Respiratory symptoms

Question 1

Upper respiratory tract symptoms

Answer 1

Coryza
Sore throat
Sinusitis
Stridor

Question 2

Lower respiratory tract symptoms

Answer 2

Cough
Wheeze
Respiratory distress

Question 3

Why are children more likely to develop respiratory distress?

Answer 3

• poorly developed respiratory muscles

- compliant chest

Question 4

What are the signs of respiratory distress

Answer 4

Moderate

• Tachypnoea
• Tachcardia
• Nasal flaring
• Head retraction
• Accessory muscle use
• Inter/subcostal recession

Severe

• cyanosis
• Decreasing GCS
• Tired
• Sats

Question 5

Stridor differentials

Answer 5

Croup
Epiglottitis
Bacterial tracheitis (similar to epiglottitis, caused by staph aureus, rapidly progressing obstruction due to thick airway secretion)
Foreign body/anaphylaxis

Question 6

Wheeze differentials

Answer 6

Asthma/viral episodic wheeze/multiple trigger wheeze
Bronchiolitis
Foreign body inhalation
Anaphylaxis

Question 7

Cough differentials

Answer 7

Whooping cough
Pneumonia
TB
CF
Primary ciliary dyskinesia