Which type of croup is always considered a medical emergency?
Laryngotracheobronchitis (LTB).
Spasmodic croup.
Laryngitis.
Epiglottitis.
The Correct Answer is D
The correct answer is choice D. Epiglottitis.
Choice A rationale:
Laryngotracheobronchitis (LTB) is a viral infection commonly known as "croup." While it can cause airway inflammation and respiratory distress, it is usually not considered a medical emergency. LTB is characterized by barking cough, stridor, and hoarseness. It typically responds well to supportive care, humidity, and sometimes oral corticosteroids.
Choice B rationale:
Spasmodic croup is another type of viral croup, often triggered by allergies or irritants. It is characterized by sudden onset of symptoms, usually at night, including stridor and a barking cough. While it can be distressing, it is generally not considered a medical emergency. It usually responds to humidity and sometimes oral corticosteroids.
Choice C rationale:
Laryngitis involves inflammation of the larynx and is often caused by viral infections or excessive voice use. While it can lead to hoarseness and voice changes, it does not typically cause severe respiratory distress and is not considered a medical emergency. Resting the voice and staying hydrated are common interventions.
Choice D rationale:
Epiglottitis is a potentially life-threatening condition that causes inflammation of the epiglottis, a flap of tissue that prevents food from entering the windpipe during swallowing. It can rapidly progress to airway obstruction and respiratory failure. Children with epiglottitis often assume a "tripod" position, leaning forward to maintain an open airway. Immediate medical intervention, including securing the airway and administering antibiotics, is crucial.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
The correct answer is choice A: Rotavirus.
Choice A rationale:
Rotavirus is a viral pathogen that frequently causes acute diarrhea in young children. It is highly contagious and is responsible for a significant portion of severe diarrhea cases worldwide. Rotavirus infections are most common in infants and young children, and they can lead to dehydration, especially in developing countries where access to clean water and proper sanitation might be limited.

Choice B rationale:
Salmonella organisms can cause food poisoning and gastrointestinal infections that lead to diarrhea. However, they are more commonly associated with bacterial infections rather than viral-induced acute diarrhea.
Choice C rationale:
Shigella organisms are also bacterial pathogens that cause diarrhea, specifically bacillary dysentery. While they can cause severe diarrhea, they are not the viral pathogen typically responsible for acute diarrhea in young children.
Choice D rationale:
Giardia organisms are parasites that can cause gastrointestinal infections leading to diarrhea. However, they are not viruses, and they are less commonly associated with acute diarrhea in children compared to rotavirus.
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
The correct answer is choice C. Dyspnea.
Choice A rationale:
Orthopnea. Orthopnea refers to difficulty in breathing that occurs when lying flat. It is not the term used to describe labored breathing, which is the main concern in this question.
Choice B rationale:
Hypopnea. Hypopnea is a term used to describe shallow or slow breathing, usually during sleep. It is not the term used to describe the labored breathing mentioned in the question.
Choice C rationale:
Dyspnea. This is the correct term to describe labored breathing, which is characterized by a subjective sensation of discomfort or difficulty in breathing. In this context, the nurse is charting that the hospitalized child has labored breathing, indicating the need for further assessment and intervention to address this breathing difficulty.
Choice D rationale:
Tachypnea. Tachypnea refers to abnormally fast breathing. While it is a concern, especially in the context of a hospitalized child, it does not specifically describe labored breathing, which is the main focus of this question.
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