A 1-year-old child with respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) has been admitted to the pediatric unit. The nurse observes that the child has a fever, rhinorrhea, frequent coughing, and sneezing.
Which additional finding should alert the nurse that the child is in acute respiratory distress?
Flaring of the nares.
Bilateral bronchial breath sounds.
Diaphragmatic respirations.
A resting respiratory rate of 35 breaths/min.
The Correct Answer is A
Flaring of the nares is a sign of increased respiratory effort, which is a manifestation of acute respiratory distress. This finding occurs when the child is attempting to draw in more air to meet the increased demand for oxygen.
Bilateral bronchial breath sounds can indicate consolidation or a bronchial obstruction, but they are not specific to acute respiratory distress.
Diaphragmatic respirations are a normal finding and may occur in response to respiratory distress, but they do not necessarily indicate acute respiratory distress.
A resting respiratory rate of 35 breaths/min is within the normal range for a 1-year-old child and does not necessarily indicate acute respiratory distress.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
Hypoparathyroidism is a disorder in which the parathyroid glands produce insufficient amounts of parathyroid hormone, which regulates calcium and phosphorus levels in the body. In hypoparathyroidism, there is a decreased level of calcium in the blood, which can result in carpal spasm or tetany when pressure is applied to the upper arm.
Therefore, the nurse should review the child's calcium level (D) to determine if it is within the normal range. Low calcium levels can cause muscle spasms, seizures, and cardiac arrhythmias. Hypocalcemia may also result in other symptoms such as numbness, tingling, and muscle cramps.
Potassium (A), chloride (B), and sodium (C) are electrolytes that play important roles in various physiological processes in the body, but they are not directly related to the development of carpal spasm in a child with hypoparathyroidism. While hypokalemia (low potassium) or hyponatremia (low sodium) can cause muscle weakness or cramps, these conditions are not typically associated with carpal spasm in hypoparathyroidism.
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
The nurse should prepare the mother for a sweat-chloride test to screen for cystic fibrosis (CF). A sweat- chloride test measures the amount of chloride in the sweat and is used to diagnose CF. CF is a genetic disorder that can cause the body to produce thick, sticky mucus that can clog the lungs and pancreas. One of the symptoms of CF is salty-tasting skin due to an increased amount of salt in the sweat. The other options (B, C, and D) are not standard diagnostic tests for screening for CF.
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