Nursing Care of Children with Oxygenation Alterations

Vocabulary-style flashcards covering respiratory distress, specific respiratory infections, and conditions affects children's oxygenation based on lecture notes.

Tachypnea

An increased respiratory rate that acts as a key indicator of respiratory distress in children.

Retractions

The visible pulling in of the chest wall or neck during inhalation, signaling respiratory distress and increased work of breathing.

Oxygen Saturation Monitoring

The assessment of blood oxygen levels; a level below $92\%$ in children may require immediate intervention to prevent hypoxia.

Influenza Virus

An acute viral respiratory infection caused by type A, B, or C viruses, spread via droplets, requiring treatment within the first 48 hours of onset.

Pneumonia

An infection where inflammation causes excess fluid to fill the air sacs in one or both lungs, disturbing the natural defense mechanism of the upper respiratory tract.

Epiglottitis

A life-threatening inflammation of the flap at the back of the throat that prevents food from entering the trachea, most commonly caused by Haemophilus influenzae Type B (HIB).

Tripod Position

An abnormal breathing position often assumed by patients with epiglottitis to help maintain an open airway.

Dysphagia

Difficulty swallowing, which is one of the classic symptoms of epiglottitis.

Stridor

A high-pitched, inspiratory breath sound indicating significant upper airway obstruction, highly concerning in cases of epiglottitis or croup.

Croup

A contagious upper airway infection, most often caused by the parainfluenza virus, characterized by a "barking" or "seal-like cough."

Tracheal Tug

A sign of moderate to severe respiratory effort seen in children with croup, where the trachea moves downward during inhalation.

Dexamethasone

A corticosteroid used in the medical treatment of moderate to severe croup to decrease airway swelling.

Nebulized Epinephrine

A breathing treatment used to reduce swelling in severe croup; tachycardia is noted as a normal finding after administration.

Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS)

The sudden, unexplained death of an infant younger than 1 year old, which is the leading cause of death in infants.

Triple Risk Model

A framework for understanding SIDS that includes three factors: a high-risk infant, environmental factors, and physiological changes.

Allergic Rhinitis

Inflammation of the mucous membrane in the nose caused by allergens such as pollen, dust, or pets, characterized by pruritus and clear rhinorrhea.

Pharyngitis

Inflammation of the pharynx that can be viral or bacterial (such as strep throat), often treated with saltwater gargles and analgesics.

Sinusitis

Inflammation of the cavities surrounding the nasal passages, often presenting with pain or pressure and yellow/green nasal discharge.

Tonsillitis

Infection and inflammation of the tonsils, often a progression of pharyngitis, which may lead to a peritonsillar abscess in bacterial cases.