A nurse is assessing a 2-year-old child with croup.
The child's mother states that the child has had a barking cough for 2 days, which is worse at night.
The child also has a fever and is hoarse.
Which of the following statements by the nurse is most appropriate?

Nursing interventions for a child with croup include providing cool mist humidification, administering bronchodilators, and administering corticosteroids.

Choice A rationale:

Administering antibiotics is not a standard intervention for croup unless there is a secondary bacterial infection present.

Croup is typically caused by viral infections, so antiviral medications might be considered if the cause is identified as a specific virus.

However, antibiotics do not directly address the symptoms of croup.

Choice B rationale:

Providing cool mist humidification is appropriate for a child with croup.

Cool mist helps soothe the inflamed airways and can alleviate respiratory distress by reducing airway edema.

Moist air can make breathing easier for the child.

Choice C rationale:

Administering bronchodilators can be beneficial in the treatment of croup, especially if there is evidence of bronchoconstriction.

Bronchodilators help dilate the airways, making breathing easier for the child.

This intervention can be particularly useful if the child is experiencing wheezing in addition to stridor.

Choice D rationale:

Administering corticosteroids, such as dexamethasone, is a common and evidence-based intervention for croup.

Corticosteroids reduce airway inflammation and edema, leading to symptom improvement.

A single dose of oral corticosteroids is often sufficient to manage croup symptoms effectively.

Choice E rationale:

Encouraging the child to cough loudly is not a recommended intervention for croup.

Coughing forcefully may exacerbate airway irritation and inflammation, worsening the child's symptoms.

Instead, interventions should focus on reducing airway edema and providing respiratory support.

The correct answer is choice A, “Your son has croup.”

Choice A rationale:

The symptoms described, including a barking cough, hoarseness, and inspiratory stridor, are classic signs of croup. Croup is a common respiratory condition in young children that leads to swelling of the larynx and trachea, causing the characteristic cough and stridor.

Choice B rationale:

While epiglottitis can present with respiratory distress, it is more commonly associated with high fever, severe sore throat, drooling, and difficulty swallowing, rather than a barking cough and stridor.

Choice C rationale:

Asthma typically presents with wheezing and difficulty exhaling, not the barking cough and inspiratory stridor seen in croup. Additionally, asthma is often associated with a history of allergies or atopic conditions, which are not mentioned in the scenario.

Choice D rationale:

Pneumonia usually presents with fever, cough producing phlegm, and crackles or wheezes on lung auscultation. The clear lungs on auscultation and the absence of productive cough make pneumonia less likely in this case.

In summary, the presentation of a barking cough, hoarseness, and inspiratory stridor in a young child who is in moderate respiratory distress with a recent onset of symptoms is most indicative of croup. This is supported by the age of the child and the clinical findings, which align with the typical presentation of croup.