,NSG 2530 Exam 2 Pediatric Nursing Care Care Questions And
Answers 2026/2027 South College
Q1. A three-month-old infant develops nasal congestion, cough,
poor feeding, and progressively increased work of breathing.
Assessment reveals a respiratory rate of 68 breaths/minute,
subcostal retractions, and diffuse wheezing. The infant's older
sibling recently experienced a respiratory infection. Which diagnosis
is most likely?
A) Acute epiglottitis
B) Bacterial tracheitis
C) Bronchiolitis
D) Foreign-body aspiration
Correct Answer: C) Bronchiolitis
Rationale: Bronchiolitis is a viral infection affecting the small airways,
commonly caused by respiratory syncytial virus. Infants often develop upper
respiratory symptoms followed by tachypnea, wheezing, crackles,
retractions, and feeding difficulties. Management is primarily supportive, with
attention to oxygenation, hydration, and respiratory effort.
Q2. A five-month-old infant is hospitalized with bronchiolitis.
Oxygen saturation remains at 96% on room air, but the infant has
significant nasal congestion and difficulty breastfeeding. Which
nursing intervention is most appropriate?
A) Perform gentle nasal suctioning when needed, particularly before feeding,
and monitor hydration and respiratory status.
B) Administer routine intravenous antibiotics.
C) Begin scheduled corticosteroids for every episode of bronchiolitis.
D) Encourage prolonged periods without feeding.
Correct Answer: A) Perform gentle nasal suctioning when needed, particularly
before feeding, and monitor hydration and respiratory status.
Rationale: Infants primarily breathe through their noses, so congestion can
interfere with feeding. Gentle superficial suctioning may improve comfort
and milk intake. Routine antibiotics, corticosteroids, and bronchodilators are
not recommended for uncomplicated bronchiolitis.
,Q3. A two-month-old infant with bronchiolitis becomes increasingly
lethargic. Respiratory rate decreases from 72 to 24 breaths/minute
despite worsening retractions, and oxygen saturation falls to 82%.
Which interpretation is most appropriate?
A) The infant's respiratory condition is improving.
B) The infant is transitioning into normal sleep.
C) The infant no longer requires respiratory monitoring.
D) The findings suggest respiratory muscle fatigue and impending
respiratory failure.
Correct Answer: D) The findings suggest respiratory muscle fatigue and
impending respiratory failure.
Rationale: A falling respiratory rate in a previously tachypneic infant may
indicate exhaustion rather than recovery, especially when accompanied by
lethargy, persistent retractions, and hypoxemia. Immediate airway
assessment, respiratory support, and emergency escalation are required.
Q4. A two-year-old child develops a barking cough, hoarse voice,
and inspiratory stridor that becomes more noticeable at night. The
child has a low-grade fever and mild respiratory distress. Which
diagnosis is most consistent with these findings?
A) Acute bacterial meningitis
B) Viral croup
C) Pulmonary edema
D) Acute bronchiolitis
Correct Answer: B) Viral croup
Rationale: Viral croup causes inflammation and narrowing of the upper
airway, particularly the subglottic region. Its characteristic manifestations
include barking cough, hoarseness, and inspiratory stridor. Treatment
depends on severity and may include corticosteroids and nebulized
epinephrine.
Q5. A three-year-old child with croup develops stridor at rest,
moderate chest retractions, and increasing agitation. Which
medication should the nurse anticipate for rapid, temporary
improvement in upper airway obstruction?
, A) Oral amoxicillin
B) Inhaled insulin
C) Nebulized epinephrine
D) Intravenous furosemide
Correct Answer: C) Nebulized epinephrine
Rationale: Nebulized epinephrine produces alpha-adrenergic
vasoconstriction, reducing subglottic mucosal swelling and improving airway
obstruction. Its effect is temporary, so the child requires observation for
recurrence of symptoms. Corticosteroids provide more sustained anti-
inflammatory benefit.
Q6. A four-year-old child with moderate viral croup receives a
prescribed dose of dexamethasone. Which therapeutic effect should
the nurse expect?
A) Reduced upper airway inflammation and edema over the following hours
B) Immediate elimination of all respiratory secretions
C) Direct killing of the causative virus
D) Permanent dilation of the lower bronchioles
Correct Answer: A) Reduced upper airway inflammation and edema over the
following hours
Rationale: Dexamethasone reduces airway inflammation and edema,
improving croup symptoms and decreasing the likelihood of further
healthcare intervention. It is beneficial across different severities of croup.
Nebulized epinephrine may also be required when significant stridor occurs
at rest.
Q7. A five-year-old child develops sudden high fever, severe sore
throat, drooling, muffled voice, and respiratory distress. The child
sits leaning forward with the chin extended. Which nursing action
takes priority?
A) Examine the throat forcefully with a tongue depressor.
B) Place the child supine for a complete examination.
C) Encourage the child to drink water.
Answers 2026/2027 South College
Q1. A three-month-old infant develops nasal congestion, cough,
poor feeding, and progressively increased work of breathing.
Assessment reveals a respiratory rate of 68 breaths/minute,
subcostal retractions, and diffuse wheezing. The infant's older
sibling recently experienced a respiratory infection. Which diagnosis
is most likely?
A) Acute epiglottitis
B) Bacterial tracheitis
C) Bronchiolitis
D) Foreign-body aspiration
Correct Answer: C) Bronchiolitis
Rationale: Bronchiolitis is a viral infection affecting the small airways,
commonly caused by respiratory syncytial virus. Infants often develop upper
respiratory symptoms followed by tachypnea, wheezing, crackles,
retractions, and feeding difficulties. Management is primarily supportive, with
attention to oxygenation, hydration, and respiratory effort.
Q2. A five-month-old infant is hospitalized with bronchiolitis.
Oxygen saturation remains at 96% on room air, but the infant has
significant nasal congestion and difficulty breastfeeding. Which
nursing intervention is most appropriate?
A) Perform gentle nasal suctioning when needed, particularly before feeding,
and monitor hydration and respiratory status.
B) Administer routine intravenous antibiotics.
C) Begin scheduled corticosteroids for every episode of bronchiolitis.
D) Encourage prolonged periods without feeding.
Correct Answer: A) Perform gentle nasal suctioning when needed, particularly
before feeding, and monitor hydration and respiratory status.
Rationale: Infants primarily breathe through their noses, so congestion can
interfere with feeding. Gentle superficial suctioning may improve comfort
and milk intake. Routine antibiotics, corticosteroids, and bronchodilators are
not recommended for uncomplicated bronchiolitis.
,Q3. A two-month-old infant with bronchiolitis becomes increasingly
lethargic. Respiratory rate decreases from 72 to 24 breaths/minute
despite worsening retractions, and oxygen saturation falls to 82%.
Which interpretation is most appropriate?
A) The infant's respiratory condition is improving.
B) The infant is transitioning into normal sleep.
C) The infant no longer requires respiratory monitoring.
D) The findings suggest respiratory muscle fatigue and impending
respiratory failure.
Correct Answer: D) The findings suggest respiratory muscle fatigue and
impending respiratory failure.
Rationale: A falling respiratory rate in a previously tachypneic infant may
indicate exhaustion rather than recovery, especially when accompanied by
lethargy, persistent retractions, and hypoxemia. Immediate airway
assessment, respiratory support, and emergency escalation are required.
Q4. A two-year-old child develops a barking cough, hoarse voice,
and inspiratory stridor that becomes more noticeable at night. The
child has a low-grade fever and mild respiratory distress. Which
diagnosis is most consistent with these findings?
A) Acute bacterial meningitis
B) Viral croup
C) Pulmonary edema
D) Acute bronchiolitis
Correct Answer: B) Viral croup
Rationale: Viral croup causes inflammation and narrowing of the upper
airway, particularly the subglottic region. Its characteristic manifestations
include barking cough, hoarseness, and inspiratory stridor. Treatment
depends on severity and may include corticosteroids and nebulized
epinephrine.
Q5. A three-year-old child with croup develops stridor at rest,
moderate chest retractions, and increasing agitation. Which
medication should the nurse anticipate for rapid, temporary
improvement in upper airway obstruction?
, A) Oral amoxicillin
B) Inhaled insulin
C) Nebulized epinephrine
D) Intravenous furosemide
Correct Answer: C) Nebulized epinephrine
Rationale: Nebulized epinephrine produces alpha-adrenergic
vasoconstriction, reducing subglottic mucosal swelling and improving airway
obstruction. Its effect is temporary, so the child requires observation for
recurrence of symptoms. Corticosteroids provide more sustained anti-
inflammatory benefit.
Q6. A four-year-old child with moderate viral croup receives a
prescribed dose of dexamethasone. Which therapeutic effect should
the nurse expect?
A) Reduced upper airway inflammation and edema over the following hours
B) Immediate elimination of all respiratory secretions
C) Direct killing of the causative virus
D) Permanent dilation of the lower bronchioles
Correct Answer: A) Reduced upper airway inflammation and edema over the
following hours
Rationale: Dexamethasone reduces airway inflammation and edema,
improving croup symptoms and decreasing the likelihood of further
healthcare intervention. It is beneficial across different severities of croup.
Nebulized epinephrine may also be required when significant stridor occurs
at rest.
Q7. A five-year-old child develops sudden high fever, severe sore
throat, drooling, muffled voice, and respiratory distress. The child
sits leaning forward with the chin extended. Which nursing action
takes priority?
A) Examine the throat forcefully with a tongue depressor.
B) Place the child supine for a complete examination.
C) Encourage the child to drink water.
