Pediatric Nursing Demystified

CHAPTER 5/ Respiratory Conditions^73

Overview

The respiratory tract consists of upper and lower airway structures. Upper airway

structures begin with the oronasopharynx, the passageway connecting the nasal

airway to the trachea. Because the oral area is a shared passageway to the

esophagus as well as the pharynx and larynx, inflammation in the area can

impact swallowing as well as breathing. The pharynx and upper trachea, which

contains the glottis or vocal cords and epiglottis of the larynx, have an impact

on speech as well as breathing. Lower airway structures include the lower

trachea, bronchi, bronchioles, and alveoliof the lungs. The lungs are divided

into a two-lobed lung on the left and a three-lobed lung on the right side of the

chest. Infants and children have smaller airway structures than those of adults;

thus obstruction of the airway can occur rapidly. In addition, the cartilage of the

young pediatric airway and reactive bronchial smooth muscle places the pediatric

client at risk for obstruction due to bronchial constriction.

This chapter examines the common respiratory illnesses that are seen in

the childhood population. The text explores the illnesses as altered functions

Angle of

Louis

Left main stem

bronchus

Left upper

lobe

Left lower

lobe

Right main stem

bronchus

Segmential

bronchi

Right upper

lobe

Right lower

lobe

Right middle

lobe

FIGURE 5-2