Pediatric Respiratory Diseases Review

Standard vocabulary flashcards covering pediatric respiratory conditions, assessments, and treatments based on lecture notes.

Alveoli (Neonates)

Neonates, aged birth-$30$ days, possess significantly fewer alveoli than adults, ranging from $17$ to $71$ million.

Alveoli (Adults)

The average adult has between $200$ and $600$ million alveoli.

Obligate nasal breathers

Children between $2$ and $6$ months of age who predominantly breathe through their nose, making feeding difficult if they experience respiratory distress.

Pediatric Metabolic Rate

In children, the rate of oxygen consumption is double that of an adult.

Tachypnea

A compensatory mechanism in which the respiratory rate increases to improve oxygen intake.

Retractions

A compensatory behavior where accessory muscles in the neck, ribs, sternum, or abdomen are used to assist with breathing.

Nasal flaring

A compensatory maneuver that increases the diameter of the upper airway during respiratory distress.

Grunting

An expiratory compensatory sound produced by a child to prevent alveolar collapse.

Wheezing

An expiratory sound caused by narrowing in the lower airways.

Stridor

A sound indicating an upper airway obstruction at the larynx, glottis, or subglottic area.

Clubbing

A physical change in the nailbeds associated with chronic hypoxia.

Normal Pediatric SPO2

Oxygen saturation that is normally greater than $92\%$ and ideally expected to be between $97\text{-}100\%$.

Early Signs of Respiratory Distress

Physical manifestations including tachypnea, tachycardia, irritability, restlessness, nasal flaring, and retractions.

Late Signs of Respiratory Failure

Impending failure markers including depressed respirations, bradycardia, lethargy, drowsiness, cyanosis, and hypotension.

Ibuprofen Age Restriction

Should not be administered to children younger than $6$ months old due to risks of GI effects and renal failure.

Reyes Syndrome

A serious condition linked to the use of aspirin in children, though aspirin is still used in Kawasaki disease.

Insensible Fluid Loss

Increased loss of fluids that occurs via the respiratory system during periods of tachypnea.

Croup (Acute Laryngotracheobronchitis)

A viral infection, most commonly caused by the Parainfluenza virus, affecting children aged $6$ months to $6$ years.

Barking cough

A seal-like cough characteristic of Croup (Acute Laryngotracheobronchitis).

Steeple Sign

A characteristic X-ray finding in Croup showing subglottic tracheal narrowing in the shape of a church steeple.

Racemic epinephrine nebulizer

Treatment for Croup that causes bronchodilation in the upper airways.

Decadron (Dexamethasone)

An oral steroid used to reduce edema in the larynx for patients with Croup.

Epiglottitis

A life-threatening bacterial inflammation of the epiglottis, most frequently caused by Haemophilus influenzae type B.

Haemophilus influenzae type B (HIB) vaccine

An immunization that serves as the primary prevention for bacterial epiglottitis.

Tripod position

A clinical behavior where a child leans forward on their hands to assist breathing, often seen in epiglottitis.

Hot potato voice

A muffled vocal quality characteristic of a child suffering from epiglottitis.

Laryngeal spasm

A potential complication of epiglottitis triggered by attempting to inspect the throat, which can lead to complete airway obstruction.

Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV)

The leading cause of bronchiolitis and pneumonia in infants under $1$ year of age, occurring seasonally from November to April.

Atelectasis

The collapse of alveoli, which can impair gas exchange in conditions like RSV and pneumonia.

Palivizumab (Synagis)

A monoclonal antibody given monthly via IM injection to high-risk infants to supply passive immunity against RSV.

Abrysvo

An RSV vaccine for pregnant women administered between $32\text{-}36$ weeks gestation to provide passive immunity to the newborn.

Pneumonia

An infection of the lower respiratory tract involving the alveoli and interstitial lung tissue.

Streptococcus pneumoniae

The most common bacterial cause of pneumonia in older infants and children.

GABHS

Group A beta-hemolytic streptococci, the causative agent of streptococcal pharyngitis (Strep Throat).

Rheumatic Fever

A potential complication of partially or untreated streptococcal pharyngitis.

Acute Poststreptococcal Glomerulonephritis

A kidney-related complication that can follow an infection with Group A beta-hemolytic streptococci.

Mycobacterium tuberculosis

The organism responsible for most cases of pulmonary tuberculosis (TB).

Mantoux test

The tuberculin skin test used for the diagnosis of Tuberculosis.

Latent TB

A condition where bacteria are inactive and encapsulated; the patient is asymptomatic, non-contagious, and has a normal chest X-ray.

Active TB Treatment Duration

Medication therapy for active Tuberculosis typically lasts for at least $6$ months.

Airborne Precautions

Nursing management required for Active TB, including a negative-pressure room and N95 masks.

Asthma

A chronic inflammatory disorder characterized by episodic, reversible airflow obstruction and bronchial hyperresponsiveness.

Bronchoconstriction (Parasympathetic)

Airway narrowing mediated through parasympathetic muscarinic $M_3$ receptors.

Peak Flow Meter

A device that measures Peak Expiratory Flow Rate (PEFR) to monitor airway narrowing at home.

Green Zone (Peak Flow)

Indicates maintenance medications are effective and no symptoms are present; the child is 'all clear'.

Yellow Zone (Peak Flow)

Indicates asthma is not well controlled, signaling a need for increased rescue medications and provider notification.

Red Zone (Peak Flow)

Indicates severe airway narrowing; rescue medications should be given immediately and the provider or emergency department contacted.

Albuterol

A short-acting beta2-adrenergic agonist (SABA) used as a rescue bronchodilator; may cause increased heart rate and tremors.

Inhaled Corticosteroids (ICS)

Long-term control medications, such as Budesonide (Pulmicort), used for maintenance therapy in asthma.

Singulair (Montelukast)

A leukotriene modifier that blocks actions of leukotrienes to reduce allergy-associated inflammation.

Silent Chest

A critical assessment finding where breath sounds are absent in a fatigued child with asthma, suggesting impending respiratory failure.

Status Asthmaticus

A severe, life-threatening asthma exacerbation that does not respond to standard short-acting bronchodilators.

Cystic Fibrosis (CF)

An autosomal recessive condition caused by a mutation in the CFTR gene, resulting in thick mucus that obstructs multiple organs.

Steatorrhea

Large, loose, greasy, foul-smelling stools caused by the malabsorption of fats in Cystic Fibrosis.

Pancreatic Enzyme Administration

Should be given with all meals and snacks, ideally within $30$ minutes of eating, to aid digestion in CF patients.

Meconium ileus

One of the earliest signs of CF in newborns, characterized by a bowel obstruction due to thick meconium stool.

Sweat chloride test

The gold standard diagnostic test for CF; a chloride concentration greater than $60\,mmol/L$ is diagnostic.

Chest Physiotherapy (CPT)

Management technique involving percussion with a cupped hand or a ThAIRapyVest to loosen mucus in the lungs.

Dornase Alfa (Pulmozyme)

A mucolytic medication that decreases the viscosity of mucus and improves lung function in CF.

6-foot rule

An isolation protocol requiring CF patients to stay at least $6$ feet apart from each other to prevent cross-infection.