The nurse is providing care to an infant in the emergency department. Upon assessment, the infant is noted to have to be experiencing tachypnea, wheezing, retractions, and nasal flaring. The infant is irritability and the parents state the infant has had poor fluid intake for two days. Pulse ox reading is currently at 85 percent on room air. The infant's blood gas is pending. Which diagnosis does the nurse anticipate for this infant?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The infant is presenting with classic signs and symptoms of bronchiolitis, including tachypnea, wheezing, retractions, nasal flaring, and irritability. The low pulse ox reading and poor fluid intake also support this diagnosis. Bronchitis may present with similar symptoms, but typically affects older children and adults. Pneumonia may also present similarly, but typically presents with a fever and productive cough. Active pulmonary tuberculosis is unlikely in an infant and typically presents with other symptoms such as night sweats, weight loss, and hemoptysis.

The Nurse Is Providing Care to an Infant in the Emergency