Respiratory Flashcards by Alyssa Elder

What is Respiratory Distress ?

Any illness that affects the lungs ability to get oxygen in and carbon dioxide (CO2) out

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What are observable signs of Respiratory Distress in children ?

Use of accessory muscles
Nasal flaring
Sternal retractions
Grunting with respirations

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What are illnesses that can cause respiratory distress ?

Pneumonia
Atelectasis
Pneumothorax
Pleural effusion

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The amount of respiratory distress, depends on what ?

The degree of airway disease

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What is Laryngotracheobronchitis also known as ?

Croup

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What is laryngotracheobronchitis (aka: Croup) ?

A viral infection that can result in…

slight to severe dyspnea
braking or brassy cough
elevated temperature

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Viral organisms responsible for Croup include ?

Parainfluenza
Adenovirus
RSV

they sound like a “barking seal”

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What is the Tx for Laryngotracheobronchitis (aka: Croup) ?

Manage children at home with mild croup

At home most episodes can be treated with…..
Steam from hot shower
Cool temperature therapy (open freezer, outside, etc)

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Why is Cool temperature therapy an at home Tx option ?

B/c it helps constrict the swollen blood vessels in the trachea that are causing swelling

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If symptoms of Laryngotracheobronchitis worsen or there is no improvement with home Treatments, what can be done next ?

Nebulized epinephrine or corticosteroids

may be administered by the PHP or in the ED

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Nebulized epinephrine has what type of onset ?

Rapid onset

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What do you always want watch for when giving Nebulized epinephrine ?

Relapse & return of symptoms when the epinephrine wears off

peaks in approx. 2 hrs

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What is Epiglotitis ?

A serious obstructive inflammatory process

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What are the signs and symptoms of Epiglotitis ?

Absence of a cough
dysphagia
drooling
and rapid progression to severe respiratory distress

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With Epiglotitis, what is the primary organism cause ?

H-flu

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What is the prevention for Epiglotitis ?

Hib vaccine

Epiglotitis is caused by what ?

Can lead to what ?

Infection of the Epiglotitis

Can lead to a partial or full occlusion of the airway

Epiglotitis is considered what ?

A Medical Emergency

True or False:

With Epiglotitis, they look worse than they sound ?

True

The less noise a client with Epiglotitis makes, the… ?

The worse the airway obstruction

What should you Never do in a client with Epiglotitis ?

Never try to visualize the throat or tongue with a tongue depressor

(airway obstruction could occur at any time)

Where is the best place for a client with Epiglotitis to be ?

Best to be in the OR where anesthesia can be administered for an Endotracheal tube (ET tube) insertion & emergency tract could be preformed

What is another name for RSV ?

Respiratory Syncytial Virus

What does RSV cause in adults ?

Common cold

What is the leading cause of lower Respiratory tract illness in children less than 2 years of age ?

RSV

What is RSV caused by ?

Caused by an acute viral infection that affects the bronchioles

What Respiratory illness can be life-threatening in infants ?

RSV

What are risk factors for RSV ?

- Prematurity - Congenital disorders (like congenital heart defects) - Smoke, in any form

With RSV, what do you want to focus on with premature infants and those with congenital disorders ?

Focus is on Prevention - this includes sick contacts, and immunization with RSV vaccines

What are signs and symptoms of RSV ?

- Begins with simple URI - Nasal discharge - Mild fever - Wheezing - Nonproductive paroxysmal cough (sudden coughing spells) - Tacypnea with flaring nares - Dyspnea and retractions ** Know the s/s, because RSV will become worse at days 2 to 3 and can progress to life threatening respiratory distress**

Why do you want to know the s/s of RSV ?

Because RSV will become worse at days 2 to 3 and can progress to life threatening respiratory distress.

RSV - HINT Signs and symptoms can range from mild to severe; can progress from simple cough and runny nose to copious amounts of mucous, to severe respiratory distress!

What is the Tx for mild RSV ?

Treat symptoms (supportive care: antipyretics)

What is the Tx for severe RSV ?

- IV fluids - Albuterol sulfate (may not be very effective) - Antipyretics - Suction - Oxygen (may need intubation & mechanical ventilation)

What is Pneumonia ?

Disease marked by inflammation of the lungs

What are causes of Pneumonia ?

- Bacterial infections - Viral infections - Fungal infections - Aspiration of a foreign substance

What are signs and symptoms of Pneumonia ?

The same as generalized respiratory distress - Fine crackles or rhonci with a cough that is either productive or non-productive - Decreased or absent breath sounds over the affected lung fields - Chest pain - Back or abdominal pain - Fever, usually very high

What are the Tx's for Pneumonia ?

*Depends on the type of pneumonia* 1. ) First priority is always ABC's 2. ) Oxygen 3. ) Fluids (to keep them hydrated) 4. ) Antibiotics for bacterial pneumonia/ supportive care for Viral pneumonia 5. ) Supportive care: hydration, antipyretics, and nebulizers

______________ _______________ help prevent the most common types of bacterial pneumonia ?

Childhood vaccines * Encourage parents to have their children vaccinated! *