M. Zupan
Služba za pljučne bolezni, Pediatrična klinika, Univerzitetni klinični center Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenija

H. Leskovec
Služba za pljučne bolezni, Pediatrična klinika, Univerzitetni klinični center Ljubljana

Abstract

There are numerous anatomical and pathophysiological differences in breathing between the child and the adult. Respiratory diseases are the most frequent cause of morbidity in childhood, they are the most frequent cause for visiting a doctor and in 30-40%, the reason for hospital admission. In upper respiratory tract infections, the upper airways are clogged with secretions, which is a significant nursing problem for parents already in the home environment. Assessing and ensuring patency of the respiratory tract in the child is one of the important tasks of a nurse, as it can, through good observation and planning of its activities, significantly affect the course of the disease in the child. The nurse supervises the patency of the upper respiratory tract and carries out aspiration according to the criteria and standard for the procedure. In the process of nursing, parents are actively involved all the time, as partners in caring for the sick child. If the upper respiratory airway patency decreases, problems may arise in otherwise healthy children. The nurse must recognize them and act with the goal of maintaining patency of the respiratory tract in the home and hospital environments.

Key words: child, upper respiratory tract, aspiration, nurse