A 3-year-old male was brought into the emergency room this morning with a sudden onset of “fast and noisy breathing”. What other symptoms is the nurse likely to note in a child diagnosed with epiglottitis?
High-pitched wheezing
Thick, muffled voice
Purulent nasal discharge
Productive cough
Dyspnea
The Correct Answer is B
The correct answer is choice B: Thick, muffled voice.
Choice B rationale: A thick, muffled voice is a characteristic symptom of epiglottitis. The inflammation and swelling of the epiglottis cause an obstruction in the airway, leading to changes in the child's voice quality.
Choice A rationale: High-pitched wheezing is typically associated with conditions affecting the lower airways, such as asthma or bronchiolitis. Epiglottitis primarily affects the upper airway, causing stridor (a high-pitched, harsh sound during inhalation) rather than wheezing.
Choice C rationale: Purulent nasal discharge is not a typical symptom of epiglottitis. Epiglottitis usually presents with minimal or no secretions, while purulent discharge is more commonly seen in bacterial infections like sinusitis or pneumonia.
Choice D rationale: A productive cough is not a common symptom of epiglottitis. Coughing is associated with conditions affecting the lower respiratory tract, such as bronchitis or pneumonia. Epiglottitis primarily affects the upper airway, causing difficulty breathing and a characteristic "thick, muffled voice."
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is ["-"]
Explanation
Step 1: The patient’s vital signs are as follows: Temperature 100.4° F (38° C) orally, Heart rate 86 beats/minute, Respiratory rate 16 breaths/minute, Blood pressure 102/12 mm Hg, Pain 4 on a 0 to 10 pain scale.
Step 2: She was assisted to the bathroom where she voided 150 mL of clear yellow urine. Lochia rubra is moderate with small clots, no foul odor noted. The fundus is firm at the umbilicus. The episiotomy edges are well approximated, with no redness, edema, drainage, or ecchymosis. There is no pain, redness, or swelling in the calves.
Step 3: A 1,000 mL bag of lactated Ringer’s solution containing 10 units of oxytocin is infusing via an 18-gauge peripheral IV in the left forearm at 125 mL per hour, with 500 mL remaining in the bag. The IV is patent, without redness or swelling, and can be discontinued when this bag’s infusion is complete.
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
Choice A rationale
Placing a pulse oximeter on the heel of a newborn can help monitor oxygen saturation levels. However, the symptoms described, such as jitteriness, hypotonicity, and a weak cry, are more indicative of hypoglycemia, a condition that would not be detected by a pulse oximeter.
Choice B rationale
Swaddling the infant in a warm blanket can help maintain body temperature, but it does not address the underlying cause of the symptoms, which are suggestive of hypoglycemia.
Choice C rationale
Documenting the findings in the record is an important part of nursing care, but it does not provide immediate intervention for the symptoms observed.
Choice D rationale
Obtaining a heel stick blood glucose level is the appropriate action given the symptoms described. Jitteriness, hypotonicity, and a weak cry can be signs of neonatal hypoglycemia. Prompt diagnosis and treatment are essential to prevent potential complications.
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