A nurse is caring for a child with croup.
The child's respiratory status is worsening, and they are becoming increasingly agitated.
What action should the nurse take?

Continue to monitor the child's respiratory status.

Administer oxygen therapy as needed.

Prepare to administer nebulized epinephrine.

Notify the physician immediately.

Answer and Explanation

The Correct Answer is C

Choice A rationale:

Continuing to monitor the child's respiratory status may not be the best action in this situation, as the child's respiratory status is worsening and they are becoming increasingly agitated.

Immediate intervention is required to alleviate the child's distress.

Choice B rationale:

Administering oxygen therapy as needed is a supportive measure in respiratory distress situations, but in the case of severe croup with worsening respiratory status and agitation, nebulized epinephrine is the treatment of choice to reduce airway inflammation and improve breathing.

Choice C rationale:

Nebulized epinephrine is the primary treatment for severe croup as it helps reduce upper airway edema, relieve stridor, and improve respiratory distress.

It acts by causing vasoconstriction, which reduces swelling in the upper airway, making breathing easier for the child.

Therefore, preparing to administer nebulized epinephrine is the most appropriate action in this situation.

Choice D rationale:

Notifying the physician immediately is essential, but immediate intervention to improve the child's respiratory distress is also necessary.

Nebulized epinephrine should be administered promptly to alleviate the child's symptoms and prevent further deterioration.

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Correct Answer is C

Explanation

The nurse should assess the degree of airway obstruction to determine the severity of respiratory distress.

Choice A rationale:

Assessing the child's height and weight is important for overall health assessment but does not specifically determine the severity of respiratory distress in croup.

Respiratory distress is primarily evaluated by assessing airway patency, effort of breathing, and oxygenation.

Choice B rationale:

The child's vaccination history is crucial for preventing certain infectious diseases, but it does not directly assess the severity of respiratory distress in croup.

Croup is commonly caused by viral infections such as parainfluenza viruses.

Choice C rationale:

Assessing the degree of airway obstruction is essential in determining the severity of respiratory distress in croup.

Children with croup often present with stridor, a high-pitched sound heard during inspiration, indicating partial airway obstruction.

The severity of stridor, along with signs of increased work of breathing, provides valuable information about the child's respiratory status.

Choice D rationale:

The child's social activities are not directly related to the assessment of respiratory distress in croup.

While social history is important in a comprehensive nursing assessment, it does not provide specific information about the severity of airway obstruction in croup.

A. Administer oxygen therapy as needed. B. Position the child upright to facilitate breathing. C. Provide humidified air to help loosen secretions. D. Encourage the child to drink plenty of fluids to prevent dehydration. E. Monitor the child's respiratory status closely.

Correct Answer is ["A","B","C","E"]

Explanation

Choice A rationale:

Administering oxygen therapy is essential in cases of severe croup where the child has difficulty breathing.

Oxygen therapy helps ensure adequate oxygenation, which is crucial in managing respiratory distress.

Choice B rationale:

Positioning the child upright facilitates breathing by allowing the airways to remain open and reducing airway obstruction.

This position helps alleviate symptoms like stridor and allows the child to breathe more comfortably.

Choice C rationale:

Providing humidified air helps loosen secretions and makes it easier for the child to breathe.

Humidification can reduce airway irritation and soothe the inflamed throat, providing relief from croup symptoms.

Choice D rationale:

This choice is incorrect because encouraging the child to drink plenty of fluids is generally good advice for any illness but is not specific to croup.

While it is essential to keep the child hydrated, it is not a direct nursing intervention for managing croup symptoms.

Choice E rationale:

Monitoring the child's respiratory status closely is crucial in assessing the effectiveness of the interventions and identifying any signs of respiratory distress.

Close monitoring allows nurses to make timely decisions and take appropriate actions to maintain the child's respiratory function.

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A nurse is caring for a child with croup.The child's respiratory status is worsening, and they are becoming increasingly agitated.What action should the nurse take?

Nursing Test Bank

Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams

A nurse is performing a nursing assessment of a child with croup.What should the nurse assess to determine the severity of respiratory distress?

Correct Answer is C

Explanation

Select all that apply.Which of the following are nursing interventions for a child with croup?

Correct Answer is ["A","B","C","E"]

Explanation

A nurse is caring for a child with croup.The child's respiratory status is worsening, and they are becoming increasingly agitated.What action should the nurse take?

A nurse is educating a parent about the prevention of croup.Which of the following statements should the nurse include in the teaching?

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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?

A nurse is educating parents of a child with croup about the signs and symptoms.Which clinical manifestations should the nurse include in the teaching? Select all that apply.

A nurse is caring for a child with croup and needs to implement nursing interventions.What interventions are appropriate for a child with croup? Select all that apply.

A nurse is teaching the parents of a child with croup about home care management.The nurse explains that it is important to keep the child hydrated and to provide humidified air.Which of the following statements by the parent indicates that they understand the nurse's instructions?

A nurse is caring for a child with croup.
The child's respiratory status is worsening, and they are becoming increasingly agitated.
What action should the nurse take?