Respiratory Disorders Flashcards
Explain why anatomic size is a significant variable in respiratory tract infection in a child.
- Chest relatively round at birth
- Thyroid, cricoid, tracheal cartilages immature
- Nasopharynx & nares smaller
- Ribs, diaphragm are more horizontal;
- abdominal breathing
- Fewer muscles functional in airway
- Small oral cavity; large tongue
- Long, floppy epiglottis
- Larynx & glottis higher in airway
- Large amounts of soft tissue along airway
- Chest wall is more pliable
- Lymph tissue grows rapidly in childhood
Describe the three types of respiratory insufficiency. (respiratory emergencies)
- Respiratory distress
- Increased work of breathing WITH adequate gas exchange
- Respiratory failure
- Inability to maintain adequate oxygenation
- Respiratory arrest
- Cessation of respiration
- What are the two lifesaving procedures a nurse should be able to implement to treat aspiration of a foreign body?
- Backslaps
- abdominal thrusts (heimlech)
(Suction, Expert consultation (Radiology studies; endoscopy)
Tracheostomy as needed)
Describe respiratory distress.
- Airway is open
- Tachypnea
- Increased respiratory effort
- Normal respiratory sounds possible
- Tachycardia
- Agitation
- Pale
What are the symptoms of a child in early respiratory distress and severe respiratory distress?
- Early
- Restless/Irritable
- Tachypnea/Tachycardia
- Infant/Child with RR >60 at risk for apnea secondary to ↑ CO2 & ↑ WOB
- Increased effort – retractions, nasal flaring, head bobbing, grunting
- Late
- Decrease in respiratory rate or irregular pattern
- Diminished breath sounds
- ↓ LOC (drowsiness)
- Skin color (cyanosis)
- Apnea/Bradycardia
What are early signs of respiratory distress?
- Restless/Irritable
- Tachypnea/Tachycardia
- Infant/Child with RR >60 at risk for apnea secondary to CO2 & WOB
- Increased effort – retractions, nasal flaring, head bobbing, grunting
So, we want to intervene before pt gets to resp failure.
If pt displaying these signs of distress, be aware. Pt may rapidly progress to resp failure
What are the cardinal signs of respiratory failure?
- Airway obstruction possible
- Slow respiratory rate
- Decreased respiratory effort
- Progresses to no respiratory effort
- Abnormal respiratory sounds
- Bradycardia
- Decreased LOC
- Cyanosis
- Can occur without distress*
- Cause = respiratory depression
What are late signs of respiratory distress/resp failure?
- Decrease in respiratory rate or irregular pattern
- Diminished breath sounds
- decr LOC (drowsiness)
- Skin color (cyanosis)
- Apnea/Bradycardia
List strategies that may be used to manage acute respiratory distress and failure in children.
- Support compensatory efforts of child
- Elevate HOB
- Allow patient to assume “position of comfort”
- Minimize sources of stress – cluster care
- Suction as needed (Yankauer/Neosucker)
- Humidified O2
- Do not give oral feeds/fluids if RR > 60
- NGT for abdominal distention
- Respiratory distress → Respiratory failure
- Intubate/Ventilate
The quieter the child, ________________________
the greater the cause for concern!!
If any of these signs occur, get medical help immediately!
Inability to swallow
Absence of voice sounds
Increasing respiratory distress
Acute onset of drooling (sign of supraglottic obstruction)
Describe the different oxygen delivery methods and what percent oxygen is delivered by each.
- “Blow-by” – unreliable
- Nasal Cannula – ¼-4 L
- (5-8L heated/humidified – Optiflow/Vapotherm)e
- Venturi Face Mask – 24%-48% variable
- Simple Face Mask – 6-10 L (40-60%)
- Non-rebreather Mask – 100%
- Bag-valve Mask (BVM)
- Bi-pap/CPAP
- Intubation/Mechanical Ventilation
What are the abnormal breath sounds?
- stridor
- wheezing
- crackles
- ronchi
When would you hear stridor?
- Foreign body
- Croup
- Swelling in the throat, abscess or tumor
- laryngospasm
- epiglottitis
When would you hear wheezing?
- asthma
- bronchitis
- pneumonia
- allergic reaction
- foreign body inhaled into lung
When would you hear crackles?
- pneumonia
When would you hear ronchi?
- pneumonia
- cystic fibrosis
- chronic bronchitis
What is the defn of respiratory failure?
Inability to maintain adequate oxygenation
What is happening with an airway obstruction?
Not enough oxygen is getting in/out.
What is respiratory distress/failure caused by inadequate effort?
can be resp depression from meds, or getting too tired, paralysis due to Cspine injury
What kind of pulmonary abnormalities can causes respiratory distress/failure?
BPD, asthma, pleural effusion, pneumonia
What can cause respiratory distress/failure of the upper airway?
- anaphylaxis
- epiglottitis
- croup
- foreign body
- abscess or tumor
What can cause respiratory distress/failure of the lower airway?
- bronchiolitis
- cystic fibrosis
- asthma
What types of lung tissue disease can cause respiratory distress/failure?
- pneumonia
- pulmonary edema
What types of CNS issues can cause respiratory depression/failure?
- pharmacological/chemical (overdose)
- neurological (head trauma)
What are 4 causes of respiratory distress/failure?
- upper airway issues
- lower airway issues
- lung tissue disease
- CNS causes
How can you help manage respiratory distress?
try to calm pt to (1) decrease oxygen demand & (2) reduce fatigue (child working harder – gets tired, stops breathing (3) increase oxygen delivery – more effective breaths