32919 Management of Respiratory Emergencies in Children

Course overview

Discussion of respiratory emergencies in children including unique features of the pediatric airway, the clinical signs of respiratory distress and respiratory failure, common causes of upper and lower airway obstruction in the pediatric patient, as well as current management of respiratory distress and failure. A large number of pediatric emergency room visits are related to respiratory problems, necessitating quick identification by healthcare providers to determine the severity of the problem. Cardiopulmonary arrest in children is often precipitated by a respiratory event that leads to respiratory distress or failure, and early recognition and initiation of treatment is crucial in order to prevent demise of a child experiencing a respiratory emergency. Conditions such as aspiration of a foreign body, asthma, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), among many others, are all common issues that may lead to respiratory distress in the pediatric population, necessitating quick response and treatment in order to prevent negative outcomes associated with compromised respiratory function. This program discusses pediatric respiratory emergencies, including pediatric airway anatomy, upper and lower airway obstruction management, oxygen delivery devices, and advanced airway procedures related to management of individuals in respiratory distress and/or failure.