Pedatric Respiratory Distress - EXAM 3

Question 1

What should be done if a child appears to be in respiratory distress?

Answer 1

1. Ask pertinent questions about the child’s behavior
2. Assess LOC/interaction with environment
3. Check: BP, HR, RR, SpO2
4. Place child on cardiopulmonary monitor
5. Respiratory Assessment:
   
   1. Inspects for nasal flaring
   2. Assesses for expiratory grunting, coughing, drooling
   3. Inspects, palpates, and auscultates chest
   4. Palpates CRT, skin temp, diaphoresis, color, and peripheral pulses

Question 2

Cardinal Signs of a child in respiratory failure

Answer 2

1. Restlessness
2. Tachypnea
3. Tachycardia
4. Diaphoresis
5. Flaring nares
6. Chest wall retractions
7. Expiratory grunt
8. Wheezing or prolonged expiration

Question 3

Early but less obvious signs of a child in respiratory failure

Answer 3

1. Mood changes (euphoria or depression)
2. Headache
3. Altered depth and pattern of respirations
4. Hypertension
5. Exertional dyspnea
6. Anorexia
7. Increased cardiac output
8. Increased renal output
9. Central nervous system symptoms
   
   1. decreased efficiency
   2. impaired judgement
   3. anxiety
   4. confusion
   5. restlessness
   6. irritability
   7. depressed level of consciousness

Question 4

Severe signs of a child in respiratory failure

Answer 4

1. Hypotension or hypertension
2. Dimness of vision
3. Somnolence
4. Stupor
5. Coma
6. Dysnpea
7. Depressed respirations
8. Bradycardia
9. Cyanosis, peripheral or central

Question 5

Procedures for Maintaining Respiratory Function

Answer 5

1. Inhalation
2. Bronchial (Postural) Drainage
3. Chest Physical Therapy
4. Artificial Ventilation

Question 6

Inhalation

Answer 6

1. Oxygen therapy VIA plastic hood, NC, mask, O2 tent
   
   1. careful consideration of oxygen toxicity: retina in the preterm infant or lung damage, carbon dixoide narcosis
2. Monitor Oxygen therapy VIA pulse oximetry
3. Aerosol Therapy VIA nebs, MDIs

Question 7

Bronchial Postural Drainage

Answer 7

Positioning to take advantage of gravity to facilitate removal of secretions

Question 8

Chest Physical Therapy

Answer 8

Manual percussion, vibration, coughing and breathing exercises

Question 9

Artificial Ventilation

Answer 9

1. Intubation VIA endotracheal, orotracheal, tracheostomy
2. Suctioning
3. Routine Care
4. Practice emergency care should tube become occluded or accidental decannulation