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

The child's height and weight.

The child's vaccination history.

The degree of airway obstruction.

The child's social activities.

Answer and Explanation

The Correct Answer is C

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.

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

Explanation

Choice A rationale:

High fever is not a typical symptom of croup.

Croup is often caused by viral infections, and high fever is more commonly associated with bacterial infections.

This choice is incorrect.

Choice B rationale:

Inspiratory stridor is a classic symptom of croup and is caused by the narrowing of the larynx and trachea, leading to a high-pitched sound during inspiration.

This choice is correct.

Choice C rationale:

A barking cough is a distinctive symptom of croup and is caused by inflammation of the larynx and trachea.

This choice is correct.

Choice D rationale:

Wheezing is not a typical symptom of croup.

Wheezing is more commonly associated with conditions like asthma, where there is narrowing of the smaller airways (bronchioles).

This choice is incorrect.

Choice E rationale:

Respiratory distress, indicated by increased work of breathing, is a common symptom of croup.

It can manifest as the use of accessory muscles, intercostal retractions, and nasal flaring.

This choice is correct.

A. "Croup is a common viral infection of the upper respiratory tract that causes inflammation of the larynx.”.. B. "Croup is most common in children under the age of 3.”.. C. "The symptoms of croup usually appear at night.”.. D. "The classic croup cough is described as a barking cough.”.. E. "Croup can be treated with over-the-counter medications, such as cough syrup and expectorants.”..

Correct Answer is ["A","D"]

Explanation

Choice A rationale:

Croup is indeed a common viral infection of the upper respiratory tract that causes inflammation of the larynx.

This statement is accurate and important for the parent to understand the nature of the illness.

Choice B rationale:

Croup is most common in children under the age of 5, not just under the age of 3.

However, this statement is not entirely accurate, as older children can also be affected by croup.

It is essential to provide correct information to the parent.

Choice C rationale:

The symptoms of croup often worsen at night due to the natural narrowing of the airways during sleep, making breathing more difficult.

Therefore, this statement is correct and relevant to include in the teaching.

Choice D rationale:

The classic croup cough is indeed described as a barking cough, which results from the inflammation of the larynx and trachea.

This description helps the parent recognize a distinctive symptom of croup.

Including this information in the teaching is appropriate.

Choice E rationale:

Croup is primarily managed with supportive care, such as humidified air and nebulized medications.

Over-the-counter cough syrup and expectorants are not typically recommended for treating croup in children.

This statement is incorrect and should not be included in the teaching.

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

Nursing Test Bank

Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams

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.

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

Explanation

A nurse is teaching a parent about the signs and symptoms of croup.Which of the following statements should the nurse include in the teaching?Select all that apply.

Correct Answer is ["A","D"]

Explanation

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?

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

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

A nurse is caring for a child with croup in the hospital.The child is receiving humidified air and nebulized racemic epinephrine.The nurse monitors the child's respiratory status closely.Which of the following findings would indicate to the nurse that the child's condition is worsening?

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