Pediatric Emergencies Flashcards
Upper airway distress
-croup
-epiglottis
-foreign body airway.
Lower airway distress
-asthma
-broncholitis
-pneumonia
-foreign body airway Obstruction.
What is croup, how is it transmitted?
Croup is a viral infection of the upper airway that causes edema/inflammation below the larynx and glottis
Transmitted by respiratory secretions
What is the hallmark sign of croup?
Bark like hoarse cough referred to as stridor
What is epiglottitis? How does it differ from croup?
Epiglottitis is a bacterial infection where the supraglottic structures are inflamed
It differs from croup being that the onset is rapid and there is drooling
What are the three components that lead to obstruction and poor gas exchange?
-bronchospasm
-inflammation
-mucous production
Initial Management of asthma includes?
Supplemental oxygen
-bronchodilators (ventolin and atrovent)
What is Bronchiolitis and what is the most common source?
Bronchiolitis is inflammation of the bronchioles (the small airways ) in the lower respiratory tract
-most common source is respiratory syncytial virus
What is the paediatric assessment triangle ?
Appearance
Work of breathing
Circulation to the skin
Where does assessment start for an alert pediatric?
At the feet and go upwards
Where does an assessment start for an altered paediatric?
At the head like normal and going down
What is compensated shock?
Shunts blood from the periphery
Increases heart rate
Increases respirations
Increases blood pressure
What is decompensated shock?
Body’s mechanisms to improve perfusion are no longer sufficient
Hypotensive
Tachycardia and poor circulation
Altered appearance
What is a late sign of decompensated shock?
Hypotension is a late and ominous sign in an infant or young child
What is hypovolemic shock?
Most common cause of shock in infants and young children
Excessive fluid loss and poor intake
-diarrhea and vomiting
What is distributive shock?
Vasodilation and increased vascular permeability
Drop in effective blood volume and functional hypovolemia
May be due to sepsis, anaphylaxis or spinal cord injuries
What is a key finding it septic shock ?
Fever
What is cardiogenic shock?
Pump failure
Myocardial function is poor while intravascular volume is normal
Impaired circulation
What would a child with MILD hypoglycaemia present with?
Hunger
Weakness
Tachycardia
Tachypnea
Anxiety
What would I child with MILD hypoglycaemia present with?
Hunger
Weakness
Tachycardia
Tachypnea
Anxiety
What would a child with MODERATE hypoglycaemia present with?
Pallor
Tremors
Irritability
Nausea and or vomiting
Headache
Dizziness
What would a child with SEVERE hypoglycaemia present with?
Altered loc
Apnea
Seizure
What would I child with MILD hyperglycaemia present with?
Vomiting
Nausea
Anorexia
Low grade fever
Signs of vypovolemia and dehydration
Altered loc
What would a child with SEVERE hyperglycaemia present with?
Weight loss
Polyurea
Polydipsia
General malaise
Vomiting
Abdominal pain
Fruity acetone breath
Kussmaul resps
Altered loc
How would you manage a child with hyperglycaemia ?
Airway breathing circulation
high flow oxygen
If hemodynamically unstable, iv with NS bolus at 10 ml/kg prn
How long should you pulse Check for a hypothermic child?
30-45 seconds
What is the most common category of infection? What is its severity?
Viral infections are Most common, they are rarely life threatening and usually resolves on its own
What can bacterial infections progress rapidly into?
Coma and death
What can meningococcus cause?
Sepsis.
Why should you move quickly through a meningitis assessment for a Child?
-get sick very fast
-hypoglycaemia may result from hyper metabolic state
