Pediatric Nursing Demystified

• Corticosteroids


• Cromolyn sodium


• Metered-dose inhaler (MDI)


• Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs)


• Corticosteroids


• β-adrenergic agents


• Salmeterol (Serevent)


• Methylxanthines


• Anticholinergics


• Leukotriene modifiers
  Exercise

Nursing Interventions

Assess how asthma impacts everyday life.

Assess child and family’s satisfaction with the effectiveness of the treatment

program.

Assist the child and family to avoid allergens.

Teach child and family to modify the environment to relieve asthmatic

episodes, (i.e., avoid excessive heat, cold, and other extremes of the

weather or wind).

Educate parents on reading food labels.

Avoid foods known to provoke symptoms, foods such as monosodium

glutamate (MSG), sulfites, bisulfites, and metabisulfites.

Avoid aspirin with children who are sensitive and subject to aspirin-

induced asthma.

Monitor for and alert caregivers to signs of status asthmaticus, a life-

threatening complication.

Bronchiolitis

What Went Wrong?

Bronchiolitis is an acute viral infection of the bronchioles. The illness occurs

most frequently in children <2 years of age during winter and spring. The res-

piratory syncytial virus (RSV)is responsible for 80% or most cases. The

inflammatory process leads to airway edema and the accumulation of mucous

and cellular debris. The obstruction in the airways leads to overinflation in

some alveoli and atelectasis in others.

Signs and Symptoms

Symptoms of upper respiratory infection (URI), such as sneezing, rhi-

norrhea,decreased appetite, low-grade fever, and coughing.

Wheezing, retractions, crackles, nasal flaring, dyspnea, prolonged expiratory

phase, and intermittent cyanosis.

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CHAPTER 5/ Respiratory Conditions^83