Temperature of 101.8°F (38.8°C)
🟢 Fever is a common finding in pneumonia because the body activates an immune response against infection in the lungs.
🟢 A temperature of 101.8°F (38.8°C) suggests an infectious or inflammatory process rather than a normal respiratory variation.
🟢 In children, fever with respiratory symptoms should raise concern for a lower respiratory tract infection.
🟢 Pneumonia often causes systemic symptoms such as fever, fatigue, chills, and poor appetite.
🟢 This finding becomes more significant when it appears with cough, chest pain, and signs of increased work of breathing.
Pleuritic chest pain
🟢 Pleuritic chest pain occurs when inflammation from pneumonia irritates the pleura surrounding the lungs.
🟢 The pain is usually worse with deep breathing, coughing, or movement because the inflamed pleural surfaces rub together.
🟢 In a child with suspected pneumonia, chest pain supports lung involvement rather than a simple upper respiratory infection.
🟢 This symptom may cause the child to take shallow breaths, which can worsen ventilation and oxygen exchange.
🟢 Reporting pleuritic pain is important because it helps guide assessment of respiratory effort and lung sounds.
Intercostal retractions
🟢 Intercostal retractions indicate increased work of breathing and possible respiratory distress.
🟢 Retractions occur when the child uses accessory muscles to pull air into the lungs because normal breathing is not enough.
🟢 In pneumonia, inflammation, secretions, and reduced alveolar ventilation can make breathing more difficult.
🟢 This finding is clinically important because it may signal worsening respiratory compromise.
🟢 The nurse should continue assessing oxygen saturation, breath sounds, respiratory rate, and overall effort.
Coughing with mucus present
🟢 Coughing with mucus is consistent with pneumonia because infection causes inflammation and increased respiratory secretions.
🟢 Productive cough suggests that the lower airways are involved and the body is trying to clear mucus from the lungs.
🟢 The mucus may be thick, colored, or increased depending on the infection and hydration status.
🟢 In children, persistent cough with fever and abnormal breathing effort is a strong sign of possible pneumonia.
🟢 This finding should prompt careful respiratory assessment, hydration support, and monitoring for worsening symptoms.
Respiratory rate of 20 breaths/min
🟢 A respiratory rate of 20/min is generally within the expected range for a school-age child.
🟢 Pneumonia is more concerning when respirations are increased, labored, or associated with retractions.