BRS Questions Flashcards
what is the most common etiology of epiglottitis?
haemophilus influenzae type b (HiB)
now rare bc of HIB immunization
-may also be caused by group A beta hemolytic streptococcus, strep pneumonia, and staphlyococcus species
how does epiglottitis present?
abrupt onset of rapidly progressive upper airway obstruction without prodrome
- high fever and toxic appearance
- muffled speech and quiet stridor
- dysphagia with drooling
- sitting forward in tripod
“thumbprint” on lateral radiograph of the neck
epiglottitis
diagnosis of epiglottitis
clinical features with visualization of a cherry red swollen epiglottis
management of epiglottitis
- medical emergency
- controlled nasotracheal intubation
- abx: 2nd or 3rd generation cephalosporin IV
- rifampin prophylaxis for unimmunized household contacts younger than 4 years old
other name for croup
laryngeotracheobronchitis
-inflammatino of the larynx, trachea and bronchi
what is the most common cause of stridor?
viral croup
epi for croup
late fall to winter, children 3months to 3 years M:F 2:1
what is spasmodic croup?
occurs in preschool age children year around
most likely secondary to a hypersensitivity reaction
-acute onset of stridor typically at night
-recurs and resolves without treatment
what are the most common causes of viral coup?
1) parainfluenza
others: RSV, rhinovirus, adenovirus, influenza A and B, mycoplasma pneumonia
how does croup present?
begins with upper respiratory infection prodrome for 2-3 days followed by stridor and cough
symptoms: inspiratory stridor, fever, barky cough, hoarse voice, lasts 3-7 days
- stridor and cough worse at night with agitation
- wheezing may occur
“steeple sign” in AP neck radiograph
croup
-subglottic narrowing
croup diagnosis
clinical
management of croup
supportive care:
- cool mist and fluids
- stridor at rest may consider systemic corticosteroids like IM dexamethosone
- in respiratory distress-racemic epinephrine aerosols (vasoconstrict subglottic vessels)
- beta2 agonists (albuterol) can be used when wheezing is apparent
- hospitalization for patients in respiratory distress
what is bacterial tracheitis
an uncommon but reemerging cause of stridor with abrupt onset of high fever, toxicity and mucus and pus in the trachea
-abx indicated
what are the causes of bacterial tracheitis
staph aureus, strep and H flu
what is the most common lower respiratory tract infection in the first 2 years of life?
bronchiolitis
when do bronchiolitis epidemics occur?
November to April
with increased risk with day care attendance, multiple siblings, exposure to tobacco smoke and lack of breastfeeding
what is the most common cause of bronchiolitis?
RSV
less common: parainfluenza, adenovirus, rhinovirus, influenza and mycoplasma pneumoniae
what is the course of bronchiolitis?
gradual onset with upper respiratory symptoms
- progression of respiratory symptoms occues leading to tachypnea, fine rales, wheezing and resp distress
- liver and spleen may appear enlarged due to lung hyperinflation
- hypoxemia
- apnea
- hyperinflation with air trapping, pathcy infiltration and atelectasis
- improvement within 2 weeks and more than 50% have recurrent wheezing
- complications: apnea, resp failure, BSI
diagnosis of bronchiolitis
clinical with possible viral serotyping
management of bronchiolitis
primarily supportive with nasal bulb suctioning, hydration and oxygen
what is the best way to prevent spread of infection?
hand hygeine
what is ribavirin?
a nucleoside analog with in vitro activity against RSV
-may be considered for very ill infants with RSV