Course 04: Respiratory Medicine and Infectious Disease
Lesson 14 of 14. Explore the diagnostic and management frameworks, work through the case, and finish the linked 10-question practice set. Urgent presentations require an emergency-care pathway and review of local professional scope.
Pediatric respiratory illness
- Bronchiolitis, croup, asthma, pneumonia, foreign-body aspiration and bacterial tracheitis may present with respiratory distress; assess feeding, hydration, age and work of breathing.
- Stridor at rest, severe chest retractions, apnea, grunting, cyanosis, lethargy or inability to drink requires urgent evaluation.
- Bronchiolitis management is usually supportive; routine antibiotics and bronchodilators are not indicated in typical uncomplicated cases without a separate indication.
Pregnancy and immunocompromise
- Pregnancy modifies risk of VTE and certain infections; choose imaging, antimicrobial and antiviral management with obstetric/specialty consultation when necessary.
- Neutropenia, transplant, biologic agents or high-dose steroids raise risk for opportunistic infection; fever and hypoxemia merit prompt assessment.
- Screen for latent TB before relevant immunosuppressive therapy under current protocols, with attention to drug interactions.
Clinical reasoning and disposition
- For each vignette: establish stability, formulate the syndrome, prioritize life threats, choose discriminating tests, begin safe action, communicate disposition and plan follow-up.
- Explain diagnostic uncertainty, likely natural course, antibiotic harms, red flags and timeline for reassessment; use teach-back.
- When patient declines urgent transfer, assess decision-making capacity, document risk discussion and seek safe alternate support without abandonment.
Preventive integration
- Coordinate smoking cessation, vaccination, action plans, safe device technique and social/occupational needs across respiratory conditions.
- Avoid unproven interventions as substitutes for oxygen, indicated medication, infection-control precautions or emergency resuscitation.
- Reassess recommendations against updated guidelines and local scope; this independent course does not confer prescribing or emergency procedural authorization.
Applied clinical case
A 2-year-old has cough, fever, severe retractions, poor intake and blue lips. A caregiver asks whether an over-the-counter cough syrup is enough.
Show model clinical reasoning and disposition
This child has severe respiratory distress and possible hypoxemia: urgent emergency assessment is required, with airway/oxygen support by trained clinicians; OTC cough syrup cannot address the immediate risk.
Clinical self-check
- Which pediatric findings demand emergency referral?
- How does immunosuppression change the differential?
- What should a safe handover include?
Current guidance and further learning
- GINA 2026: Asthma strategy and summary guide (external)
- CDC: Clinical guidance for influenza, SARS-CoV-2 and RSV (external)
- Canadian Tuberculosis Standards, eighth edition (external)