Respiratory Assessment of the Pediatric Flashcards
Respiratory Assessment
Normal breathing in children is evidence by quiet inspiration and passive expiration at age appropriate rates
Normal heart rate is higher in younger children and decreases with age
Overserve movement of chest or abdomen
Chest or abdomen movement without breath sounds can indicate total airway obstruction and basic life support maneuvers are indicated
Stridor
- High pitched sounds heard on inspiration (stridor) often indicated of upper airway conditions whereas expiratory noises are more often associated with lower airway obstruction
- Causes of stridor can include
- Croup
- Foreign body aspiration
- Congenital or acquired airway abnormalities
- Allergic reaction
- Edema after a procedure
treatment fo Stridor
Inhaled epinephrinevia a nebulizer and intravenous steroids are common used t otreat stridor
Common Causes of Lower Airway Obstruction
Bronchiolitis and Asthma
Wheezing
When wheezing is noted inhaled bronchodilators are indicated
If the patient is able to use a metered dose inhaler (MDI) repeated inhalation can act quickly to imprve aeration
When a patient is unable to use a MDI appropriately or sever symptons are present deliver bronchodilators with a nebulizer
Nebulizer Treatment
More than one nebulizer treatment is needed to relieve airway inflatmmation. A common approach is to deliver 3 consectutive treatments
If a patient continues to be symptomatic continuous bronchodilators therapy may be delvered with a nebulizer attached to an infusion pump set to administer a bronchodilator continuously
Frequent reassessment of any patient reciveing continuous bronchodilator therapy is essential
Inhaled Bronchodilator Side Effects
Tachypnea secondary to beta 1 effect of inhaled bronchodiltos may occur
Heliox
Heliox an inhaled mixture of helium and O2is beneficial in case of some airway conditions in children
Head Bobbing
Head bobbing is noted by the chin up and neck extended during inspiration with chin falling during expiration and seesaw respiration indicted by chest retraction and abdomen expanding during inspiration is a sign of impending respirtory failure
Child Alertness
It is important to assess child’s level of alertness which can range from fully awake, agitated, minimally responsive, to unresponse
Whena child is minimally responsive or unresponsive children we nened to question their ability to protect their airway
Adolsecent (16-22 yr)
Normal RR and HR
16-22 breath/min
60-80 b/min
School Age (6-12 yr)
Normal RR and HR
18-30 breath/min
70-90 b/min
School Age (6-12 yr)
Normal RR and HR
18-30 breath/min
70-90 b/min
Preschooler (4-5 yr)
Normal RR and HR
22-34 breath/min
70-90 b/min