A nurse is assessing a 2-year-old child with croup.
The child's mother states that the child has had a barking cough for 2 days, which is worse at night.
The child also has a fever and is hoarse.
Which of the following statements by the nurse is most appropriate?
"This sounds like croup.
"Croup is a serious condition.
"There's nothing we can do for croup.
"Croup is caused by a bacterial infection.
m going to give your child some antibiotics.”..
The Correct Answer is A
The nurse should assess the child's vital signs and listen to his lungs.
Choice A rationale:
Assessing vital signs, including heart rate, respiratory rate, oxygen saturation, and temperature, is essential in evaluating the child's overall condition and the severity of respiratory distress.
Listening to the child's lungs can help identify abnormal breath sounds, such as stridor or wheezing, which are common in croup.
This information guides further interventions and helps determine the appropriate level of care.
Choice B rationale:
While croup can cause respiratory distress, not every case requires an emergency room visit.
The severity of symptoms, including the child's ability to breathe and oxygenate, should guide the decision to seek emergency care.
In this scenario, assessing vital signs and lung sounds is the initial appropriate action.
Choice C rationale:
Croup is a treatable condition, and there are specific interventions, such as providing humidified air and corticosteroids, that can alleviate symptoms and prevent complications.
It is incorrect to tell the parent that there is nothing that can be done for croup.
Medical intervention can significantly improve the child's condition.
Choice D rationale:
Croup is primarily caused by viral infections, not bacterial infections.
Administering antibiotics without confirming a bacterial infection is inappropriate and contributes to antibiotic resistance.
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Correct Answer is C
Explanation
Choice A rationale:
While giving the child plenty of water and juice is important for hydration, this statement does not address the specific management of croup symptoms.
Choice B rationale:
Running a hot shower and letting the child sit in the bathroom can create a steamy environment, but it is not the most effective way to provide humidified air.
A cool mist humidifier is a more controlled and efficient method for delivering humidified air to the child.
Choice C rationale:
This is The correct answer.
Using a cool mist humidifier in the child's bedroom is an appropriate way to provide humidified air, which can help ease breathing difficulties associated with croup.
Cool mist humidifiers add moisture to the air without heating it, making it easier for the child to breathe and reducing throat irritation.
Choice D rationale:
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.
Correct Answer is ["A","B","C","E"]
Explanation
Choice A rationale:
Administering oxygen therapy is essential in cases of severe croup where the child has difficulty breathing.
Oxygen therapy helps ensure adequate oxygenation, which is crucial in managing respiratory distress.
Choice B rationale:
Positioning the child upright facilitates breathing by allowing the airways to remain open and reducing airway obstruction.
This position helps alleviate symptoms like stridor and allows the child to breathe more comfortably.
Choice C rationale:
Providing humidified air helps loosen secretions and makes it easier for the child to breathe.
Humidification can reduce airway irritation and soothe the inflamed throat, providing relief from croup symptoms.
Choice D rationale:
This choice is incorrect because encouraging the child to drink plenty of fluids is generally good advice for any illness but is not specific to croup.
While it is essential to keep the child hydrated, it is not a direct nursing intervention for managing croup symptoms.
Choice E rationale:
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.
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