Bronchiolitis management includes which of the following as a potential step?

• A. Usually supportive care; oxygen, nasal suctioning, and possible advanced airway
• B. Immediate antibiotics
• C. Dialysis
• D. Lung transplantation

Answer: (A)

Bronchiolitis is typically viral, so management centers on supporting the child’s breathing and hydration rather than giving specific antimicrobial therapy. Oxygen is provided when the child has low blood oxygen to keep saturations adequate. Nasal suctioning helps clear secretions that make breathing harder, which is especially useful in young infants with congested nasal passages. Ensuring adequate fluids is important because poor intake and dehydration are common with a viral illness in infants.

In severe cases, when respiratory distress worsens or there is ongoing hypoxemia despite supportive care, advancing to airway support is necessary. This can involve noninvasive ventilation or, if needed, endotracheal intubation with mechanical ventilation to support breathing.

Antibiotics aren’t routinely used because bronchiolitis is not caused by bacteria; they’re only considered if there is a separate bacterial infection suspected. Dialysis and lung transplantation aren’t part of standard bronchiolitis management.