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NUR 417
NUR 417 Exam 2: Care of Adult II – 2025 Actual
Questions and Answers Concordia University St. Paul.
How does a higher metabolic rate (2x adult rate) affect peds respiratory
function? - ANS Increased need for oxygen & glucose
How does a smaller airway (Infants airway is 4cm in length, ¼ the diameter of
an adult) affect peds respiratory function? - ANS More vulnerable to
consequences of upper resp. tract infection, enlarged tonsils/adenoids,
allergic reaction, head positioning during sleep, small object aspiration
How does the airway having large amounts of soft tissue & mucous
membranes that are loosely anchored affect peds respiratory function? - ANS
Increases likelihood of airway edema & obstruction
How does fewer functional muscles in the airway affect peds respiratory
function? - ANS Less able to compensate for edema, spasm & trauma
How does nose breathing (infants <4mo.) affect peds respiratory function? -
ANS Can develop resp. Distress from nasal congestion
NUR 417
, 2
NUR 417
How does Soft ribs & poorly developed intercostal muscles (until the age of
7) affect peds respiratory function? - ANS Cannot use the ribs/intercostal
muscles to help breathe, must use diaphragm. Any pressure on the
diaphragm can impede the respiratory effort (this is how retractions are
seen), which can lead to paradoxal breathing = hypercapnia, fatigue, resp
failure
How does horizontal ribs affect peds respiratory function? - ANS -thorax is
already maximally expanded in anterior & posterior
-Intercostal muscles aren't helpful in expanding lung volumes
How does having fewer alveoli affect peds respiratory function? - ANS Less
surface area for gas exchange & increase vulnerability during resp illness
How does having a small oral cavity & large tongue relative to oropharynx
affect peds respiratory function? - ANS Can easily cause airway obstruction
How does having a Short neck & trachea affect peds respiratory function? -
ANS Intubation can be easily dislodged with head movement. Increased risk
for right mainstem intubation (tube placed in right bronchus during
intubation)
NUR 417
, 3
NUR 417
How does the larynx & glottis being higher in the neck affect peds respiratory
function? - ANS Increased risk for infection
How does the tonsils & adenoids (lymph tissue) growing rapidly during early
childhood affect peds respiratory function? - ANS Can swell during infection,
causing upper airway obstruction to the already small pharyngeal structure
How does the Larynx (upper trachea) where vocal cords are, being made of
immature cartilage affect peds respiratory function? - ANS Can be easily
compressed & obstruct the airway. Ex. if neck is flexed, this area can easily
collapse, causing further narrowing
How does a long and floppy epiglottis affect peds respiratory function? - ANS
More vulnerable to swelling from obstruction or aspiration
How does short, open, and horizontal eustachian tubes affect peds
respiratory function? - ANS Increased potential for ear infections
How does premature cilia affect peds respiratory function? - ANS Waste
products cannot be moved easily
NUR 417
, 4
NUR 417
Why are peds subject to atelectasis and obstruction especially as a result of
repeated infection? - ANS •Infants and young children have less alveolar
surface area for gas exchange
•The narrowly branching peripheral airways become easily obstructed
•Lack of collateral pathways inhibits ventilation beyond the obstructed units
What are the cardinal signs of respiratory failure? - ANS •Restlessness
•Tachypnea/Tachycardia
•Diaphoresis
What are earlier/less obvious signs of respiratory failure? - ANS •Mood
changes/anxiety/irritability
•Decreased LOC
•Headache
•Change in respirations
•Hypertension
•DOE
•Anorexia
•Nasal flaring and/or grunting
NUR 417
NUR 417
NUR 417 Exam 2: Care of Adult II – 2025 Actual
Questions and Answers Concordia University St. Paul.
How does a higher metabolic rate (2x adult rate) affect peds respiratory
function? - ANS Increased need for oxygen & glucose
How does a smaller airway (Infants airway is 4cm in length, ¼ the diameter of
an adult) affect peds respiratory function? - ANS More vulnerable to
consequences of upper resp. tract infection, enlarged tonsils/adenoids,
allergic reaction, head positioning during sleep, small object aspiration
How does the airway having large amounts of soft tissue & mucous
membranes that are loosely anchored affect peds respiratory function? - ANS
Increases likelihood of airway edema & obstruction
How does fewer functional muscles in the airway affect peds respiratory
function? - ANS Less able to compensate for edema, spasm & trauma
How does nose breathing (infants <4mo.) affect peds respiratory function? -
ANS Can develop resp. Distress from nasal congestion
NUR 417
, 2
NUR 417
How does Soft ribs & poorly developed intercostal muscles (until the age of
7) affect peds respiratory function? - ANS Cannot use the ribs/intercostal
muscles to help breathe, must use diaphragm. Any pressure on the
diaphragm can impede the respiratory effort (this is how retractions are
seen), which can lead to paradoxal breathing = hypercapnia, fatigue, resp
failure
How does horizontal ribs affect peds respiratory function? - ANS -thorax is
already maximally expanded in anterior & posterior
-Intercostal muscles aren't helpful in expanding lung volumes
How does having fewer alveoli affect peds respiratory function? - ANS Less
surface area for gas exchange & increase vulnerability during resp illness
How does having a small oral cavity & large tongue relative to oropharynx
affect peds respiratory function? - ANS Can easily cause airway obstruction
How does having a Short neck & trachea affect peds respiratory function? -
ANS Intubation can be easily dislodged with head movement. Increased risk
for right mainstem intubation (tube placed in right bronchus during
intubation)
NUR 417
, 3
NUR 417
How does the larynx & glottis being higher in the neck affect peds respiratory
function? - ANS Increased risk for infection
How does the tonsils & adenoids (lymph tissue) growing rapidly during early
childhood affect peds respiratory function? - ANS Can swell during infection,
causing upper airway obstruction to the already small pharyngeal structure
How does the Larynx (upper trachea) where vocal cords are, being made of
immature cartilage affect peds respiratory function? - ANS Can be easily
compressed & obstruct the airway. Ex. if neck is flexed, this area can easily
collapse, causing further narrowing
How does a long and floppy epiglottis affect peds respiratory function? - ANS
More vulnerable to swelling from obstruction or aspiration
How does short, open, and horizontal eustachian tubes affect peds
respiratory function? - ANS Increased potential for ear infections
How does premature cilia affect peds respiratory function? - ANS Waste
products cannot be moved easily
NUR 417
, 4
NUR 417
Why are peds subject to atelectasis and obstruction especially as a result of
repeated infection? - ANS •Infants and young children have less alveolar
surface area for gas exchange
•The narrowly branching peripheral airways become easily obstructed
•Lack of collateral pathways inhibits ventilation beyond the obstructed units
What are the cardinal signs of respiratory failure? - ANS •Restlessness
•Tachypnea/Tachycardia
•Diaphoresis
What are earlier/less obvious signs of respiratory failure? - ANS •Mood
changes/anxiety/irritability
•Decreased LOC
•Headache
•Change in respirations
•Hypertension
•DOE
•Anorexia
•Nasal flaring and/or grunting
NUR 417
