Pediatric respiratory failure Exam question
and correct answers (verified answers 100%)
Q&A 2026/2027 INSTANT DOWNLOAD PDF
1. A child with severe respiratory distress is most likely to show which early sign of respiratory
failure?
A. Bradycardia
B. Cyanosis
C. Tachypnea
D. Hypotension
Answer: C. Tachypnea
Rationale: Tachypnea is an early compensatory response to inadequate oxygenation and
ventilation.
2. Which assessment finding suggests impending respiratory failure in a child?
A. Increased activity
B. Bradycardia
C. Mild cough
D. Hyperactivity
Answer: B. Bradycardia
Rationale: Bradycardia is a late and ominous sign indicating severe hypoxia and impending
cardiopulmonary arrest.
3. What is the most common cause of pediatric respiratory failure?
A. Renal failure
B. Respiratory disease
C. Liver disease
D. Diabetes mellitus
Answer: B. Respiratory disease
,Rationale: Respiratory illnesses such as bronchiolitis, pneumonia, and asthma are leading causes
of respiratory failure in children.
4. Which blood gas result indicates respiratory acidosis?
A. pH 7.50, PaCO₂ 30 mmHg
B. pH 7.25, PaCO₂ 55 mmHg
C. pH 7.48, HCO₃ 30 mEq/L
D. pH 7.40, PaCO₂ 40 mmHg
Answer: B. pH 7.25, PaCO₂ 55 mmHg
Rationale: Elevated PaCO₂ with decreased pH indicates respiratory acidosis due to
hypoventilation.
5. Which oxygen saturation level requires immediate intervention in a child with respiratory
distress?
A. 99%
B. 97%
C. 94%
D. 85%
Answer: D. 85%
Rationale: Oxygen saturation below 90% indicates significant hypoxemia requiring urgent
treatment.
6. Which condition commonly causes upper airway obstruction leading to respiratory failure?
A. Croup
B. Nephrotic syndrome
C. Appendicitis
D. Diabetes
Answer: A. Croup
Rationale: Croup causes airway narrowing and obstruction that may progress to respiratory
failure.
, 7. What is the priority intervention for a child with severe respiratory distress?
A. Oral fluids
B. Airway assessment
C. Ambulation
D. Feeding
Answer: B. Airway assessment
Rationale: Airway patency is always the first priority in respiratory emergencies.
8. Which finding indicates increased work of breathing?
A. Retractions
B. Bradycardia
C. Cool extremities
D. Hypertension
Answer: A. Retractions
Rationale: Retractions occur when accessory muscles are used to overcome respiratory difficulty.
9. Which respiratory sound suggests upper airway obstruction?
A. Crackles
B. Wheezes
C. Stridor
D. Rhonchi
Answer: C. Stridor
Rationale: Stridor is a high-pitched sound indicating upper airway narrowing.
10. Which condition is a common cause of lower airway respiratory failure in children?
A. Asthma
B. Migraine
C. Fracture
D. Gastritis
and correct answers (verified answers 100%)
Q&A 2026/2027 INSTANT DOWNLOAD PDF
1. A child with severe respiratory distress is most likely to show which early sign of respiratory
failure?
A. Bradycardia
B. Cyanosis
C. Tachypnea
D. Hypotension
Answer: C. Tachypnea
Rationale: Tachypnea is an early compensatory response to inadequate oxygenation and
ventilation.
2. Which assessment finding suggests impending respiratory failure in a child?
A. Increased activity
B. Bradycardia
C. Mild cough
D. Hyperactivity
Answer: B. Bradycardia
Rationale: Bradycardia is a late and ominous sign indicating severe hypoxia and impending
cardiopulmonary arrest.
3. What is the most common cause of pediatric respiratory failure?
A. Renal failure
B. Respiratory disease
C. Liver disease
D. Diabetes mellitus
Answer: B. Respiratory disease
,Rationale: Respiratory illnesses such as bronchiolitis, pneumonia, and asthma are leading causes
of respiratory failure in children.
4. Which blood gas result indicates respiratory acidosis?
A. pH 7.50, PaCO₂ 30 mmHg
B. pH 7.25, PaCO₂ 55 mmHg
C. pH 7.48, HCO₃ 30 mEq/L
D. pH 7.40, PaCO₂ 40 mmHg
Answer: B. pH 7.25, PaCO₂ 55 mmHg
Rationale: Elevated PaCO₂ with decreased pH indicates respiratory acidosis due to
hypoventilation.
5. Which oxygen saturation level requires immediate intervention in a child with respiratory
distress?
A. 99%
B. 97%
C. 94%
D. 85%
Answer: D. 85%
Rationale: Oxygen saturation below 90% indicates significant hypoxemia requiring urgent
treatment.
6. Which condition commonly causes upper airway obstruction leading to respiratory failure?
A. Croup
B. Nephrotic syndrome
C. Appendicitis
D. Diabetes
Answer: A. Croup
Rationale: Croup causes airway narrowing and obstruction that may progress to respiratory
failure.
, 7. What is the priority intervention for a child with severe respiratory distress?
A. Oral fluids
B. Airway assessment
C. Ambulation
D. Feeding
Answer: B. Airway assessment
Rationale: Airway patency is always the first priority in respiratory emergencies.
8. Which finding indicates increased work of breathing?
A. Retractions
B. Bradycardia
C. Cool extremities
D. Hypertension
Answer: A. Retractions
Rationale: Retractions occur when accessory muscles are used to overcome respiratory difficulty.
9. Which respiratory sound suggests upper airway obstruction?
A. Crackles
B. Wheezes
C. Stridor
D. Rhonchi
Answer: C. Stridor
Rationale: Stridor is a high-pitched sound indicating upper airway narrowing.
10. Which condition is a common cause of lower airway respiratory failure in children?
A. Asthma
B. Migraine
C. Fracture
D. Gastritis
