Pediatric Nurse Respiratory and Cardiovascular Disorders Flashcards

Which medication is the first-line treatment for an acute asthma exacerbation in a pediatric patient?

Answer: Short-acting beta-2 agonists (e.g., albuterol)

Short-acting beta-2 agonists like albuterol are the first-line bronchodilators for acute asthma exacerbations due to their rapid onset and ability to quickly relieve bronchospasm.

A 3-month-old infant with confirmed RSV bronchiolitis is admitted with wheezing, tachypnea, and poor feeding. What is the priority nursing intervention?

Answer: Maintain airway patency and closely monitor respiratory status

RSV bronchiolitis management is primarily supportive; ensuring airway patency and monitoring respiratory status are the highest priorities as infants can deteriorate rapidly.

A child presents to the ED with a barking cough and mild inspiratory stridor at rest, consistent with mild-to-moderate croup. Which intervention is first-line?

Answer: A single dose of oral or IM dexamethasone

Dexamethasone is the first-line treatment for mild-to-moderate croup because it reduces subglottic edema through its anti-inflammatory effect and has a prolonged duration of action.

Which clinical presentation best distinguishes epiglottitis from croup in a febrile child?

Answer: Tripod positioning, drooling, and high fever without cough

Epiglottitis classically presents with tripod positioning (leaning forward on hands), drooling due to inability to swallow, and high fever without the barking cough seen in croup.

Which nursing intervention is most important for a hospitalized child with cystic fibrosis (CF) to prevent pulmonary complications?

Answer: Perform chest physiotherapy and airway clearance techniques regularly

Chest physiotherapy and airway clearance techniques mobilize the thick, viscous mucus characteristic of CF, reducing the risk of infection, atelectasis, and progressive lung damage.

A toddler presents with sudden onset of choking and coughing, followed by unilateral decreased breath sounds on the right side. What is the most likely diagnosis?

Answer: Foreign body aspiration lodged in the right mainstem bronchus

The sudden onset of choking with unilateral decreased breath sounds strongly suggests foreign body aspiration, as the object commonly lodges in the right mainstem bronchus due to its more vertical angle.

Which oxygen delivery device provides the highest concentration of oxygen for a child in severe respiratory distress who is breathing spontaneously?

Answer: Non-rebreather mask with reservoir bag (60-95% FiO2)

A non-rebreather mask with a reservoir bag and one-way valves can deliver up to 95% FiO2 by preventing rebreathing of exhaled air, making it the highest-concentration device for spontaneously breathing patients.