The nurse is assessing a child with acute epiglottitis.
Examining the child’s throat by using a tongue depressor might precipitate which symptom or condition?
Inspiratory stridor
Complete obstruction
Sore throat
Respiratory tract infection
The Correct Answer is B
If a child has acute epiglottitis, examination of the throat may cause complete obstruction and should be performed only when immediate intubation can take place.
This is because the inflamed epiglottis can block the airway and cause respiratory distress or failure.
Choice A is wrong because inspiratory stridor is a sign of upper airway obstruction that is aggravated when a child with epiglottitis is supine.
It is not caused by examining the throat with a tongue depressor.
Choice C is wrong because sore throat and pain on swallowing are early signs of epiglottitis, not precipitated by examining the throat with a tongue depressor.
Choice D is wrong because respiratory tract infection is the cause of epiglottitis, not a symptom or condition that is precipitated by examining the throat with a tongue depressor.
Epiglottitis is caused by H. influenzae in the respiratory tract.
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Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
Digoxin is a medication that helps improve the pumping function of the heart and reduces fluid retention in the lungs and other tissues. It is commonly used to treat congestive heart failure in infants.
Choice A is wrong because weighing the infant every day on the same scale at the same time is a way to monitor fluid balance, not an intervention to treat excess fluid volume.
Choice B is wrong because notifying the physician when weight gain exceeds more than 20 g/day is also a monitoring measure, not an intervention. Moreover, weight gain may not accurately reflect fluid volume status in some patients with heart failure due to poor nutrition and decreased appetite.
Choice C is wrong because putting the infant in a car seat to minimize movement may worsen the respiratory distress and increase the workload of the heart. The infant should be positioned in a semi-Fowler’s or Fowler’s position to facilitate breathing and reduce venous return.
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
This is because toddlers continue to have the short, straight internal ear canal of infants.
The lymphoid tissue of the tonsils and adenoids continues to be relatively large. These two anatomic conditions combine to predispose the toddler to frequent infections.
Choice A is wrong because respirations are abdominal. This does not affect the susceptibility to infection.
Choice B is wrong because pulse and respiratory rates are slower than those in infancy. This also does not affect the susceptibility to infection.
Choice C is wrong because defense mechanisms are less efficient than those during
infancy. This is not true, as the defense mechanisms are more efficient compared with those of infancy.
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