Respiratory System Flashcards
Inflammation and/or infection of the outer ear
Otitis externa
Inflammation or infection of the middle ear
Otitis media
Otitis externa risk factors
Swimming, ages 7-14, foreign object insertion into ears
S/S of otitis externa
Ear pain, swelling, redness, discharge
Otitis externa treatment
Otic drops usually containing both and antibiotic (such as ciprofloxacin) and steroid (such as dexamethasone)
Administration of otic drops to children
Lay on on unaffected side, warm drops to room temp, instill drops into ear, have child lay for 3-5 min after instillation
_____ _____ is usually preceded by an upper respiratory infection that causes congestion and inflammation in the ear
Otitis media
Otitis media risk factors
Exposure to cigarette smoke**, ages 6-24 months
S/S of otitis media
Drainage from affected ear, child frequently pulling on ear, increased irritability and crying, impaired sleeping
When visualizing the tympanic membrane of a child with otitis media, it may appear
Red and bulging
Otitis media treatment
Analgesics (acetaminophen, NSAIDs), antibiotics
Treatment for recurrent middle ear infections
Myringotomy (tubes that helps drain fluid from ears)
What are two key complications of untreated strep throat?
Rheumatic fever, acute glomerulonephritis
Treatment for chronic tonsillitis
Tonsillectomy
Tonsillectomy pre-op nursing care
Run labs to check for bleeding disorders or assess for family hx of bleeding disorders
Tonsillectomy post-op nursing care
Provide an ice collar for patient, assess patient carefully for frequent swallowing or clearing of the throat (sign of bleeding)
Tonsillectomy patient education
Do not consume red foods or liquid, avoid spicy foods, NO straws, avoid coughing or blowing nurse vigorously
Epiglottitis is life-threatening because it can lead to
Airway compromise
Population commonly affected by epiglottitis
Children between 2-5; unvaccinated (Hib) children
T or F: a throat culture should be obtained from a child with suspected epiglottitis
FALSE; do not insert ANYTHING into mouth as this could result in loss of airway
Epiglottitis treatment
Secure airway through intubation, antibiotics, corticosteroids
Epiglottitis nursing consideration
Do not lay patient supine as this can worsen symptoms
Acute laryngotracheobronchitis is also referred to as
Croup
Inflammation of the larynx, trachea, and bronchioles
Croup
Hallmark signs of croup
Barking cough, inspiratory stridor (high-pitched sound that occurs when there is narrowing of airway)
Treatment for croup
Nebulized epinephrine, corticosteroids, intubation (in severe cases)
Bronchiolitis is caused by
RSV
RSV, pertussis (whooping cough), and influenza are spread through
Droplets
S/S of pertussis
Low-grade fever, rapid coughing, followed by high-pitched inhalation with a characteristic “whoop” sound
A pause in breathing in a premature infant (born before 37 weeks gestation) caused by immature respiratory control centers in the medulla
Apnea of prematurity
With apnea of prematurity, the pause in breathing will last more than ___ seconds, or there may be a shorter period of apnea that occurs with _________ and _________
20; bradycardia, oxygen desaturation
Apnea of prematurity treatment
Theophylline, caffeine, CPAP
Apnea of prematurity nursing care
Stimulate baby during periods of apnea, perform car seat challenge prior to discharge (place baby in car seat and observe for s/s of apnea of prematurity)
Breathing disorder primarily found in premature infants that causes the abnormal development of lung tissues
Bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD)
BPD risk factors
Prematurity, LBW, mechanical ventilation/high levels of O2
S/S of BPD
Pulmonary distress — grunting, nasal flaring, subcostal retractions, tachypnea, cyanosis; difficulty feeding, apnea
BPD treatment
CPAP, O2, diuretics, bronchodilators, corticosteroids
BPD nursing care
Small frequent feedings, increase calorie and protein intake using human milk fortifiers
Breathing disorder caused by immature lungs due to lack of surfactant
Respiratory Distress Syndrome (RDS)
RDS risk factors
Prematurity, maternal infection or diabetes
RDS S/S
Respiratory distress symptoms, difficulty feeding
If mom gets an amniocentesis prior to delivery, and the LS ratio in amniotic fluid is under ___:___, then that is indicative of immature lungs
2:1
RDS treatment
Artificial surfactant, O2, CPAP, mechanical ventilation (if necessary)
Restlessness, agitation, and symptoms of dyspnea are _____ signs of respiratory distress
Early
Decreased LOC, bradypnea, bradycardia, and cyanosis are signs of
LATE respiratory distress or respiratory failure
Labs associated with respiratory distress/failure
Decreased PaO2, increased PCO2, decreased SpO2 (<95%)
Nursing interventions for respiratory distress/failure
Secure airway, provide O2, apply CPAP or BIPAP, mechanical ventilation, CPR
Sudden onset of breathing difficulty, color changes such as pallor or cyanosis, change in muscle tone, or decreased level of responsiveness
Brief resolved unexplained event (BRUE) and Apparent Life-Threatening Event (ALTE)
BRUE risk factors
Previous BRUE, prematurity, infants <2 months
BRUE patient education
Safe sleep guidelines, avoid infant exposure to smoke, CPR training
The unexplained and unexpected death of an infant under 12 months of age
Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS)
Prevention of SIDS
Sleep safety, pacifier use and breastfeeding, no smoke exposure during pregnancy and after birth, prenatal care during pregnancy, routine health check ups and immunizations for baby
