Practice Question
A nurse in a clinic is assisting with the care of a 3-year-old toddler.
Answer Choices:
Rationale:
A. Type of cough
✅ Consistent with: Acute Laryngotracheobronchitis
🗣️ The child has a "barking, non-productive" cough, which is classic for croup (acute laryngotracheobronchitis).
🗣️ This harsh, seal-like cough results from inflammation and edema of the upper airway, especially the larynx and trachea.
🗣️ In contrast, pneumonia typically presents with a wet, productive cough due to lower respiratory tract involvement and mucus accumulation.
B. Irritability
✅ Consistent with: Both Acute Laryngotracheobronchitis and Pneumonia
😠 Irritability is a non-specific symptom but common in toddlers with any respiratory illness, including croup or pneumonia.
😠 In croup, irritability often increases as airway obstruction worsens, especially at night or when the child tries to breathe deeply.
😠 In pneumonia, irritability may result from fever, malaise, or respiratory discomfort due to lung involvement.
😠 Therefore, this symptom can support both conditions.
C. Fever
✅ Consistent with: Both Acute Laryngotracheobronchitis and Pneumonia
🌡️ A low-grade fever (38.1–38.2°C or ~100.6°F) is common in both illnesses.
🌡️ In croup, fever is usually mild to moderate and may accompany symptoms like hoarseness and stridor.
🌡️ In pneumonia, the fever may be higher, especially in bacterial forms, but low-grade fever can still occur, particularly in viral pneumonia.
🌡️ Since both conditions are typically preceded by a viral infection, fever alone does not distinguish them.
D. Stridor
✅ Consistent with: Acute Laryngotracheobronchitis
🎵 Inspiratory stridor is a hallmark of upper airway obstruction, strongly indicative of croup.
🎵 It occurs when the larynx and trachea are narrowed due to inflammation, creating turbulent airflow during inhalation.
🎵 Stridor is not typically seen in pneumonia, which affects the lower respiratory tract (alveoli) and would present more with crackles, rales, or diminished breath sounds.
🎵 Its presence in this case, along with a barking cough, confirms upper airway involvement consistent with acute laryngotracheobronchitis.
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This question is from ATI LPN Pediatric Nursing~2023 which contains 55 questions.
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Question Details
- Category: LPN Nursing Exam(s)
- Subcategory: LPN ATI Exams
- Domain: Pediatrics
- Answer Choices: 0