RNSG 1412 (Ob/Pedi) - Exam 2, PPT & Learning Guide: Nursing
Care of the Child with a Respiratory Dx|Pediatric Respiratory
Assessment, Airway Anatomy, Pathophysiology, Clinical Manifestations,
Respiratory Distress, Oxygen Therapy, Upper Respiratory Infections,
Pharyngitis, Tonsillitis, Tonsillectomy Care, Asthma Pathogenesis, Triggers,
Risk Factors, Diagnostic Evaluation, Therapeutic Interventions,
Pharmacologic Management, Nursing Assessment, Airway Obstruction,
Nasopharyngeal Development, Lymphoid Tissue, Oxygen Delivery Devices,
Accessory Muscle Use, Retractions, Tachypnea, Cyanosis, Respiratory Rate
Norms, Evidence-Based Care, Patient Education, Postoperative Monitoring,
Infection Control, Emergency Management, Status Asthmaticus, Mechanical
Ventilation Eexam Questions Verified and Provided with Complete A+
Graded Rationales Latest Updated 2026
Differences in a Child’s Airway
•Smaller nasopharynx, easily occluded during infection
•Lymph tissue (tonsils, adenoids) grow rapidly in early childhood then atrophies after age 12
•Small oral cavity and large tongue increases risk of obstruction
•Thyroid, cricoid, and tracheal cartilage is immature and may collapse when neck is flexed
•Fewer functional muscles in airway
•More soft tissue and mucous membranes lining the airway increase the risk of edema and obstruction
The diameter of an infant's airway is approximately 4 mm, in contrast to an adult's airway of 20 mm.
A short narrow airway can
Become easily obstructed with mucus or edema
,Indications of Respiratory Distress in Infants and Children
•Nasal Flaring
•Circumoral cyanosis
•Expiratory grunting
•Retractions:
•Substernal, suprasternal Lower intercostal
•Supraclavicular
•Tachypnea
•Respirations greater than 60
Respiratory Distress Clinical Manifestations
•Respiratory rate - rhythm - depth
•Use of accessory muscles
•Inspiratory and expiratory effort
•Lung sounds
•Oxygenation status - How does a nurse know the patient is oxygenated if there is no pulse oximeter?
Normal RR by age (newborn, 2yr, 4yr, 10yr, 16yr)
Newborn = 30-60
2 yr = 20-30
4 yr = 20-25
10 yr = 14-22
16 yr = 12-18
,Respiratory Distress Oxygen Administration
How much oxygen are you going to administer with this device?
•Nasal Cannula
•Simple face mask
•Nonrebreather
•Other types of oxygen delivery devices
•Venturi
•Aerosol
•Bag mask valve
Upper Respiratory Tract Infections
Pharyngitis(viral or bacterial)
•Most commonly seen bacteria: Group A strep (rare before age 3)
•Manifestations:
•Viral- gradual sore throat, erythema of pharynx, tonsil inflammation, low grade fever, hoarseness,
malaise, anorexia, rhinitis, conjunctivitis, enlarged/tender, cervical lymph nodes
•Bacterial- erythema of pharynx, tonsil inflammation abrupt sore throat, high fever, abdominal pain,
headache, dysphagia, abdominal pain
Tonsillitis
•Manifestations: Recurrent or persistent sore throat, Enlarged tonsils with exudate, difficulty
swallowing, mouth breathing, enlarged adenoids (snoring, OSA, speech affected)
, Upper Respiratory Infections Clinical Manifestations and Treatment
•Diagnostic Evaluation:
•throat culture- rule out viral vs bacterial
•Treatment:
•viral- symptomatic care (rest, warm fluids, salt-water gargles)
•bacterial- antibiotic therapy (common- amoxicillin)
•antipyretics
•Surgical Treatment:
•Tonsillectomy in cases of recurrent tonsillitis.
https://youtu.be/oSRtTclbtsE
Upper Respiratory Infections -Tonsillectomy Nursing Care, pre-op/ post-op
•Preoperative
Care of the Child with a Respiratory Dx|Pediatric Respiratory
Assessment, Airway Anatomy, Pathophysiology, Clinical Manifestations,
Respiratory Distress, Oxygen Therapy, Upper Respiratory Infections,
Pharyngitis, Tonsillitis, Tonsillectomy Care, Asthma Pathogenesis, Triggers,
Risk Factors, Diagnostic Evaluation, Therapeutic Interventions,
Pharmacologic Management, Nursing Assessment, Airway Obstruction,
Nasopharyngeal Development, Lymphoid Tissue, Oxygen Delivery Devices,
Accessory Muscle Use, Retractions, Tachypnea, Cyanosis, Respiratory Rate
Norms, Evidence-Based Care, Patient Education, Postoperative Monitoring,
Infection Control, Emergency Management, Status Asthmaticus, Mechanical
Ventilation Eexam Questions Verified and Provided with Complete A+
Graded Rationales Latest Updated 2026
Differences in a Child’s Airway
•Smaller nasopharynx, easily occluded during infection
•Lymph tissue (tonsils, adenoids) grow rapidly in early childhood then atrophies after age 12
•Small oral cavity and large tongue increases risk of obstruction
•Thyroid, cricoid, and tracheal cartilage is immature and may collapse when neck is flexed
•Fewer functional muscles in airway
•More soft tissue and mucous membranes lining the airway increase the risk of edema and obstruction
The diameter of an infant's airway is approximately 4 mm, in contrast to an adult's airway of 20 mm.
A short narrow airway can
Become easily obstructed with mucus or edema
,Indications of Respiratory Distress in Infants and Children
•Nasal Flaring
•Circumoral cyanosis
•Expiratory grunting
•Retractions:
•Substernal, suprasternal Lower intercostal
•Supraclavicular
•Tachypnea
•Respirations greater than 60
Respiratory Distress Clinical Manifestations
•Respiratory rate - rhythm - depth
•Use of accessory muscles
•Inspiratory and expiratory effort
•Lung sounds
•Oxygenation status - How does a nurse know the patient is oxygenated if there is no pulse oximeter?
Normal RR by age (newborn, 2yr, 4yr, 10yr, 16yr)
Newborn = 30-60
2 yr = 20-30
4 yr = 20-25
10 yr = 14-22
16 yr = 12-18
,Respiratory Distress Oxygen Administration
How much oxygen are you going to administer with this device?
•Nasal Cannula
•Simple face mask
•Nonrebreather
•Other types of oxygen delivery devices
•Venturi
•Aerosol
•Bag mask valve
Upper Respiratory Tract Infections
Pharyngitis(viral or bacterial)
•Most commonly seen bacteria: Group A strep (rare before age 3)
•Manifestations:
•Viral- gradual sore throat, erythema of pharynx, tonsil inflammation, low grade fever, hoarseness,
malaise, anorexia, rhinitis, conjunctivitis, enlarged/tender, cervical lymph nodes
•Bacterial- erythema of pharynx, tonsil inflammation abrupt sore throat, high fever, abdominal pain,
headache, dysphagia, abdominal pain
Tonsillitis
•Manifestations: Recurrent or persistent sore throat, Enlarged tonsils with exudate, difficulty
swallowing, mouth breathing, enlarged adenoids (snoring, OSA, speech affected)
, Upper Respiratory Infections Clinical Manifestations and Treatment
•Diagnostic Evaluation:
•throat culture- rule out viral vs bacterial
•Treatment:
•viral- symptomatic care (rest, warm fluids, salt-water gargles)
•bacterial- antibiotic therapy (common- amoxicillin)
•antipyretics
•Surgical Treatment:
•Tonsillectomy in cases of recurrent tonsillitis.
https://youtu.be/oSRtTclbtsE
Upper Respiratory Infections -Tonsillectomy Nursing Care, pre-op/ post-op
•Preoperative
