Final answer:
1. true Yes, one should consider the possibility of a pneumothorax in a baby with persistent or sudden severe respiratory distress; this can occur when an infant is born prematurely and lacks sufficient pulmonary surfactant, leading to difficulties with lung inflation and potential lung collapse.
Step-by-step explanation:
It is true that one should consider the possibility of a pneumothorax in a baby who fails to improve despite resuscitative measures or if a baby suddenly develops severe respiratory distress. When an infant is born prematurely before type II cells produce sufficient pulmonary surfactant, it can lead to difficulty inflating the lungs and respiratory distress syndrome (RDS). RDS is a condition where the lungs cannot properly inflate, leading to low blood oxygen levels and other respiratory complications.Medical advancements help treat RDS by providing interventions like resuscitation, intubation, ventilation, and administration of pulmonary surfactant.
However, if these measures fail to improve the infant's condition or if severe respiratory distress suddenly arises, it could indicate a spontaneous pneumothorax, which is a collapsed lung often related to connective tissue abnormalities. This condition can be life-threatening and requires immediate medical attention. Respiratory Distress Syndrome (RDS) primarily occurs in infants born prematurely. It results from insufficient production of pulmonary surfactant, which prevents the proper inflation of the lungs at birth. This means that a baby may have difficulty inflating the lungs if born prematurely before the type II cells produce sufficient surfactant.