A nurse is caring for a child with cystic fibrosis (CF) and is assessing the child's respiratory status.
Which of the following findings should the nurse consider as a common respiratory complication of CF?

Choice A rationale:

Monitoring the child's blood sugar levels is not relevant to a child with cystic fibrosis experiencing recurrent respiratory infections.

Cystic fibrosis primarily affects the respiratory and digestive systems, and blood sugar levels are not a significant concern in this context.

Choice B rationale:

Assessing the child's dental hygiene practices is important for overall health, but it is not the most relevant assessment in the case of a child with cystic fibrosis and recurrent respiratory infections.

The primary focus should be on the respiratory system.

Choice D rationale:

Observing for signs of gastrointestinal obstructions is an essential part of caring for a child with cystic fibrosis, but in the context of recurrent respiratory infections, evaluating lung sounds and respiratory rate is the most critical assessment.

Gastrointestinal issues are important but secondary to the respiratory concerns in this case.

Choice A rationale:

Increased lung compliance is not a common respiratory complication of cystic fibrosis (CF).

CF is characterized by the production of thick and sticky mucus in the airways, which leads to decreased lung compliance.

This thick mucus obstructs the airways, making it difficult for the child to breathe.

Choice B rationale:

Decreased breath sounds are a common respiratory complication of CF.

The thick and sticky mucus produced in CF can block the airways, leading to decreased breath sounds upon auscultation.

This can result in impaired air movement and reduced ventilation in affected areas of the lungs.

Choice C rationale:

Normal oxygen saturation is not typically a common respiratory complication of CF.

CF often leads to decreased oxygen saturation due to the impaired lung function caused by mucus buildup and recurrent infections.

Choice D rationale:

Clear and thin sputum production is not a common finding in CF.

CF is associated with the production of thick and sticky mucus, leading to productive cough with thick, tenacious sputum.