Wheeze in Infants: Presentation and Management
This tutorial focuses on the presentation and management of wheeze in infants (children aged up to 12 months). It deals in detail with bronchiolitis, the most common presentation of wheeze in infants, and respiratory syncytial virus, its most common cause. Evidence-based assessment and management strategies are also discussed.
This tutorial is aimed at all nurses who come into contact with children, especially those working in primary care or emergency departments. It is one of three on the diagnosis, management and prevention of wheeze in children. We strongly recommend that nurses complete the tutorial titled Wheeze in Infants and Children: Assessment, Diagnosis and Acute Indications, before starting this one.
3 CPD hours
3 CNA points
This tutorial focuses on the presentation and management of wheeze in infants (children aged up to 12 months). It deals in detail with bronchiolitis, the most common presentation of wheeze in infants, and respiratory syncytial virus, its most common cause. Evidence-based assessment and management strategies are also discussed.This tutorial is aimed at all nurses who come into contact with children, especially those working in primary care or emergency departments. It is one of three on the diagnosis, management and prevention of wheeze in children. We strongly recommend that nurses complete the tutorial titled Wheeze in Infants and Children: Assessment, Diagnosis and Acute Indications, before starting this one.
Tara De Koning RN, Grad Dip (Child and Family Health), Master of Nursing (Nurse Practitioner)
Tara has over 16 years’ experience in child health across primary, tertiary and community/ambulatory health care settings. She completed a nurse practitioner master's degree in New Zealand that focused on child health.
Sarah Adams RN, DipAppSci (Nsg); BHS (Nsg); Paediatric cardiothoracic certificate & GC NIC; MN (education)
Sarah has more than 21 years experience in critical care nursing and specialises in paediatrics and neonates. Sarah's areas of interest include retrieval, trauma & cardiac. Sarah has a passion for education and has worked in education positions in the public hospital and university sectors. Sarah is currently employed as a nurse educator in newborn care at a major tertiary Children's hospital. Sarah has commenced a second Master's degree in nursing with a view to becoming a Nurse Practitioner.
- Be able to identify the common causes of wheeze in infants;
- Understand the basic pathophysiology of bronchiolitis in infants;
- Be able to differentiate between mild, moderate and severe bronchiolitis, and have an understanding of how each should be managed;
- Be aware of infection control strategies to prevent the spread of respiratory syncytial virus;
- Be able to incorporate environmental factors into parental education for infants with bronchiolitis.