A 3-year-old child has the following clinical presentations in the ER:
Profound nasal congestion and productive cough
Chest auscultation revealing diffuse coarse, "sticky" crackles (sounding like Velcro)
Chest radiograph revealing lung hyperinflation with flattened hemidiaphragms
What pulmonary condition does this infant likely have?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Physical findings vary considerably with the patient's age. Infants (younger than 1 year) develop coryza, cough, respiratory distress, wheezing, and tachypnea. The symptoms of infection usually peak at about 48 to 72 hours, and a previously healthy infant can progress from what was thought to be a simple cold to severe respiratory distress during that time. In contrast, the principal symptoms in children older than 2 years of age include profound nasal congestion and productive cough. Chest auscultation reveals diffuse coarse, "sticky" crackles (sounding like Velcro) that may be accompanied by wheezes. A chest radiograph typically reveals intense lung hyperinflation with flattened hemidiaphragms (obstructive), with occasional films showing evidence of collapse or consolidation.

A 3-Year-Old Child Has the Following Clinical Presentations in the ER