Pediatric Diseases

Question 1

What is respiratory syncytial virus(RSV)? When does it usually occur and in which age group does it generally affect?

Answer 1

It is a contagious virus that affects the respiratory tract. It occurs mostly during the winter season and affects children under 6 months and up to 3 years of age.

Question 2

List some signs and symptoms of RSV.

Answer 2

Usually has a low grade fever, cough, nasal discharge, tachypnea, retractions, and wheezing, Rhonchi and/or rales upon auscultation.

Question 3

T or F?

A CXR presenting RSV will show diffused hyperinflation.

Answer 3

True

Question 4

What are some ways that RSV can be treated?

Answer 4

Since the infection is self limiting it generally requires no specific therapy.

In severe cases hospitalization may be required with specific treatment.

Fluid replacement may be needed due to dehydration.

Question 5

What is cystic fibrosis?

Answer 5

An inherited genetic recessive disorder involving the exocrine glands.

Question 6

What is the most reliable diagnostic test to determine if someone has CF? What value confirms the diagnosis?

Answer 6

Sweat chloride test with a lvl of NaCl greater than 60 mEq/L is a confirmation of CF

Question 7

____ consecutive chloride sweat test must be done if the first results yield a positive result.

Answer 7

Two

Question 8

List a few clinical presentations of CF.

Answer 8

Failure to thrive, dyspnea on exertion, flattened diaphragms, clubbing of the digits, and muscle weakness.

Question 9

What is a very distinctive thing in regards to a patient with CF’s stool?

Answer 9

It has an extremely foul odor.

Question 10

List some treatments for CF.

Answer 10

Good bronchial hygiene, bronchodilators and mucolytic therapy, CPT/PD, oxygen, and antibiotics.

Question 11

Foreign body aspiration usually occurs in children between __ months and __ years old.

Answer 11

6 months, 3 years

Question 12

T or F?
Majority of aspirated foreign body objects are radioloscent and can’t be seen on x-rays.

Answer 12

True

Question 13

What is the most common cause of upper airway obstruction in children?

Answer 13

Croup

Question 14

What is the etiology of croup?

Answer 14

Parainfluenza virus

Question 15

Which of the following are clinical presentations of croup?
Hoarseness
Drooling
Violent coughing
“Barky” cough
Inspiratory stridor
Nasal discharge

Answer 15

Hoarseness, barky cough and inspiratory stridor.

Other clinical presentations include: mild infection, accessory muscle use, tachypnea, tachycardia, and mildly febrile

Question 16

With croup, cxr may show a ______ sign.

Answer 16

Steeple

Question 17

How is croup usually treated?

Answer 17

With cool mist. If stridor is present then racemic epinephrine may be administered. Corticosteroids may also be used.

Question 18

What is epiglottitis? What age group is it more prevalent in?

Answer 18

Epiglottitis is an infection of all the tissues above the glottis and this involves not only the epiglottis but also the artepiglottis folks and the arytenoid cartilages.

3-11 years

Question 19

T or F?
Epiglottitis is not generally considered a medical emergency and may resolve on its own with rest.

Answer 19

False!!
This is an immediate emergency and requires immediate attention!

Question 20

What is the etiology of epiglottitis?

Answer 20

Hemophilia influenza

Question 21

List a few clinical presentations of epiglottitis.

Answer 21

Sore throat, DROOLING(difference between croup and epiglottitis), inspiratory stridor, hoarseness, tachypnea, fever, and difficulty swallowing.

Question 22

What is done to confirm a diagnosis of epiglottitis?

Answer 22

A confirmed diagnosis is made by a lateral neck x-ray, which shows a swollen epiglottis(thumb sign) or by a direct visualization by use of a laryngoscope ONLY in surgery.

Question 23

Once a diagnosis of epiglottitis is made, the next primary concern is to ________ the _______.

Answer 23

Maintain the airway.

Question 24

Why shouldn’t you touch an inflamed epiglottis?

Answer 24

It may spasm and completely obstruct the airway.

Question 25

T or F?

Epiglottitis can be treated with antibiotics.

Answer 25

True