Pediatric Respiratory Emergency Care: Lung Tissue Disease and Disordered Control of Breathing

Vocabulary flashcards covering causes, signs, and management of pediatric lung tissue disease and disordered control of breathing.

Lung tissue disease

A state involving disease of the parenchyma or tissue of the lung, where the lungs become stiff due to fluid accumulation in the alveoli, interstitium, or both.

Grunting

A compensatory mechanism that produces early glottic closure during expiration to maintain positive airway pressure and prevent collapse of the alveoli and small airways.

Hypoxemia in lung tissue disease

An earlier sign of lung tissue disease than hypercarbia, occurring because children cannot maintain oxygenation as effectively as they maintain ventilation.

Hypercarbia in lung tissue disease

A late manifestation of the lung tissue disease process that indicates compromised ventilation.

Infectious pneumonia

An infection resulting from viral, bacterial, or fungal inflammation of the alveoli.

Empyema

A collection of pus and fluid in the pleural cavity, which may be caused by Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus.

Disordered control of breathing

A condition characterized by inadequate respiratory effort, variable or irregular respiratory patterns, and often hypoventilation leading to hypoxemia and hypercarbia.

Central apnea

Apnea occurring without any respiratory effort.

Mild hyperventilation in increased ICP

A temporizing rescue therapy used briefly in response to signs of impending brain herniation in the initial $48$\,hours after injury, which works by decreasing blood flow to the brain.

Cushing's triad

A clinical presentation with increased ICP that often includes hypertension; therapeutic measures in the acute phase are aimed at reducing ICP rather than giving antihypertensives.

Naloxone

An antidote available in IM and intranasal preparations, administered in addition to standard BLS support for infants and children with known or suspected opioid overdose who have respiratory arrest but with a definite pulse.