Final answer:
The child with difficulty breathing and wheezing may be experiencing an asthma exacerbation, managed with a short-acting beta-agonist. RDS treatment in premature infants includes CPAP, surfactant therapy, and possible mechanical ventilation.
Step-by-step explanation:
A child presenting with increased breathing difficulty and expiratory wheezing, able to speak in phrases, and with an SpO2 of 94% is likely experiencing an asthma exacerbation. The management includes administering a short-acting beta-agonist (such as albuterol) via an inhaler or nebulizer, which is the first-line treatment. If the child's symptoms do not improve with initial treatment or if the child is in severe distress, further medical attention in a hospital setting may be necessary, including the possibility of systemic corticosteroids.
For children presenting with Respiratory Distress Syndrome (RDS), which primarily occurs in premature infants, the treatment may include application of CPAP, administration of pulmonary surfactant, supplemental oxygen, and potentially mechanical ventilation to support the infant until their lungs can properly mature. Medical advances such as the introduction of pulmonary surfactant therapy have reduced the death rate from RDS by 50%.