Pediatric Nursing Demystified

Nursing Intervention

A thorough nursing assessment is essential.

Education and support to the caregiver

Provide nursing care and teach family members to

• Assess hydration.


• Note color of nasal drainage, duration of fever.


• Monitor for the presence of respiratory distress or complications
  from a more severe condition:
  Wheezing or shortness of breath
  Respiratory rate >50 to 60 breaths/minute
  Listlessness or irritability and crying
  Persistent cough >2 days
  Refusing food or drink
  Poor sleeping pattern

Tonsillitis and Pharyngitis

What Went Wrong?

Tonsillitis and pharyngitis are common viral infections in children; however,

20% of acute tonsillitis and pharyngitis are caused by group Ab-hemolytic

streptococci (GABHS)and can lead to significant health problems.

Signs and Symptoms

Sore throat.

Difficulty swallowing.

Fever.

Most manifestations are by inflammation.

As the palatine tonsils enlarge with edema, they may meet midline of the

throat and cause the child to have difficulty swallowing and breathing.

Mouth breathing leads to offensive mouth odor.

Persistent cough.

Children with GABHS may experience

• Headache


• Abdominal pain


• Nausea


• Vomiting


• Diarrhea

Test Results

Throat cultures positive for GABHS infection warrant antibiotic treatment.

Treatment

Treatment of viral tonsillitis and pharyngitis is symptomatic.

Warm saline gargles.

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CHAPTER 5/ Respiratory Conditions^75