The nurse is assessing a child with a diagnosis of pneumonia. The child is taking shallow respirations. Which of the following is the most likely explanation?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Shallow respirations in a child with pneumonia are often an attempt to minimize pain caused by the inflammation of the lungs and pleura. Deep breaths can exacerbate the pain, leading to more shallow breathing patterns.

The Nurse Is Assessing a Child with a Diagnosis of Pneumonia