RN HESI Paediatrics Exam 2
RN HESI Paediatrics Exam 2 ( 53 Questions)
When advising a new mother in caring for a child with croup, which symptom should be a priority concern to the telephone triage nurse?
A fever of 101.0°F (38.3°C) is a common symptom in many childhood illnesses, including croup, but it is not the primary concern when difficulty swallowing secretions is present.
Difficulty swallowing secretions. Croup is characterized by a barking cough and may also be associated with stridor (noisy breathing), hoarseness, and difficulty swallowing secretions. While all the symptoms mentioned can be concerning, difficulty swallowing secretions is a priority concern because it can potentially lead to respiratory distress if not managed appropriately. Thick secretions can cause airway obstruction, and prompt assessment and intervention are needed to ensure the child's airway remains clear and that the child is able to breathe effectively.
A barking cough, worse at night, is a classic symptom of croup and should be addressed, but difficulty swallowing secretions can have a more direct impact on the child's airway.
Crying often when nursing may be related to the discomfort caused by croup, but it is not as immediately concerning as difficulty swallowing secretions.
When advising a new mother in caring for a child with croup, the symptom that should be a priority concern to the telephone triage nurse is B.
Explanation:
A. A fever of 101.0°F (38.3°C) is a common symptom in many childhood illnesses, including croup, but it is not the primary concern when difficulty swallowing secretions is present.
B Difficulty swallowing secretions.
Croup is characterized by a barking cough and may also be associated with stridor (noisy breathing), hoarseness, and difficulty swallowing secretions. While all the symptoms mentioned can be concerning, difficulty swallowing secretions is a priority concern because it can potentially lead to respiratory distress if not managed appropriately. Thick secretions can cause airway obstruction, and prompt assessment and intervention are needed to ensure the child's airway remains clear and that the child is able to breathe effectively.
C. A barking cough, worse at night, is a classic symptom of croup and should be addressed, but difficulty swallowing secretions can have a more direct impact on the child's airway.
D. Crying often when nursing may be related to the discomfort caused by croup, but it is not as immediately concerning as difficulty swallowing secretions.
While the barking cough, hoarseness, and other croup symptoms should also be addressed, the priority is ensuring that the child is able to manage secretions effectively without respiratory distress. The telephone triage nurse should provide guidance to the mother on how to help the child manage these secretions and when to seek medical attention if the situation worsens.