A nurse is caring for a toddler who has acute laryngotracheobronchitis and has been placed in a cool mist tent. Which of the following findings indicates that the treatment has been effective?
Barking cough
Decreased stridor
Improved hydration
Decreased temperature
The Correct Answer is B
Choice A: A barking cough is not a finding that indicates that the treatment has been effective, but rather a symptom of acute laryngotracheobronchitis, which is also known as croup. Croup is a condition that causes inflammation and narrowing of the upper airway and produces a characteristic barking or seal-like cough. A barking cough may persist for several days after the onset of croup and does not reflect the severity of the airway obstruction.
Choice B: Decreased stridor is a finding that indicates that the treatment has been effective, as stridor is a sign of airway obstruction caused by acute laryngotracheobronchitis. Stridor is a high-pitched, noisy breathing sound that occurs when the air passes through the narrowed airway. Stridor may be inspiratory, expiratory, or biphasic,
depending on the level of obstruction. Decreased stridor means that the airway is less obstructed and the child can breathe more easily.
Choice C: Improved hydration is not a finding that indicates that the treatment has been effective, but rather a goal of treatment for acute laryngotracheobronchitis. Dehydration can worsen the symptoms and complications of croup by thickening the mucus and increasing the risk of infection. Improved hydration can help thin out the mucus and prevent dehydration. Hydration can be improved by encouraging oral fluids, administering intravenous fluids, or providing humidified air.
Choice D: Decreased temperature is not a finding that indicates that the treatment has been effective, but rather a possible outcome of treatment for acute laryngotracheobronchitis. Fever may or may not be present in croup, depending on the cause and severity of the condition. Fever can be caused by viral or bacterial infection, inflammation, or dehydration. Decreased temperature can indicate that the infection or inflammation is resolving or that the dehydration is corrected.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
Choice A: This statement is correct, as the mother should notify the doctor if the child's temperature is not controlled with acetaminophen, which is an antipyretic and analgesic medication that can lower fever and relieve pain. A high fever can increase the child's metabolic rate and insulin requirements, which can lead to hyperglycemia or ketoacidosis.
Choice B: This statement is incorrect, as the mother should check the child's blood sugar more frequently than two times every day, especially when the child is sick. An upper respiratory infection can cause inflammation and stress hormones, which can increase the child's blood sugar levels and insulin needs. The mother should monitor the child's blood sugar at least four times a day or more often if indicated by symptoms or ketone testing.
Choice C: This statement is correct, as the mother should encourage the child to drink half a cup of water or sugar-free fluids every 30 minutes, which can prevent dehydration and flush out excess glucose and ketones from the body. Dehydration can worsen hyperglycemia and ketoacidosis, which are serious complications of diabetes.
Choice D: This statement is correct, as the mother should report a change in the child's breathing or any signs of confusion, which can indicate respiratory distress or cerebral edema. Respiratory distress can occur due to hypoxia or acidosis, which can impair oxygen delivery and carbon dioxide elimination. Cerebral edema can occur due to fluid shifts or electrolyte imbalances, which can cause increased intracranial pressure and neurological impairment.
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
Choice A: Oliguria is a condition of reduced urine output, which can indicate dehydration, kidney failure, or urinary tract obstruction. It is not associated with a CNS infection, which affects the brain and spinal cord.
Choice B: A negative Brudzinski sign is a normal finding that indicates no meningeal irritation. It is elicited by flexing the neck of a supine patient and observing no involuntary flexion of the hips and knees. A positive Brudzinski sign, on the other hand, is a sign of meningitis, which is a type of CNS infection.
Choice C: A bulging fontanel is an abnormal finding that indicates increased intracranial pressure, which can be caused by a CNS infection, such as meningitis or encephalitis. A fontanel is a soft spot on the skull of an infant that allows for brain growth and development.
Choice D: Jaundice is a condition of yellowing of the skin and eyes, which can indicate liver disease, hemolytic anemia, or neonatal hyperbilirubinemia. It is not associated with a CNS infection, which affects the brain and spinal cord.
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