As you guys know, my friend and ER Nurse Jordyn Redwood has been guest posting on my blog about common medical questions that young parents have.  I’m so grateful that she has volunteered to continue posting– I’ve learned so much from her posts!  Even better, Jordyn has asked me if any of my readers have specific questions for her to answer… so, if you have a pressing (or not-so-pressing) question about pediatric medicine, leave it in the comments and I’ll make sure Jordyn gets it.

As promised, my friend Jordyn Redwood, ER nurse and writer extraordinaire is going to be posting common medical Q & A’s on my blog twice every month. I’m superexcited about this and think it will not only be a ton of fun but it will also be really informative. So, a huge thank you to Jordyn! And, if you want to know more about her, Jordyn is not only a novelist with a book coming out from Kregel in a few months, but she’s also a blogger who writes a superfun blog called “Redwood’s Medical Edge” where she discusses now novelists approach medical issues in their books. Check it out here.

Proper use of a Bulb Syringe

After your baby is delivered, most people look at this item and think it’s not useful anymore. I’m here to tell you that it may be one of the most useful items you have on hand—especially during respiratory season.

 

The size you go home with will work well for the first few months of life. However, if your child is older than 3-4 months, you’ll need to purchase a larger size or obtain one from your pediatrician.

Bulb syringes are designed to clear secretions from the nose and mouth. During RSV season, one of the most problematic symptoms for infants is the increase in thick, tenacious secretions. An infant with a clogged nose won’t nurse or take the bottle well. If they aren’t feeding well, this can lead to a concern for dehydration. Also, a stuffy nose makes for more difficult sleep and a non-sleeping baby leads to a cranky household.

It’s best to use the bulb syringe to:
1. Clear an obvious clogged nose.
2. Clear the nose before feeding.
3. Clear the nose before sleep.

Here’s the procedure:
1. Instill a few saline drops into the nose and let the infant breathe in and out for a few breaths.
2. Depress the bulb and insert the tip a few millimeters into one nare.
3. Let the bulb inflate back up while keeping the end in the nose. This will pull out the secretions. If the bulb stays depressed, it’s likely that the nare is pretty clogged and you’ll need to repeat these steps until it inflates back up easily.
4. Once the inflated bulb is out of the nose, depress it again into a tissue to remove the secretions you collected.

This You-tube video gives a pretty good overview: http://youtu.be/uNl31A_b_bs. I would just add using the saline drops as this will help loosen and thin the secretions.

Are you comfortable using a bulb syringe?

Jordyn Redwood has served the pediatric population and their families for many years. She has five years of experience in the pediatric ICU and ten years of pediatric ER nursing which is the area she currently works. Jordyn also teaches CPR and advanced resuscitation courses.

Jordyn is also a suspense author. Her novel, Lilly’s Ashes, will be published by Kregel in the Spring of 2012. She also hosts a medical blog for authors which you can find at www.jordynredwood.com.

Disclaimer: Remember, these posts are for education and discussion. If your child is sick and you think they require medical attention, take them to their pediatrician or local emergency department.

As promised, my friend Jordyn Redwood, ER nurse and writer extraordinaire is going to be posting common medical Q & A’s on my blog twice every month. I’m superexcited about this and think it will not only be a ton of fun but it will also be really informative. So, a huge thank you to Jordyn! And, if you want to know more about her, Jordyn is not only a novelist with a book coming out from Kregel in a few months, but she’s also a blogger who writes a superfun blog called “Redwood’s Medical Edge” where she discusses now novelists approach medical issues in their books. Check it out here.

What is Influenza?

Most often when patient’s sign in with a complaint of “flu” they are really having vomiting and/or diarrhea. Flu has become a commonplace term for just not feeling well.

If this is the concern you have in bringing your child to the ER they likely have gastroenteritis which is generally caused by a viral infection of the intestinal tract. Your child should be seen in the emergency department for concern for dehydration, if any blood is noted, or if they are vomiting bright yellow or green– and this was not caused from them eating a pile of yellow or green crayons.

How do we know you don’t have the flu? Like RSV, flu is a seasonal illness. It comes out to play in late fall and early winter. This is why flu shots are given around September, October and November.

Fine. But it is that time of year. The second reason we know it’s likely gastroenteritis is that flu is a respiratory illness… not an intestinal one.

Influenza is transmitted through droplets by coughing and sneezing. Typical associated symptoms are high fever (generally 102 and up), generalized muscle aches, fatigue and cough. You just don’t feel good at all.

In children, what can happen is what we term post- tussive emesis. This is when the child coughs so hard that they trigger their gag reflex and vomit. It’s more a mechanical issue than a viral one.

Do I need to go to the ER?

Not necessarily.

Fever can be managed with appropriate dosing of acetaminophen and ibuprofen. Remember that ibuprofen should not be given to children less than six months and no aspirin for children under 21 unless specifically prescribed by your doctor.
Lots of fluids. Don’t worry too much if they’re not eating but they must drink. Don’t just give water—particularly to infants. If you have an H2O lover at home at least alternate water with something that has sugar and electrolytes. This can be Pedialyte or equivalent for children under 2 years and sports drinks for kids over 2. Juices are good but if you are concerned about the sugar content you can cut it in half with an unflavored Pedialyte.

Indications for the emergency department would be signs of respiratory distress or dehydration.

For more information about influenza, check out these resources:
1. http://www.facesofinfluenza.com/en/influenza-symptoms/
2. http://www.cdc.gov/flu/about/disease/spread.htm
3. http://www.cdc.gov/flu/

Are you getting your flu shot this year?

Jordyn Redwood has served the pediatric population and their families for many years. She has five years of experience in the pediatric ICU and ten years of pediatric ER nursing which is the area she currently works. Jordyn also teaches CPR and advanced resuscitation courses.

Jordyn is also a suspense author. Her novel, Lilly’s Ashes, will be published by Kregel in the Spring of 2012. She also hosts a medical blog for authors which you can find at www.jordynredwood.com.

Disclaimer: Remember, these posts are for education and discussion. If your child is sick and you think they require medical attention, take them to their pediatrician or local emergency department.

As promised, my friend Jordyn Redwood, ER nurse and writer extraordinaire is going to be posting common medical Q & A’s on my blog twice every month. I’m superexcited about this and think it will not only be a ton of fun but it will also be really informative. So, a huge thank you to Jordyn! And, if you want to know more about her, Jordyn is not only a novelist with a book coming out from Kregel in a few months, but she’s also a blogger who writes a superfun blog called “Redwood’s Medical Edge” where she discusses now novelists approach medical issues in their books. Check it out here.

What is RSV?

It’s soon to be that time of year when we’ll be in “respiratory season”. The time of year many pediatric medical professionals dread because it is when all the respiratory viruses come out to play and our patient volumes increase. And you thought just the kindergarten playground could be hectic.

RSV is a virus that causes bronchiolitis. It is most often the causative agent but not the only virus that causes bronchiolits. 

RSV stands for respiratory syncytial virus. It has a confined season that lasts approximately 20 weeks and starts in late fall/early winter and lasts until spring.

The concern with RSV is that it is easily transmitted through the air by coughing and sneezing and through touch. Someone coughs into their hands and then touches another on the face would be an example of its transmission. Unfortunately, the RSV virus can live on surfaces and clothing for several hours. The best way to prevent its transmission is with good hand washing.

RSV typically starts with a low grade fever of 101-102 and typical upper respiratory cold-like symptoms of runny nose and cough. The big downside is that it causes inflammation and increased mucous production in the smaller airways. The effects of the virus on the smaller airways can lead to lower oxygen levels and respiratory distress in a child. Young infants are more apt to develop respiratory distress.

But how can you tell if your child is having difficulty breathing and needs medical attention?

1. They are breathing fast. Count their breathing over a period of one minute. One breath is in and out. Infants should be breathing less than 60 times per minutes. Older children should be less than 40.

2. You see retractions. Retractions are when skin is sucked in during breathing. It may be pulled in between the ribs, above the sternum, above the collar bones, and below the rib cage. The more evident the skin tugging is, the more difficulty they are having. Retractions are a sign the child is using additional muscles to help them breathe. Their belly may bob up and down as well.

3. You hear extra noises when they are breathing. They might be musical, barky like a seal, or high pitched like when the top of a balloon is squeezed and the air escapes through a smaller passage.

4. They have color changes. Their skin is pale or blue.

5. They are not interested in eating or drinking or are having difficulty eating and drinking. Children, particularly babies, that are having trouble will begin to pull of the breast/bottle to take breaths. Young baby’s breathe just through their nose, so if it’s clogged with secretions, they can’t breathe and nurse at the same time.

The more symptoms the baby has, the more significant their difficulty breathing. If you see signs such as these, you should have your child checked by their pediatrician or local emergency department.

To read more about RSV, check out these resources:

1. http://kidshealth.org/parent/infections/lung/rsv.html
2. http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/respiratory-syncytial-virus/DS00414
3. http://www.webmd.com/lung/tc/respiratory-syncytial-virus-rsv-infection-topic-overview

What questions do you have about RSV?

 

Jordyn Redwood has served the pediatric population and their families for many years. She has five years of experience in the pediatric ICU and ten years of pediatric ER nursing which is the area she currently works. Jordyn also teaches CPR and advanced resuscitation courses.

Jordyn is also a suspense author. Her novel, Lilly’s Ashes, will be published by Kregel in the Spring of 2012. She also hosts a medical blog for authors which you can find at www.jordynredwood.com.

Disclaimer: Remember, these posts are for education and discussion. If your child is sick and you think they require medical attention, take them to their pediatrician or local emergency department.

As promised, my friend Jordyn Redwood, ER nurse and writer extraordinaire is going to be posting common medical Q & A’s on my blog twice every month. I’m superexcited about this and think it will not only be a ton of fun but it will also be really informative. So, a huge thank you to Jordyn! And, if you want to know more about her, Jordyn is not only a novelist with a book coming out from Kregel in a few months, but she’s also a blogger who writes a superfun blog called “Redwood’s Medical Edge” where she discusses now novelists approach medical issues in their books. Check it out here.

Three Toys that Can Present a Danger for your Child

We all want our children to have fun, right? Often times that means purchasing toys. As a pediatric ER nurse, there are some toys my children will not have and some that they do have but that I have to watch very cautiously.  I’m not telling you not to buy these items. This is a personal decision for your family. However, if you have these items in your house, then extra caution is needed.

1.  Trampolines:  Few pediatric ER nurses will let their children have trampolines. We just see too many injuries associated with their use. The trouble is your child doesn’t even have to come off the trampoline to get an injury. I’ve seen lower leg and ankle fractures just from landing wrong on the surface. If you choose to have a trampoline, consider doing these things. One child at a time policy. Injuries tend to increase when there are multiple kids jumping at one time. Make sure the mat and springs are in good working order. Just watch America’s Funniest Home Videos to see how often they come apart.

2.  Baby pool or above the ground pool: Simply, these are a danger for drowning. Children should never be left unattended near any body of water. It’s not unusual for drowning incidents to happen, particularly during summer holiday get-togethers, because the adults are talking with one another and no one is really watching the swimmers.

This became evident to me one July 4^th gathering. The family had a large, blue, inflatable above ground pool. They had a children’s slide rigged up to it as a “water slide”. There were about fifteen kids in this small pool.

You know right where I parked myself. And, I was the only adult there.

My oldest daughter, who was about three at the time, slid down the pool into the water. When she hit the bottom, her feet couldn’t get enough traction to stand up. She begins to flop around. I can see she’s in trouble. I reach in to hoist her back on her feet.

Now, there were much older kids in that pool with her. Not one child stepped in to help or recognized that she was in trouble. Issue is… it is not their responsibility to do this. Point being, do not trust older children to be “lifeguards” unless they actually work as one.

3.  Magnets: These are the “balls and sticks” that you can clink together to make geometric shapes. I’ll be the first to confess, these are pretty cool toys and we do have them in our house. An adult needs to observe children playing with them, particularly if there are younger children in the home.

The problem ensues if more than one is swallowed. What can happen is that they will attract to one another inside the intestines and trap tissue between them. Intestinal tissue that becomes trapped can lose its blood supply and die. A hole can also be created. These are both very bad things. So, just close observation when children are playing with these items.

Are there toys you consider dangerous that you will not let your children have?

Jordyn Redwood has served the pediatric population and their families for many years. She has five years of experience in the pediatric ICU and ten years of pediatric ER nursing which is the area she currently works. Jordyn also teaches CPR and advanced resuscitation courses.

Jordyn is also a suspense author. Her novel, Lilly’s Ashes, will be published by Kregel in the Spring of 2012. She also hosts a medical blog for authors which you can find at www.jordynredwood.com.

Disclaimer: Remember, these posts are for education and discussion. If your child is sick and you think they require medical attention, take them to their pediatrician or local emergency department.