COMPLETE SUMMARY FOR PEDS: CHAPTER 40 -
NURSING CARE OF A FAMILY WHEN A CHILD HAS A
RESPIRATORY DISORDER (exam 3). UPDATED 2024.
Upper respiratory tract disorders
-Choanal atresia
-Acute nasopharyngitis
-Pharyngitis
-Epistaxis
-Sinusitis
-Laryngitis
-Congenital laryngomalacia/tracheomalacia
-Laryngotracheobronchitis (Croup)
-Epiglottis
-Aspiration
-Bronchial obstruction
Choanal atresia Overview
-is a congenital obstruction of the posterior nares by an obstructing membrane or bony
growth, which prevents a newborn from drawing air through the nose and down into the
nasopharynx.
-It can occur unilaterally or bilaterally.
Choanal Atresia S/S
-newborns up to approximately 3 months of age are naturally nose breathers, so infants
born with this almost immediately develop signs of respiratory distress after birth as they
attempt to breathe through their nose for the first time.
Choanal Atresia Assessment
-by holding the newborn's mouth closed, then gently compressing first one nostril, then
the other.
-Their color improves when they open their mouth to cry.
Choanal Atresia Treatment
is either local piercing of the obstructing membrane or surgical removal of the bony
growth.
Acute Nasopharyngitis overview
-also known as the common cold.
-This is the most frequent infectious disease in children.
-Upper respiratory infections are caused by one of several viruses, most predominantly
by rhinovirus, RSV, adenovirus, and influenza viruses.
Acute Nasopharyngitis s/s
-begin with nasal congestion, a watery rhinitis, and a low-grade fever.
-The mucous membrane of the nose becomes edematous and inflamed, constricting
airway space and causing difficulty breathing.
Acute Nasopharyngitis Assessment
assess lymph nodes and assess nasal drainage and throat.
Acute Nasopharyngitis treatment
, -there is no specific treatment for a common cold.
-Antibiotics are not effective unless a secondary bacterial invasion has occurred.
-If a fever, give antipyretic, such as Tylenol or Motrin.
Pharyngitis overview
-is an infection and inflammation of the throat.
-The peak incidence occurs between 5 to 15 years of age in winter and spring.
Viral Pharyngitis
the causative agent is usually an adenovirus.
Streptococcal Pharyngitis
-Group A B-hemolytic streptococcus is the organism most frequently involved in
bacterial pharyngitis in children.
-All streptococcal infections must be taken seriously because they can lead to cardiac
and kidney damage from an accompanying autoimmune process.
Retropharyngeal Abscess
-in infants, the lymph nodes, which drain the nasopharynx, are located just behind the
posterior pharynx wall; following an acute nasopharyngitis or pharyngitis, these nodes
may become infected.
-Because these nodes disappear by preschool age, the problem is usually limited to
young infants.
Pharyngitis Assessment
result of a chronic allergy in which there is constant postnasal discharge that results in a
secondary irritation.
Viral Pharyngitis Assessment
-laboratory studies will usually indicate an increased white blood cell count.
-Regional lymph nodes may be enlarged.
-Erythema will be present in the back of the pharynx and the palatine arch.
Streptococcal Pharyngitis Assessment
-are generally more severe than viral infections.
-The back of the throat and palatine tonsils are usually markedly bright red; the tonsils
are enlarged and there may be a white exudate in the tonsillar crypts.
-Petechiae may be present on the palate.
-A throat culture, often completed as a quick office procedure, confirms the presence of
the Streptococcus bacteria.
Retropharyngeal Abscess Assessment
-reveals enlargement of the regional lymph nodes, although the mass in the posterior
pharynx may not be visible if it is below the point of vision.
-An ultrasound will reveal the bulging tissue in the pharynx.
-Laboratory studies will reveal leukocytosis.
Pharyngitis s/s
constant postnasal discharge.
Viral Pharyngitis s/s
generally mild; a sore throat, fever, rhinorrhea, cough and general malaise
Streptococcal Pharyngitis s/s
appears ill with a fever, difficulty swallowing, and overall lethargy.
Temperature is usually elevated, and child frequently c/o headache
Retropharyngeal abscess s/s
NURSING CARE OF A FAMILY WHEN A CHILD HAS A
RESPIRATORY DISORDER (exam 3). UPDATED 2024.
Upper respiratory tract disorders
-Choanal atresia
-Acute nasopharyngitis
-Pharyngitis
-Epistaxis
-Sinusitis
-Laryngitis
-Congenital laryngomalacia/tracheomalacia
-Laryngotracheobronchitis (Croup)
-Epiglottis
-Aspiration
-Bronchial obstruction
Choanal atresia Overview
-is a congenital obstruction of the posterior nares by an obstructing membrane or bony
growth, which prevents a newborn from drawing air through the nose and down into the
nasopharynx.
-It can occur unilaterally or bilaterally.
Choanal Atresia S/S
-newborns up to approximately 3 months of age are naturally nose breathers, so infants
born with this almost immediately develop signs of respiratory distress after birth as they
attempt to breathe through their nose for the first time.
Choanal Atresia Assessment
-by holding the newborn's mouth closed, then gently compressing first one nostril, then
the other.
-Their color improves when they open their mouth to cry.
Choanal Atresia Treatment
is either local piercing of the obstructing membrane or surgical removal of the bony
growth.
Acute Nasopharyngitis overview
-also known as the common cold.
-This is the most frequent infectious disease in children.
-Upper respiratory infections are caused by one of several viruses, most predominantly
by rhinovirus, RSV, adenovirus, and influenza viruses.
Acute Nasopharyngitis s/s
-begin with nasal congestion, a watery rhinitis, and a low-grade fever.
-The mucous membrane of the nose becomes edematous and inflamed, constricting
airway space and causing difficulty breathing.
Acute Nasopharyngitis Assessment
assess lymph nodes and assess nasal drainage and throat.
Acute Nasopharyngitis treatment
, -there is no specific treatment for a common cold.
-Antibiotics are not effective unless a secondary bacterial invasion has occurred.
-If a fever, give antipyretic, such as Tylenol or Motrin.
Pharyngitis overview
-is an infection and inflammation of the throat.
-The peak incidence occurs between 5 to 15 years of age in winter and spring.
Viral Pharyngitis
the causative agent is usually an adenovirus.
Streptococcal Pharyngitis
-Group A B-hemolytic streptococcus is the organism most frequently involved in
bacterial pharyngitis in children.
-All streptococcal infections must be taken seriously because they can lead to cardiac
and kidney damage from an accompanying autoimmune process.
Retropharyngeal Abscess
-in infants, the lymph nodes, which drain the nasopharynx, are located just behind the
posterior pharynx wall; following an acute nasopharyngitis or pharyngitis, these nodes
may become infected.
-Because these nodes disappear by preschool age, the problem is usually limited to
young infants.
Pharyngitis Assessment
result of a chronic allergy in which there is constant postnasal discharge that results in a
secondary irritation.
Viral Pharyngitis Assessment
-laboratory studies will usually indicate an increased white blood cell count.
-Regional lymph nodes may be enlarged.
-Erythema will be present in the back of the pharynx and the palatine arch.
Streptococcal Pharyngitis Assessment
-are generally more severe than viral infections.
-The back of the throat and palatine tonsils are usually markedly bright red; the tonsils
are enlarged and there may be a white exudate in the tonsillar crypts.
-Petechiae may be present on the palate.
-A throat culture, often completed as a quick office procedure, confirms the presence of
the Streptococcus bacteria.
Retropharyngeal Abscess Assessment
-reveals enlargement of the regional lymph nodes, although the mass in the posterior
pharynx may not be visible if it is below the point of vision.
-An ultrasound will reveal the bulging tissue in the pharynx.
-Laboratory studies will reveal leukocytosis.
Pharyngitis s/s
constant postnasal discharge.
Viral Pharyngitis s/s
generally mild; a sore throat, fever, rhinorrhea, cough and general malaise
Streptococcal Pharyngitis s/s
appears ill with a fever, difficulty swallowing, and overall lethargy.
Temperature is usually elevated, and child frequently c/o headache
Retropharyngeal abscess s/s
