PALS: RESPIRATORY DISTRESS AND FAILURE

Question 1

General Airway Interventions

Answer 1

Keep airway open with head tilt-chin lift
Clear the airway as needed
Insert OPA or NPA as needed to keep airway open

Question 2

General Breathing Interventions

Answer 2

Monitor airway saturation (pulse oximetry)
Provide oxygen as needed (non-rebreather mask preferred)
Give inhaled meds as needed
Assist ventilation as needed (bag mask device + oxygen)
Prepare for endotracheal intubation if necessary

Question 3

General Circulation Interventions

Answer 3

Monitor heart rate, rhythm and BP
Place an IV

Question 4

General Categories of Respiratory Distress and Failure

Answer 4

upper airway obstruction
lower airway obstruction
lung tissue disease
disordered control of breathing

Question 5

3 Most Common Causes of Upper Airway Obstruction

Answer 5

Infection (croup, epiglottitis, RSV)
Airway Swelling (anaphylaxis)
Foreign Airway Obstruction

Question 6

Clinical Features of Upper Airway Obstruction

Answer 6

tachypnea
a change in the sound of the child’s voice or cry
barking cough
hoarseness
inspiratory stridor
poor chest rise on inspiration
nasal flaring

Question 7

2 Most Common Causes of Lower Airway Obstruction

Answer 7

Asthma
Bronchiolitis

Question 8

Most Common Causes of Lung Parenchymal Disease

Answer 8

infectious pneumonia
chemical pneumonitis
aspiration pneumonitis
cardiogenic pulmonary edema
non-cardiogenic pulmonary edema

Question 9

Clinical Features of Lung Parenchymal Disease

Answer 9

tachypnea, tachycardia, and hypoxemia

crackles on auscultation
decreased breath sounds
grunting

Question 10

Most common causes of Disorders of Controlled Breathing

Answer 10

Increased Intracranial Pressure
CNS Depression
Neuromuscular Disease

Question 11

Clinical Features of Disordered Control of Breathing

Answer 11

Irregular respiratory rate
Shallow breathing
Central apnea