You are by the side of a 2-year-old whose mother states he has had a cough for the past three days. His airway is patent and respirations labored. Intercostal retractions are accompanied by stridorous respirations. His skin is warm to hot and vital signs are as follows: pulse 152, respirations 28, SpO₂ 97%, and temperature 100.3°F. Breath sounds are clear and equal. Based on this presentation, you would suspect and treat the patient for:

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The presentation is classic for croup, which is a viral infection that affects the upper respiratory tract and can cause narrowing of the airway leading to stridor and respiratory distress. Treatment typically involves humidified oxygen and corticosteroids to reduce inflammation of the airway. Antibiotics are not typically indicated as the condition is viral in nature. Asthma would typically present with wheezing, while bronchiolitis would have crackles or wheezing and typically affect infants. Foreign body airway obstruction would have a sudden onset and typically present with choking or coughing.

You Are by the Side of a 2-Year-Old Whose Mother