You are assessing a 6-year-old girl with possible pneumonia. She has labored breathing and a fever of 102°F. When you are assessing and classifying her respiratory status, which of the following signs would provide the strongest evidence that she is in decompensated or late respiratory failure?

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Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Altered mental status is a late sign of respiratory failure and indicates that the body is not receiving enough oxygen. The other signs (respiratory rate of 36, fever of 102°F, nasal flaring) may indicate respiratory distress, but they do not provide as strong evidence of decompensation or late respiratory failure.

You Are Assessing a 6-Year-Old Girl with Possible Pneumonia