 Inflammation from the larynx to the bronchi

 This is d/t viruses, allergies, stress

Signs and Symptoms

 Barking cough or brassy cough
 Stridor (narrowing of the upper airways) during inspiration
 Wheezed are heard when lower airways are constricted, heard during
expirations
 Tachypnea
 Respiratory distress
 Cyanosis
 Circumoral cyanosis is more dangerous because it is already
near the heart yet not properly perfused
 Nasal flaring
 Chest retractions

Diagnostics
 Chest x-ray
 Home
 Place them in the shower room and open the warm shower; warm
steam inhalation will promote bronchodilation
 Emergency room
 Mild respiratory distress: croup or mist tent and has oxygen
inside
o Encloses oxygen to give oxygen to administer
o Cover the eyes to prevent retrolental fibroplasia
o Mist tent has 100% humidified oxygen
o Avoid toys that produce friction and cause combustion
 Severe respiratory distress: tracheostomy

Nursing Management
 Ineffective airway clearance (when there is airway constriction)
 VS, respiratory status
 Monitor O2 saturation (N: >95%)
o <95% is called hypoxia
o Hypoxemia is determined in ABG only
 Monitor ABGs
 pH: 7.35- 7.45
 PaCO2: 35-45
 HCO3: 22-26 mEq/ L
 PaO2: 80-100 mmHg
 Initial: respiratory alkalosis with hypoxemia
 Severe: respiratory acidosis with hypoxemia
 Administer O2 mist tent
 Prepare tracheostomy set

EPIGLOTTITIS
 Inflammation of epiglottis
 Tripod position may be seen
 More severe than LTB d/t bacterial infection

Manifestations
 Stridor (epiglottis is part of the URT)
 Protruding tongue
 Pulls the inflamed epiglottis up
 Tripod position (sitting and leaning forward)
 Respiratory distress

Diagnostics
 Xray of the mouth

Management
 Antibiotics
 Prepare tracheostomy immediately because this is a medical
emergency
 An ENT will be the one to perform a tracheostomy