Practice Question
A nurse is caring for a 2-year-old male toddler in the emergency department.
Answer Choices:
Correct Answer:
Oxygen saturation
Rationale:
✅ C. Oxygen saturation
🫁 Oxygen saturation is one of the most objective indicators of respiratory improvement. Initially, the child had an SpO₂ of 89% on room air, which indicates moderate hypoxemia.
🫁 After initiation of 2 L/min nasal cannula oxygen and nebulized albuterol, an increase in SpO₂ (ideally to ≥94%) would reflect improved alveolar oxygen exchange.
🫁 Improvement in oxygenation shows that bronchodilation, oxygen therapy, and reduced airway resistance are helping the child breathe more effectively.
✅ D. Breath sounds in bilateral bases
🩺 Initially, breath sounds were described as diminished with wheezing, a sign of air trapping and poor ventilation.
🩺 With effective bronchodilator treatment (albuterol), we expect airflow to improve, resulting in more audible breath sounds, especially in the lower lung fields.
🩺 Improved breath sounds suggest that airways are opening, mucus clearance is improving, and lung inflation is more effective.
✅ E. Respiratory rate
🌬️ The toddler’s initial respiratory rate was 42/min, which is significantly elevated (normal for age: ~22–30/min).
🌬️ A decreasing respiratory rate is one of the earliest signs that work of breathing is reducing.
🌬️ This indicates that the child is less tachypneic, has less air hunger, and is not as fatigued from labored breathing.
🌬️ Normalizing respiratory rate suggests clinical improvement and treatment effectiveness.
✅ F. Heart rate
💓 The child’s heart rate was initially 148/min, which is elevated for a toddler, especially in the context of fever, hypoxia, and distress.
💓 With treatment (oxygen, antipyretics, albuterol), a decline in heart rate indicates reduced stress response, improved oxygen delivery, and lower metabolic demand.
💓 While HR may still be slightly elevated due to fever or crying, a downward trend is an important marker of stabilization.
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This question is from RN ATI Paediatrics Nur 223a Section 4 Final Exam which contains 92 questions.
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From Exam
RN ATI Paediatrics Nur 223a Section 4 Final Exam
92 Questions
View Full Exam Start PracticingQuestion Details
- Category: RN Nursing Exam(s)
- Subcategory: ATI Exam(s)
- Domain: RN ATI Pediatrics
- Answer Choices: 6