Respiratory Distress Quick Review

Symptoms of Hypoxia

• Acronym $\text{RAT\ BED}$

  • Early ("RAT")
  • Restlessness
  • Anxiety
  • Tachycardia / Tachypnea
  • Late ("BED")
  • Bradycardia
  • Extreme restlessness
  • Dyspnea (severe)

• Additional early signs

  • Rapid, shallow respirations
  • Substernal or intercostal retractions

6 P’s of Dyspnea (Primary Causes)

• Pulmonary bronchial constriction
• Possible foreign body
• Pulmonary embolus
• Pneumothorax
• Pneumonia
• Pump failure (heart failure)

Pediatric Indicators of Respiratory Distress

• Feeding difficulty
• Inspiratory stridor
• Nares flare
• Expiratory grunting
• Sternal retractions (visible chest-wall pulling)