Your child has been admitted to Doernbecher for
Bronchiolitis
When can you go home?
Before leaving the hospital, your child will need to do these things:
□ Clearly be getting better, which often doesn’t happen before the 5th day of illness
□ Drink well enough to stay hydrated without IV fluids
□ Stay off extra oxygen
□ Manage secretions (snot) without our wall suction machine
□ Have 2 “mild” breathing scores in a row
What is bronchiolitis?
Your child has been diagnosed with an infection called bronchiolitis. This is an upper airway and lung infection
that is caused by many different viruses. It is very common in winter. The most common cause of bronchiolitis
is RSV, Respiratory Syncytial Virus. Adults and older children who get these viruses often just have colds.
Children can get very ill because the virus blocks the nose and small airways with mucous. Since a virus causes
bronchiolitis, antibiotics do not help.
What can we do for a child with bronchiolitis?
1. We can suck out their nose. It helps the most right before feeding.
2. We can give them oxygen, if their oxygen levels are low.
3. We can give IV fluids to children who are not drinking enough
4. In some circumstances, we use drops down their nose to help clear it, or do a trial of breathing
treatments. However, these interventions are not routinely beneficial to most children.
What is going to happen?
Bronchiolitis usually gets worse for the first 3-5 days, and then gets better on its own. We will be monitoring
your child’s breathing with a scoring tool. The score will indicate whether your child’s work of breathing is
mild, moderate, or severe. Some children need oxygen and suctioning for many days. It can be very frustrating
when your child has bronchiolitis because we don’t have a good medicine for it. We just have to let it run its
course and help your child along the way.
Why do we wear yellow gowns?
Staff will be wearing gloves, gowns, and masks so we do not give the infection to others. Since parents and
siblings can also have the virus, please do not use the playroom or other gathering places during your stay.
References
Tresler, J. (2002). The Child with a Respiratory Alteration. In James, S., Ashwill, J., & Droske, S., Nursing Care of
Children: Principles & Practice (pp. 621-687). Philadelphia: WB Saunders Company.
Potter, P. & Perry, A. (2005). Fundamentals of Nursing. St. Louis: Mosby.