Neonatal and Pediatric Respiratory Care Flashcards

Which condition in premature infants results from surfactant deficiency?

Answer: Respiratory distress syndrome (RDS)

Neonatal RDS (hyaline membrane disease) results from surfactant deficiency in premature infants, leading to diffuse alveolar collapse and respiratory failure.

The primary treatment for neonatal RDS is:

Answer: Exogenous surfactant replacement therapy

Exogenous surfactant administered intratracheally stabilizes alveoli and dramatically improves oxygenation and survival in neonates with RDS.

Normal SpO2 targets for premature neonates receiving supplemental oxygen to reduce retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) risk are:

Answer: 91–95%

Current guidelines recommend targeting SpO2 of 91–95% in premature neonates to balance ROP risk (excess oxygen) against necrotizing enterocolitis and mortality risk (insufficient oxygen).

Bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) is defined as oxygen dependency at:

Answer: 28 days of life

BPD is defined as oxygen requirement at 28 days of life and reflects chronic lung injury from mechanical ventilation, oxygen toxicity, and inflammation in premature infants.

Meconium aspiration syndrome (MAS) occurs when:

Answer: Meconium-stained amniotic fluid is inhaled, causing airway obstruction and inflammation

MAS results from aspiration of meconium-stained amniotic fluid, causing chemical pneumonitis, mechanical obstruction, and surfactant inactivation, often in term or post-term infants.

Neonatal nasal CPAP is most commonly used to treat which condition?

Answer: Neonatal RDS and apnea of prematurity

Nasal CPAP reduces the need for invasive mechanical ventilation in preterm infants with RDS by maintaining alveolar patency, and also reduces apnea of prematurity episodes.