Croup
Croup ( 13 Questions)
A 2-year-old boy is brought to the emergency department with a barking cough, hoarseness, and inspiratory stridor.
His parents report that he has been sick for 2 days and that his symptoms have been getting worse.
The boy's vital signs are as follows: temperature 102°F (38.9°C), heart rate 120 beats/minute, respiratory rate 28 breaths/minute, and oxygen saturation 95% on room air.
Physical examination reveals a well-developed, well-nourished boy in moderate respiratory distress.
He is using accessory muscles of respiration and has intercostal retractions.
His lungs are clear to auscultation.
Which of the following statements by the nurse is most appropriate?
Croup typically presents with a barking cough, hoarseness, and inspiratory stridor, which are caused by inflammation of the larynx, trachea, and bronchi. This choice is incorrect.
The patient's symptoms, including inspiratory stridor, hoarseness, and rapid deterioration, are indicative of epiglottitis, a serious bacterial infection that can cause airway obstruction. It is a medical emergency requiring urgent intervention. This choice is correct.
Asthma is characterized by chronic inflammation and narrowing of the airways, leading to symptoms such as wheezing and shortness of breath. The absence of wheezing in this patient makes this choice incorrect.
Pneumonia can cause fever, cough, and shortness of breath, but it usually presents with focal findings on lung examination, such as crackles or decreased breath sounds. The absence of these findings in this patient makes this choice incorrect.
Choice A rationale:
Croup typically presents with a barking cough, hoarseness, and inspiratory stridor, which are caused by inflammation of the larynx, trachea, and bronchi.
This choice is incorrect.
Choice B rationale:
The patient's symptoms, including inspiratory stridor, hoarseness, and rapid deterioration, are indicative of epiglottitis, a serious bacterial infection that can cause airway obstruction.
It is a medical emergency requiring urgent intervention.
This choice is correct.
Choice C rationale:
Asthma is characterized by chronic inflammation and narrowing of the airways, leading to symptoms such as wheezing and shortness of breath.
The absence of wheezing in this patient makes this choice incorrect.
Choice D rationale:
Pneumonia can cause fever, cough, and shortness of breath, but it usually presents with focal findings on lung examination, such as crackles or decreased breath sounds.
The absence of these findings in this patient makes this choice incorrect.