Which signs are consistent with epiglottitis?
Drooling.
Barking cough.
Muffled voice.
Wheezing.
Tripod position.
Correct Answer : A,C,E
Choice A rationale
Drooling is a hallmark sign of epiglottitis because the severe inflammation and swelling of the epiglottis make swallowing extremely painful. The child is reluctant to swallow their saliva, which pools in the mouth and causes characteristic drooling, indicating a critical impending airway obstruction.
Choice B rationale
A barking cough, often described as a "seal-like" cough, is the classic presentation of croup (laryngotracheobronchitis), which involves subglottic inflammation. Epiglottitis, in contrast, primarily involves supraglottic inflammation, leading to a blocked, or muffled, vocalization rather than the resonant, inspiratory stridor and cough of croup.
Choice C rationale
A muffled or "hot potato" voice is highly suggestive of epiglottitis. The swollen epiglottis and surrounding supraglottic structures impede the air column and vocal cord vibration, altering the quality of speech but allowing air to pass, unlike the near-complete aphonia seen in other laryngeal obstructions.
Choice D rationale
Wheezing is a high-pitched whistling sound typically heard on expiration, caused by the narrowing of the lower airways (bronchi/bronchioles), common in conditions like asthma or bronchiolitis. Epiglottitis is a supraglottic obstruction, manifesting predominantly as inspiratory stridor, not wheezing.
Choice E rationale
The tripod position (sitting upright, leaning forward with the neck hyperextended and chin thrust out) is adopted by children with epiglottitis to maximize the patency of the swollen airway and facilitate breathing. This is a sign of significant respiratory distress and impending airway failure.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is ["A","B","C","D"]
Explanation
Choice A rationale
Viral croup (laryngotracheobronchitis) is characterized by inflammation and edema of the larynx and subglottic trachea. This narrowing causes the distinctive, turbulent airflow sound of inspiratory stridor and the barking, seal-like cough due to vocal cord irritation, making this an accurate match.
Choice B rationale
Asthma is a chronic inflammatory disorder of the airways leading to hyperresponsiveness, reversible airflow obstruction, and bronchoconstriction. The turbulent airflow through multiple narrowed small airways generates the characteristic polyphonic (musical) expiratory wheezing and the accompanying sensation of chest tightness, reflecting increased airway resistance.
Choice C rationale
Epiglottitis is a bacterial infection causing rapid and severe inflammation of the epiglottis. The swollen, cherry-red epiglottis mechanically obstructs the airway and makes swallowing extremely painful, leading to the classic triad of drooling, dysphagia (difficulty swallowing), and a muffled or "hot potato" voice.
Choice D rationale
Bronchiolitis, often caused by Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV), involves inflammation and necrosis of the small airways (bronchioles). This process causes narrowing and mucus production, resulting in wheezing from turbulent airflow and crackles (rales) from the "popping" open of fluid-filled or collapsed alveoli and bronchioles during inspiration.
Correct Answer is ["A","B","D","E"]
Explanation
Choice A rationale
Post-ictal confusion, characterized by a period of disorientation, drowsiness, and potential headache, is a universal feature of the post-seizure state following a generalized tonic-clonic event. This transient neurological deficit reflects the exhaustion and metabolic changes within the cerebral cortex after widespread neuronal depolarization.
Choice B rationale
Sudden loss of consciousness occurs at the onset of a generalized tonic-clonic seizure due to the abrupt, widespread, and bilateral electrical discharge throughout the cortex. This loss of awareness defines the generalized nature of the seizure, distinguishing it from focal seizures where consciousness may be preserved.
Choice C rationale
Rhythmic twitching of one extremity while remaining awake and aware describes a focal motor seizure (simple partial), which involves abnormal electrical activity localized to a specific area of one cerebral hemisphere. A generalized tonic-clonic seizure involves both hemispheres and global loss of consciousness.
Choice D rationale
Urinary incontinence is common during the tonic phase of the seizure due to the intense, generalized muscular contraction, including the pelvic floor muscles. The massive autonomic surge and muscular rigidity overwhelm the sphincter control, leading to involuntary voiding.
Choice E rationale
Rhythmic muscle twitching, known as the clonic phase, consists of alternating periods of muscular contraction and relaxation. This phase follows the rigid, sustained contraction of the tonic phase and is a defining characteristic of a generalized tonic-clonic seizure.
Whether you are a student looking to ace your exams or a practicing nurse seeking to enhance your expertise , our nursing education contents will empower you with the confidence and competence to make a difference in the lives of patients and become a respected leader in the healthcare field.
Visit Naxlex, invest in your future and unlock endless possibilities with our unparalleled nursing education contents today
Report Wrong Answer on the Current Question
Do you disagree with the answer? If yes, what is your expected answer? Explain.
Kindly be descriptive with the issue you are facing.