Treat symptoms Airway maintenance Medications Adequate fluid intake

Question 29

Why is pneumonia seen infrequently

Answer 29

Because of early antibiotics and supportive therapy

Question 30

What are we worried about regarding pneumonia

Answer 30

if they develop a pneumothorax or a tension pneumothorax

Question 31

When is pleural effusion common with?

Answer 31

when children have pneumococcal pneumonia

Question 32

What interventions are done with pneumonia

Answer 32

Chest drainage, aspiration of purulent fluid and antibiotics

Question 33

What is the onset of pneumonia?

Answer 33

quite abrupt generally follows a viral infection

Question 34

What does a child with bacterial pneumonia look like and where is the pain referred to?

Answer 34

Child will appear ill (high fever, malaise, rapid/shallow respirations, cough, chest pain Pain will also be referred to the abdomen

Question 35

Where do older children get treated for pneumonia?

Answer 35

At home, if condition worsens then they will need antibiotic treatment through an IV

Question 36

Why should a chest x-ray be done for pneumonia

Answer 36

To ensure the lung hasn't collapsed

Question 37

Why do we give IV fluid for pneumonia?

Answer 37

To ensure adequate hydration

Question 38

Nursing management for pneumonia?

Answer 38

Educate family and pt on antibiotic and antipyretic administration Assess respiratory status Ensure child is taking fluids

Question 39

What should we as nurses reassure the parents when their child has pneumonia?

Answer 39

Reassure them that child's appetite will come back once the acute phase of the illness has passed

Question 40

What are the 2 types of respiratory insufficiency?

Answer 40

1. Increased work of breathing but gas exchange function is almost normal 2. When normal blood gas tensions cannot be maintained, hypoxemia and acidosis develop secondary to CO2 retention

Question 41

What is respiratory failure?

Answer 41

Inability to maintain adequate oxygenation of the blood with or without CO2 retention Can lead to hypoxia and hypercapnia Temporary or complete stop of respiration

Question 42

What kind of failure will children go into first?

Answer 42

respiratory failure

Question 43

What is apnea?

Answer 43

Temporary or complete stop of breathing for more than 20 seconds or for a shorter period of time associated with hypoxia and bradypnea

Question 44

What systemic problems can respiratory distress be a sign of?

Answer 44

Sepsis, heart failure, compensation for metabolic acidosis

Question 45

Signs and symptoms of respiratory distress?

Answer 45

Tachypnea (most common) Nasal flaring Retractions Grunting See-saw breathing Head bobbing (late sign)

Question 46

Interventions for respiratory distress

Answer 46

Supplemental oxygen Repositioning Treatment for underlying problem