A 3-year-old male was brought into the emergency room this morning with a sudden onset of “fast and noisy breathing”. What other symptoms is the nurse likely to note in a child diagnosed with epiglottitis?
High-pitched wheezing
Thick, muffled voice
Purulent nasal discharge
Productive cough
Dyspnea
The Correct Answer is B
The correct answer is choice B: Thick, muffled voice.
Choice B rationale: A thick, muffled voice is a characteristic symptom of epiglottitis. The inflammation and swelling of the epiglottis cause an obstruction in the airway, leading to changes in the child's voice quality.
Choice A rationale: High-pitched wheezing is typically associated with conditions affecting the lower airways, such as asthma or bronchiolitis. Epiglottitis primarily affects the upper airway, causing stridor (a high-pitched, harsh sound during inhalation) rather than wheezing.
Choice C rationale: Purulent nasal discharge is not a typical symptom of epiglottitis. Epiglottitis usually presents with minimal or no secretions, while purulent discharge is more commonly seen in bacterial infections like sinusitis or pneumonia.
Choice D rationale: A productive cough is not a common symptom of epiglottitis. Coughing is associated with conditions affecting the lower respiratory tract, such as bronchitis or pneumonia. Epiglottitis primarily affects the upper airway, causing difficulty breathing and a characteristic "thick, muffled voice."
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
Choice A rationale
Purulent secretions are not typically associated with epiglottitis. Epiglottitis is an inflammation and swelling of the epiglottis and does not usually produce purulent secretions.
Choice B rationale
While a child with epiglottitis may appear anxious due to difficulty breathing, apprehension is not a specific symptom of epiglottitis.
Choice C rationale
A thick, muffled voice is a common symptom of epiglottitis. The inflammation and swelling of the epiglottis can affect the child’s voice, making it sound thick and muffled.
Choice D rationale
Wheezing is not typically a symptom of epiglottitis. While breathing difficulties are common in epiglottitis, they are usually due to the swelling of the epiglottis rather than constriction of the airways, which causes wheezing.
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
Choice A rationale
While multiple gestation can cause an increase in maternal serum alpha-fetoprotein (MS-AFP) levels, it is not the most likely cause of an elevated MS-AFP level at 17 weeks.
Choice B rationale
Fetal hypoxia, or lack of oxygen to the fetus, is not typically associated with an increase in MSAFP levels.
Choice C rationale
Down syndrome is typically associated with lower, not higher, levels of MS-AFP891011.
Choice D rationale
An elevated level of MS-AFP at 17 weeks is most commonly associated with a neural tube defect. Neural tube defects are birth defects of the brain, spine, or spinal cord that occur during the first month of pregnancy.
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