The child w/ respiratory dysfxn Flashcards
Assessment
-Respiration: Tachypnea, Hyperpnea/hypopnea
-Associated Observations: Retractions, Nasal flaring, Head bobbing, Noisy breathing, Stridor, Grunting, Wheezing, Color changes of the skin, Chest pain, Clubbing, Cough
Dx tests
-Pulmonary Function Tests: Radiology & Other Diagnostic Procedures, Blood Gas Determination, Noninvasive monitoring: Pulse oximetry, Transcutaneous monitoring, End-tidal carbon dioxide monitoring (ETCO2)
Pulse ox
-Most helpful in determining extent of hypoxia
-Ensuring the sensor probe is properly placed is the
priority nursing action. (ATI)
-Good contact with skin, remove nail polish, ink on feet
-Pulse ox number should have an ocean-like wave next to it
RTIs
-Described according to area of involvement
-Spread due to contiguous nature of the mucous membrane
lining the entire tract
-Respiratory infections are cause of majority of acute illnesses in
children
-Upper respiratory tract
-Oronasopharynx, pharynx, larynx, and trachea
-Lower respiratory tract
-Bronchi, bronchioles, and alveoli
-Croup syndromes
-Infections of the epiglottis or larynx
Etiology of dysfxn
-Viruses: RSV, Parainfluenza
-Others: Group A beta-hemolytic streptococci, Staphylococci, Chlamydia trachomatis, Mycoplasma, pneumococci, Haemophilus influenzae
Age
● Infants younger than 3 months—maternal antibodies
● 3 to 6 months—infection rate increases
● Toddler and preschool-ages—high rate of viral infections
● Older than 5 years—increase in Mycoplasma pneumonia
and beta-strep infections
● Increased immunity with age
Size
● Diameter of airways is smaller: When edema, mucus, or bronchospasm is present, the capacity for
air passage is greatly diminished; Small reduction in the diameter of a child’s airway will result in an
exponential increase in resistance to airflow, causing increased
work or breathing
● Distance between structures is shorter, allowing organisms
to rapidly move down
● Short and open eustachian tubes
Resistance
● Immune system deficiencies
● Allergies, asthma
● Cardiac anomalies
● Cystic fibrosis
● Exposure to infections in daycare
● Exposure to second-hand smoke
Seasonal variations
● Most common during winter and spring
● Mycoplasmal infections more common in fall and winter
● Asthmatic bronchitis more frequent in cold weather
● RSV season considered winter and spring
Clinical s/s
○ Fever
○ Anorexia, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain
○ Cough, sore throat, nasal blockage, or discharge
○ Respiratory sounds
Nursing interventions
● Ease respiratory effort: Effecting breathing patterns, Promote airway clearance and maintenance, Adequate gas exchange
● Fever management
● Promote rest and comfort
● Infection control
● Promote hydration and nutrition
● Family support and teaching
● Prevent spread of infection
● Provide support and plan for home care
URIs
● Acute viral Nasopharyngitis—“common cold” More frequent in the winter
● Caused by numerous viruses: RSV, rhinovirus, adenovirus, influenza, and parainfluenza viruses
● Clinical manifestations: Fever—varies with age of child, Irritability, restlessness, Decreased appetite and fluid intake, Nasal inflammation, Vomiting and diarrhea
● Therapeutic Management –> OTC Cold Preparations/Prevention
URI meds
● OTC pediatric cold remedies are not recommended for treating “common cold”
● Antihistamines ineffective in most cases
● Antipyretics for comfort from fever
● Cough suppressants for dry cough: Caution alcohol content
● Decongestant to shrink swollen nasal passages: Nose drops more effective than oral administration
Acute infectious pharyngitis
● AKA “acute streptococcal pharyngitis”
● Etiology and risks in children: Group A β-hemolytic streptococci (GABHS) infection of the upper airway (strep throat)
● Clinical Manifestations: Pharyngotonsillitis, headache, fever & abdominal pain, Inflamed tonsils and pharynx that are covered by exudate, Anterior cervical lymphadenopathy
● Diagnostic Evaluation –> 80 to 90% are viral: Rapid antigen testing, Culture
● Risk of rheumatic fever, acute glomerulonephritis
● Bacterial treatment: ABX as ordered, Change toothbrush after 24 hrs on ABX
● Viral treatment: symptom management
Strep meds
● Penicillin: Oral (Needs 10-day treatment to decrease risk of rheumatic fever and glomerulonephritis post strep), Issues with medication compliance
○ IM: Penicillin G: Resolves compliance issue (one injection), Painful injection, Penicillin G procaine is less painful injection, CANNOT give penicillin G by IV route
○ Erythromycin if penicillin allergy
○ Other antibiotics
Tonsillitis
● Enlarged tonsils can block the nose and throat & disrupt the function of the Eustachian tubes: Often occurs with pharyngitis
● Acute or chronic: Acute is self-limiting
● Enlarged tonsils can block the nose & throat, disrupt fxn of the eustachian tubes
● Commonly occurs with pharyngitis
Tonsillitis tx
● Therapeutic Management: Medical, Surgical –> tonsillectomy/adenoidectomy (Controversial, May be indicated with massive hypertrophy)
● Nursing Care Management:
○ Codeine contraindicated postoperatively, Food & Fluids, Monitor for “continuous swallowing” –> bleeding postoperatively
Tonsillectomy/adenoidectomy
● Indicated for recurrent throat infections
● Post-op: Assess for bleeding, Assess airway and VS, Comfort measures, Educate about post-op hemorrhage
Nursing Concerns-Post-Operative Tonsillectomy
● Airway: Positioning
● Bleeding: Observation—frequent swallowing, Prevention of recurrent bleeding, Maintain quiet environment, Minimize agitation/crying, NO suctioning
Infectious Mononucleosis (aka mono)
● Acute, self-limiting infection; common in younger than 25-year-olds
● Etiology & Pathophysiology –> Epstein Barr Virus (EBV)
-s/s: fever, pharyngitis, looks like strep throat (when given abx for strep –> rash)
-May cause spleen rupture (d/t splenomegaly)
● Diagnostic Evaluation: CBC –> atypical leukocytes, Monospot –> nonspecific heterophile antibody test
Influenza
● Flu A, B, & C
● 1-3 day incubation period
● Prevention: vaccine
Influenza meds
● Antivirals for children: Oseltamivir (Tamiflu), Zanamivir (RELENZA)
● Must start within 48 hr of symptom onset
● Avoid aspirin—possible link with Reye syndrome (damages brain and lever)
Prevention of influenza
● Vaccine recommended for children greater than 6mo
● New vaccine annually
● Types: Inactivated influenza vaccine, Live attenuated influenza vaccine which is
administered intranasally.
● United States –> quadrivalent: Contain 2 strains of influenza A & 2 strains of influenza B
● Can be given simultaneously with other vaccines
but at a separate site
Otitis media
● Streptococcus pneumoniae, H. influenzae & Moraxella catarrhalis, The two viruses most likely to precipitate OM are RSV & influenza
● Impact of passive smoke inhalation/crowded living conditions
● Therapeutic Management : Acute AOM/Recurrent AOM/AOM with Effusion (Myringotomy)
Otitis media: infant feeding methods
- Breastfed infants have less OM than bottle-fed infants
- Immunoglobulin A
- Position in breastfeeding may decrease reflex in Eustachian tubes
Otitis media: abx therapy
- If over age 6 month –> “watchful waiting” up to 72 hours for spontaneous resolution
- Antibiotics if less than 2 years with persistent
acute symptoms of fever & severe ear pain - Antibiotics if less than 6 months
- Topical relief heat or cold or benzocaine drops (Rx)
Otitis media w/ effusion (OME)
Prevention: pneumococcal vaccine, breastfeeding, preventing exposure to tobacco smoke
Otitis externa (OE)
- “Swimmer’s ear”
- Infections of the external ear canal
- Etiology: Staphylococcus or
Corynebacterium - Acute Otitis Externa (AOE)
OM meds
● First-line antibiotics: Amoxicillin PO 80 to 90 mg/kg/day, divided twice daily ×10 days
● Second-line antibiotics: Amoxicillin-clavulanate (Augmentin), azithromycin, Cephalosporins IM (If highly resistant organism or noncompliant with oral doses, IM is painful –> Reconstitute with 1% lidocaine, w/o EPI, to decrease pain of injection)
● Analgesic–antipyretic drugs: Acetaminophen, Ibuprofen (only if > 6 m)
● No steroids, antihistamines, decongestants, antibiotic ear drops
Acute epiglottitis
● Serious obstructive, inflammatory process
● Clinical manifestations: Abrupt onset, Sore throat, pain, tripod positioning, retractions, Inspiratory stridor, mild hypoxia, distress, Fever
● Therapeutic mgmt: Potential for complete respiratory obstruction
● Nursing mgmt: position for comfort, no tongue blade, keep suction at bedside, keep emergency respiratory equipment at bedside, decrease anxiety
● Prevention: Hib vaccine