Episode notes
🌬️ PALS: Recognizing Respiratory Distress vs. Respiratory Failure — High-Yield Study Guide
⚠️ Respiratory problems are the #1 cause of pediatric cardiac arrest. Early recognition = survival.
1️⃣ Respiratory Distress — The Compensation Phase
The child is still maintaining oxygenation + ventilation by working harder.
🔥 Key Signs (“WORK OF BREATHING ↑”)
- Tachypnea (earliest sign)
- Nasal flaring 👃
- Retractions (intercostal, suprasternal, subcostal)
- Head bobbing 🧠↕️ (infants)
- Grunting (auto-PEEP to keep alveoli open)
- Wheezing or stridor (depends on upper vs. lower airway)
- Anxious, irritable
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