Respiratory Conditions

Question 1

______ illnesses account for most acute illnesses in children

Answer 1

Respiratory

Question 2

Describe the characteristics of the head that are unique to an infant / child

Answer 2

Larger in comparison to body

Question 3

Describe the characteristics of the oral cavity that are unique to an infant / child (4)

Answer 3

• Smaller oral cavity
• Larger tonsils
• Larger tongue
• Tongue displaced posteriorly

Question 4

Describe the characteristics of the epiglottis that are unique to an infant / child (2)

Answer 4

• U-shaped
• Floppy

Question 5

Describe the characteristics of the trachea that are unique to an infant / child (2)

Answer 5

• Smaller airway lumen
• Fewer alveoli

Question 6

What are the early manifestations of respiratory compromise? (6)

Answer 6

• Increased RR / HR
• Irritable / fussy
• Pallor
• Labored breathing
• Retractions / accessory muscle use
• Adventitious / diminished breath sounds

Question 7

What are the late manifestations of respiratory compromise? (9)

Answer 7

• Absent breath sounds
• Bradycardia (dangerous)
• Central cyanosis
• Lethargy
• Grunting
• Nasal flaring
• Head bobbing in infants
• Suprasternal retractions
• See-saw breathing

Question 8

What results from untreated severe respiratory compromise in children?

Answer 8

Respiratory failure –> leads to cardiac failure

Question 9

80% of children have at least one episode of ______ by 3 years

Answer 9

Otitis media

Question 10

Otitis media is an infection of the ______

Answer 10

Middle ear

Question 11

Describe the characteristics of otitis media (3)

Answer 11

• Inflammation
• Purulent drainage
• Bulging, yellow / red membrane

Question 12

Otitis media is often preceded by ______

Answer 12

A respiratory infection

Question 13

Describe the anatomical structures responsible for otitis media in children (2)

Answer 13

• Eustachian tube is shorter / horizontal
• Obstruction of tube causes fluid accumulation

Question 14

What factors increase the risk of otitis media? (2)

Answer 14

• Winter months
• Exposure to smoke

Question 15

What factors decrease the risk of otitis media? (2)

Answer 15

• Breastfeeding
• Pneumococcal vaccine

Question 16

What are the manifestations of otitis media? (6)

Answer 16

• Pain
• Fever
• Loss of appetite
• Enlarged lymph nodes
• Blood / purulent drainage
• Rhinorrhea, vomiting, diarrhea

Question 17

What can occur due to recurrent otitis media in young children?

Answer 17

Speech development delays

Question 18

How is otitis media diagnosed?

Answer 18

Otoscopic exam

Question 19

Describe the nursing management of otitis media (3)

Answer 19

• Antibiotic therapy
• Comfort measures
• Education - antibiotic therapy

Question 20

What types of antibiotics are used for the treatment of otitis media? (2)

Answer 20

• Penicillins
• Cephalosporins

Question 21

What types of comfort measures are used for the treatment of otitis media? (3)

Answer 21

• Acetaminophen
• Ibuprofen
• Warm / cool compress

Question 22

Describe the treatment of recurrent acute otitis media

Answer 22

Surgical intervention - myringotomy

Question 23

Describe a myringotomy

Answer 23

Incision into tympanic membrane to relieve pressure / facilitate drainage of fluid

Question 24

A myringotomy can occur with or without ______

Answer 24

Tube placement

Question 25

Describe the education associated with myringotomy (2)

Answer 25

• Avoid water in ears - use earplugs when swimming
• No intervention needed if tube falls out - monitor for infection