Disorders of the Respiratory Tract

Flashcards for reviewing key concepts and mnemonics related to disorders of the respiratory tract.

What is choanal atresia?

A congenital blockage of the posterior nasal openings caused by a membrane or bony tissue.

What assessment mnemonic is used for choanal atresia?

CANT BREATHE.

What does the 'C' in 'CANT BREATHE' denote?

Cyanosis during feeding.

What is the important test for choanal atresia?

Passing a #8 or #10 French catheter through the nose into the stomach.

What is the treatment mnemonic for choanal atresia?

OPEN AIRWAY.

What does 'O' in 'OPEN AIRWAY' represent?

Operate (surgery).

What is pharyngitis?

Inflammation and infection of the throat (pharynx).

What mnemonic is used to remember viral pharyngitis symptoms?

SORE FLU.

What symptom does 'S' in 'SORE FLU' represent?

Sore throat.

What is the treatment mnemonic for pharyngitis?

CARE.

What does 'C' in 'CARE' stand for?

Comfort medication (acetaminophen, ibuprofen).

What is streptococcal pharyngitis also known as?

Strep throat.

What assessment mnemonic is associated with strep throat?

RED STREP.

What does 'R' in 'RED STREP' stand for?

Red throat.

What test is important for diagnosing strep throat?

Rapid antigen test or throat culture.

What is the treatment mnemonic for streptococcal pharyngitis?

ANTIBIOTIC.

What does 'A' in 'ANTIBIOTIC' denote?

Antibiotics (penicillin or cephalosporin).

What is a retropharyngeal abscess?

A collection of pus behind the pharynx caused by infection of lymph nodes.

What assessment mnemonic is used for retropharyngeal abscess?

FEVER DROP.

What does 'F' in 'FEVER DROP' signify?

Fever (high).

What is the treatment mnemonic for retropharyngeal abscess?

IV DRAIN.

What surgical procedure is called tonsillectomy?

Removal of palatine tonsils.

What does adenoidectomy refer to?

Removal of pharyngeal tonsils located behind the nose.

What is laryngomalacia?

A condition where the laryngeal cartilage is soft and collapses during inspiration.

What assessment mnemonic is used for laryngomalacia?

STRIDOR.

What does 'S' in 'STRIDOR' represent?

Stridor.

What is croup also known as?

Laryngotracheobronchitis.

What age group is most affected by croup?

Children 6 months to 3 years.

What mnemonic is used to evaluate croup?

BARK.

What does 'B' in 'BARK' represent?

Barking cough.

What is epiglottitis?

Severe inflammation of the epiglottis.

What assessment mnemonic is associated with epiglottitis?

DROOL.

What does 'D' in 'DROOL' indicate?

Drooling.

What is aspiration in the context of airway disorders?

When a foreign object is inhaled into the airway.

What treatment mnemonic is used for aspiration?

REMOVE.

What does 'R' in 'REMOVE' represent?

Remove object.

What is bronchial obstruction?

A small foreign body may lodge in the right bronchus and block airflow.

What assessment mnemonic is used for bronchial obstruction?

COUGH WHEEZE.

What does 'C' in 'COUGH WHEEZE' stand for?

Cough violently.

What is bronchitis?

Inflammation of the major bronchi and trachea.

What assessment mnemonic is used for bronchitis?

COUGH FEVER.

What does 'C' in 'COUGH FEVER' indicate?

Cough (dry hacking).

What is bronchiolitis?

Inflammation of the small bronchioles caused mainly by viruses.

What mnemonic is used to assess bronchiolitis?

RSV WHEEZE.

What is the most common cause of bronchiolitis?

Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV).

What is asthma?

A chronic inflammatory disease of the airways causing repeated breathing problems.

What mnemonic is used for asthma risk factors?

GENES.

What does 'G' in 'GENES' denote?

Genetics.

What are the three main problems in asthma?

Swelling, obstruction, bronchial hyperresponsiveness.

What assessment mnemonic is used for asthma?

WHEEZE.

What diagnostic test is used for asthma assessment?

Pulmonary Function Test (Spirometry).

What are the peak expiratory flow meter zones?

Green, Yellow, and Red.

What does the Green zone indicate?

Good control.

What is status asthmaticus?

A severe asthma attack that does not respond to treatment.

What assessment mnemonic is used for status asthmaticus?

SEVERE.

What does 'S' in 'SEVERE' indicate?

Severe dyspnea.

What is pneumonia?

Infection and inflammation of the alveoli in the lungs.

What is the mnemonic for assessing pneumonia symptoms?

FEVER LUNG.

What is the treatment mnemonic for pneumonia?

AOOF.

What does 'A' in 'AOOF' stand for?

Antibiotics.

What is chlamydial pneumonia?

Pneumonia caused by Chlamydia trachomatis in newborns.

What symptoms mnemonic is used for chlamydial pneumonia?

NEONATE.

What does 'N' in 'NEONATE' signify?

Nasal congestion.

What is viral pneumonia?

Pneumonia caused by viruses.

What mnemonic is used for viral pneumonia symptoms?

VIRAL.

What does 'V' in 'VIRAL' represent?

Viral cold first.

What is mycoplasma pneumonia?

Pneumonia seen in children older than 5 years.

What is the mnemonic for mycoplasma pneumonia symptoms?

WALKING.

What does 'W' in 'WALKING' indicate?

Weak fever.

What is atelectasis?

Collapse of alveoli in the lungs.

What symptoms mnemonic is associated with atelectasis?

GASP.

What does 'G' in 'GASP' signify?

Grunting.

What is pneumothorax?

Air enters the pleural space, causing the lung to collapse.

What assessment mnemonic is related to pneumothorax?

AIR LOSS.

What does 'A' in 'AIR LOSS' represent?

Absent breath sounds.

What is bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD)?

A chronic lung disease in premature infants.

What mnemonic is used for assessing BPD symptoms?

PREEMIE.

What does 'P' in 'PREEMIE' represent?

Premature infant.

What is cystic fibrosis?

A genetic disease causing thick sticky mucus affecting lungs, pancreas, and sweat glands.

What mnemonic is used for assessing cystic fibrosis symptoms?

SALTY.

What does 'S' in 'SALTY' indicate?

Salty sweat.

What is the normal sweat chloride level?

< 20 mEq/L.

What sweat chloride level indicates cystic fibrosis?

60 mEq/L.

What treatment mnemonic is used for cystic fibrosis?

CLEAR AIR.

What does 'C' in 'CLEAR AIR' stand for?

Chest physiotherapy.

What respiratory disorder may require intubation due to severe symptoms?

Status asthmaticus.

What is a common reason for hospitalizing infants?

Bronchiolitis, primarily due to RSV.

What is the primary treatment for epiglottitis?

Airway protection and IV antibiotics.