Question

Inpatient: Respiratory distress syndrome, 26-day-old baby, temporary tracheostomy completed. What is the condition of the baby?

1) Stable
2) Critical
3) Improving
4) Unknown

Answer 1

The condition of the baby with respiratory distress syndrome and a temporary tracheostomy is most likely 2) critical.

Step-by-step explanation:

Respiratory distress syndrome primarily occurs in infants born prematurely. It is caused by an insufficient production of pulmonary surfactant, which prevents the lungs from properly inflating at birth. This leads to dyspnea and inadequate gas exchange.

Treatment for RDS involves resuscitation, intubation, mechanical ventilation, and the administration of pulmonary surfactant. Supportive therapies may also be provided. Medical advances have improved the ability to treat RDS, but it is still considered a critical condition. Therefore the condition of the 26-day-old baby with respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) and a temporary tracheostomy completed is most likely critical. The correct answer is 2) critical.