SHN2004 - Breathing
Breathing
Paediatric Respiratory System
Large head, small mandible, small neck
Large, posteriorly placed tongue
High glottic opening
Small airways
Presence of tonsils, adenoids
What does normal respiration involve?
Respiration refers to the mechanisms for obtaining oxygen
from the air and delivering it to the tissues, while eliminating
carbon dioxide from the body.
- Inspiration (ventilation – ACTIVE)
- Gas exchange between alveoli and blood
- Transportation of carbon dioxide
- Gas exchange between blood and alveoli
- Expiration – PASSIVE
Respiratory rate – normal range
, SHN2004 - Breathing
Assessing breathing
Look
Listen
Feel
Dyspnoea – derived from a Greek word which means ‘difficulty with breathing’ – is
extremely distressing for patients.
Patients describe it a ‘suffocating’, ‘tightness’, a feeling of impending doom.
When assessing a patient breathing, we are looking for signs of respiratory distress or
inadequate ventilation.
Respiratory distress
Respiratory distress describes many of the symptoms related to breathing problems.
There can be many causes of respiratory distress in children, but usually it’s causes by
infections, chronic illness, or a blocked airway
Respiratory Emergencies
Laryngotracheobronchitis – Croup
Croup: Pathophysiology
This is the most common cause of upper air obstruction in children aged 6 months to 6
years.
Viral in origin, usually caused by parainfluenza virus.
Characterised by subglottic inflammation and narrowing.
Croup: Signs/Symptoms
Initially, the symptoms of croup are similar to those of the common cold:
- A sore throat
- Runny nose
- Raised temperature cough
- The characteristics symptoms of croup develop a few days later.
- The child will develop a barking cough, hoarse voice, and noisy breathing (stridor).
- The symptoms tend to be worse at night. They also worsen when the child cries or is
upset.
Croup Management
Asthma
Breathing
Paediatric Respiratory System
Large head, small mandible, small neck
Large, posteriorly placed tongue
High glottic opening
Small airways
Presence of tonsils, adenoids
What does normal respiration involve?
Respiration refers to the mechanisms for obtaining oxygen
from the air and delivering it to the tissues, while eliminating
carbon dioxide from the body.
- Inspiration (ventilation – ACTIVE)
- Gas exchange between alveoli and blood
- Transportation of carbon dioxide
- Gas exchange between blood and alveoli
- Expiration – PASSIVE
Respiratory rate – normal range
, SHN2004 - Breathing
Assessing breathing
Look
Listen
Feel
Dyspnoea – derived from a Greek word which means ‘difficulty with breathing’ – is
extremely distressing for patients.
Patients describe it a ‘suffocating’, ‘tightness’, a feeling of impending doom.
When assessing a patient breathing, we are looking for signs of respiratory distress or
inadequate ventilation.
Respiratory distress
Respiratory distress describes many of the symptoms related to breathing problems.
There can be many causes of respiratory distress in children, but usually it’s causes by
infections, chronic illness, or a blocked airway
Respiratory Emergencies
Laryngotracheobronchitis – Croup
Croup: Pathophysiology
This is the most common cause of upper air obstruction in children aged 6 months to 6
years.
Viral in origin, usually caused by parainfluenza virus.
Characterised by subglottic inflammation and narrowing.
Croup: Signs/Symptoms
Initially, the symptoms of croup are similar to those of the common cold:
- A sore throat
- Runny nose
- Raised temperature cough
- The characteristics symptoms of croup develop a few days later.
- The child will develop a barking cough, hoarse voice, and noisy breathing (stridor).
- The symptoms tend to be worse at night. They also worsen when the child cries or is
upset.
Croup Management
Asthma
