UF Nursing Respiratory Case Study: Persistent Cough |
Clinical Reasoning, Assessment & NCLEX-Style Questions
2026/2027 update
Pediatric Respiratory Assessment: Persistent Cough
Original Nursing Case Study & Clinical Reasoning Practice
Course focus: Health Assessment / Pediatric Nursing
Case type: Focused respiratory assessment
Difficulty: Moderate
Purpose: Practice subjective assessment, objective assessment, clinical reasoning, nursing
priorities, patient education, and care planning.
Educational note: This is an original practice case created for study purposes. It is not an actual
Shadow Health assignment, transcript, answer key, or proprietary course material.
Case Presentation
Patient: Marcus Lee
Age: 9 years
Setting: School health office
Marcus is a 9-year-old student who visits the school nurse complaining of a cough that has
continued for approximately five days.
His teacher reports that Marcus has been coughing frequently during class and appeared less
energetic than usual. Marcus says that the cough is worse at night and that he has occasionally
noticed clear mucus.
His mother reports that he has not had a measured fever but says he "hasn't seemed like
himself" for the past several days.
Marcus has no known chronic medical conditions.
Initial Assessment
1
, General appearance
Marcus is alert and cooperative. He appears mildly fatigued but is able to speak in complete
sentences. He is sitting upright and does not appear to be in acute distress.
Initial vital signs
• Temperature: 37.4°C (99.3°F)
• Heart rate: 96 beats/min
• Respiratory rate: 22 breaths/min
• Blood pressure: 104/68 mmHg
• Oxygen saturation: 97% on room air
Part I — Subjective Assessment
As the nurse, obtain additional information before determining the likely cause of the cough.
Questions for the patient
1. When did the cough begin?
2. Has the cough become better, worse, or stayed the same?
3. Is the cough dry or productive?
4. What color is the mucus?
5. Does anything make the cough worse?
6. Does anything make it better?
7. Does the cough wake you during the night?
8. Have you experienced shortness of breath?
9. Have you experienced chest pain or tightness?
10. Have you had a sore throat?
11. Have you had a runny or stuffy nose?
12. Have you experienced wheezing?
13. Have you had a fever or chills?
2
Clinical Reasoning, Assessment & NCLEX-Style Questions
2026/2027 update
Pediatric Respiratory Assessment: Persistent Cough
Original Nursing Case Study & Clinical Reasoning Practice
Course focus: Health Assessment / Pediatric Nursing
Case type: Focused respiratory assessment
Difficulty: Moderate
Purpose: Practice subjective assessment, objective assessment, clinical reasoning, nursing
priorities, patient education, and care planning.
Educational note: This is an original practice case created for study purposes. It is not an actual
Shadow Health assignment, transcript, answer key, or proprietary course material.
Case Presentation
Patient: Marcus Lee
Age: 9 years
Setting: School health office
Marcus is a 9-year-old student who visits the school nurse complaining of a cough that has
continued for approximately five days.
His teacher reports that Marcus has been coughing frequently during class and appeared less
energetic than usual. Marcus says that the cough is worse at night and that he has occasionally
noticed clear mucus.
His mother reports that he has not had a measured fever but says he "hasn't seemed like
himself" for the past several days.
Marcus has no known chronic medical conditions.
Initial Assessment
1
, General appearance
Marcus is alert and cooperative. He appears mildly fatigued but is able to speak in complete
sentences. He is sitting upright and does not appear to be in acute distress.
Initial vital signs
• Temperature: 37.4°C (99.3°F)
• Heart rate: 96 beats/min
• Respiratory rate: 22 breaths/min
• Blood pressure: 104/68 mmHg
• Oxygen saturation: 97% on room air
Part I — Subjective Assessment
As the nurse, obtain additional information before determining the likely cause of the cough.
Questions for the patient
1. When did the cough begin?
2. Has the cough become better, worse, or stayed the same?
3. Is the cough dry or productive?
4. What color is the mucus?
5. Does anything make the cough worse?
6. Does anything make it better?
7. Does the cough wake you during the night?
8. Have you experienced shortness of breath?
9. Have you experienced chest pain or tightness?
10. Have you had a sore throat?
11. Have you had a runny or stuffy nose?
12. Have you experienced wheezing?
13. Have you had a fever or chills?
2
