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Nursing Assessment of Croup

- The nursing assessment of a child with croup includes:

  • Obtaining a detailed history of the onset, duration, frequency, and severity of symptoms
  • Assessing the child’s respiratory status by observing for signs of distress, such as retractions, nasal flaring, tachypnea, cyanosis, stridor, and wheezes
  • Auscultating the lungs for breath sounds and adventitious sounds
  • Measuring vital signs, including temperature, pulse rate, respiratory rate, blood pressure, and oxygen saturation
  • Evaluating the child’s level of consciousness, behavior, and comfort
  • Inspecting the throat for redness, swelling, or exudate (avoid using tongue depressor in epiglottitis)
  • Asking about any history of allergies, asthma, or exposure to sick contacts

Questions on Nursing Assessment of Croup

Correct Answer is A

Explanation

<p>Pneumonia usually presents with fever, cough producing phlegm, and crackles or wheezes on lung auscultation. The clear lungs on auscultation and the absence of productive cough make pneumonia less likely in this case.</p>

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

Explanation

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.

Correct Answer is C

Explanation

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.

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

Explanation

Encouraging the child to cough loudly is not a recommended intervention for croup. Coughing forcefully may exacerbate airway irritation and inflammation, worsening the child's symptoms. Instead, interventions should focus on reducing airway edema and providing respiratory support.

Correct Answer is A

Explanation

No explanation

Correct Answer is D

Explanation

This is The correct answer. It shows an understanding of the symptoms of croup, particularly the mention of having trouble breathing, which is a sign of severe croup that requires medical attention. Parents should seek emergency medical care if their child experiences difficulty breathing due to croup. Providing this information demonstrates a comprehensive understanding of the condition.

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

Explanation

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.

Giving the child a warm bath may provide some comfort but does not specifically address the need for humidified air, which is crucial in managing croup symptoms. Providing humidified air helps soothe the inflamed airways and reduce respiratory distress associated with croup.

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.

Discharging the child home without appropriate treatment and monitoring would be unsafe, given the child's symptoms and oxygen saturation level. Immediate intervention and observation are required to ensure the child's respiratory status improves.

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.

A child with croup experiencing severe respiratory distress may not be able to speak in complete sentences due to the difficulty in breathing. However, the ability to speak in complete sentences alone may not be a definitive indicator of worsening. Monitoring the respiratory rate and effort is cruci

Using a humidifier in the home can help maintain adequate humidity levels, which may reduce the risk of croup, especially during dry seasons. Proper humidity can prevent irritation of the upper respiratory tract and decrease the likelihood of developing croup. Including this information in the teach
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