The nurse is assessing heart rate for children on the pediatric ward. What is a normal finding based on developmental age?

A. TympaniC. Tympanic temperature measurement using an ear thermometer is a convenient and accurate method for assessing temperature in children, including toddlers.

B. Oral: Oral temperature measurement using a digital thermometer placed under the tongue is a commonly used method for children who can cooperate with the procedure and keep the

thermometer in their mouth.

C. Axillary: Axillary temperature measurement using a thermometer placed in the armpit is a non-invasive method suitable for children who cannot cooperate with oral or tympanic

measurements or when rectal measurement is contraindicated.

D. Rectal: Rectal temperature measurement is generally considered the most accurate method for assessing temperature in infants and young children, especially when accuracy is critical.

However, it may be less appropriate in the emergency department setting due to its invasive nature and potential discomfort for the child, especially in cases of diarrhea or vomiting where rectal temperature measurement may be difficult or impractical.

A. Epiglottitis

Epiglottitis typically presents with rapid onset of severe sore throat, high fever, difficulty swallowing, and drooling due to inflammation and swelling of the epiglottis. It is a medical emergency requiring immediate intervention but is less likely to present with the described symptoms.

B. Bronchiolitis

Bronchiolitis commonly occurs in infants and young children, often during the winter months. It is characterized by symptoms such as coughing, wheezing, nasal congestion, fever, and

respiratory distress. The described symptoms, including coughing, nasal congestion, and intermittent fever, align with bronchiolitis.

C. Influenza

Influenza typically presents with symptoms such as fever, cough, sore throat, body aches, and fatigue. While coughing and fever are common symptoms of influenza, the presence of apneic spells is less typical of influenza and more indicative of lower respiratory tract infections like bronchiolitis.

D. Croup

Croup is characterized by a barking cough, hoarseness, and respiratory distress often accompanied by stridor. While croup shares some symptoms with bronchiolitis, such as coughing, the absence of stridor in the description suggests bronchiolitis as a more likely diagnosis.