Pediatric respiratory distress
NCLEX-RN glossary · Physiological Adaptation
Definition
A clinical state in children where respiratory effort is significantly increased to maintain gas exchange, often preceding rapid physiological decompensation.
Pediatric respiratory distress in plain English
Cues such as grunting, nasal flaring, and intercostal retractions are escalation red flags for impending respiratory failure and require immediate intervention. A common mistake is interpreting a sudden decrease in respiratory rate as a sign of improvement rather than a signal of patient exhaustion and imminent respiratory arrest.
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