Chapter 45: Respiratory Dysfunction
MULTIPLE CHOICE
1. What sentence below best describes why children have fewer respiratory tract infections as
they grow older?
a. The amount of lymphoid tissue
decreases.
b. Repeated exposure to organisms
causes increased immunity.
c. Viral organisms are less prevalent in
the population.
d. Secondary infections rarely occur after
viral illnesses.
ANS: B
Children have increased immunity after exposure to a virus. The amount of lymphoid tissue
increases as children grow older. Viral organisms are not less prevalent, but older children have
the ability to resist them. Secondary infections after viral illnesses include Mycoplasma
pneumoniae and groups A and B streptococcal infections.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Comprehension REF: p. 1337
OBJ: Nursing Process: Assessment
2. Why are cool-mist vaporizers rather than steam vaporizers recommended in home treatment
of respiratory tract infections?
, a. They are safer.
b. They are less expensive.
c. Steam dries out respiratory secretions.
d. A more comfortable environment is
produced.
ANS: A
Cool-mist vaporizers are safer than steam vaporizers, and limited evidence exists to support the
idea that there are any advantages to steam. The costs of cool-mist and steam vaporizers are
comparable. Steam loosens secretions, it does not dry them. Both may promote a more
comfortable environment, but there is a decreased risk for burns in cool-mist vaporizers. They
must be disinfected daily.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Comprehension REF: p. 1337
OBJ: Nursing Process: Implementation
3. Decongestant nose drops are recommended for a 10-month-old infant with an upper
respiratory tract infection. Which instruction for nose drops should be included when teaching
the parent?
a. Avoid using drops for more than 3
days.
b. Keep drops to use again for nasal
congestion.
c. Administer drops until nasal
congestion subsides.
d. Administer drops after feedings and at
bedtime.
ANS: A
Vasoconstrictive nose drops such as Neo-Synephrine should not be used for more than 3 days,
to avoid rebound congestion. Drops should be discarded after one illness because they may
become contaminated with bacteria. Administering the drops before feedings is more helpful.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Application REF: p. 1338
OBJ: Nursing Process: Implementation
4. What is the appropriate nursing intervention when caring for an infant with an upper
respiratory tract infection and elevated temperature?
, a. Give tepid water baths to reduce fever.
b. Encourage food intake to maintain
caloric needs.
c. Have the child wear heavy clothing to
prevent chilling.
d. Give small amounts of favourite fluids
frequently to prevent dehydration.
ANS: D
Preventing dehydration using small, frequent feedings is an important intervention in the
febrile child. Tepid water baths may induce shivering, which raises the child’s temperature.
Food should not be forced, as it may result in the child vomiting. The febrile child should be
dressed in light, loose clothing.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Application REF: p. 1340
OBJ: Nursing Process: Implementation
5. When teaching a parent group about respiratory complications, which symptom should be
reported to the health care provider?
a. Becomes fussy
b. Has a cough
c. Has a fever for more than 3 days
d. Shows signs of an earache
MULTIPLE CHOICE
1. What sentence below best describes why children have fewer respiratory tract infections as
they grow older?
a. The amount of lymphoid tissue
decreases.
b. Repeated exposure to organisms
causes increased immunity.
c. Viral organisms are less prevalent in
the population.
d. Secondary infections rarely occur after
viral illnesses.
ANS: B
Children have increased immunity after exposure to a virus. The amount of lymphoid tissue
increases as children grow older. Viral organisms are not less prevalent, but older children have
the ability to resist them. Secondary infections after viral illnesses include Mycoplasma
pneumoniae and groups A and B streptococcal infections.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Comprehension REF: p. 1337
OBJ: Nursing Process: Assessment
2. Why are cool-mist vaporizers rather than steam vaporizers recommended in home treatment
of respiratory tract infections?
, a. They are safer.
b. They are less expensive.
c. Steam dries out respiratory secretions.
d. A more comfortable environment is
produced.
ANS: A
Cool-mist vaporizers are safer than steam vaporizers, and limited evidence exists to support the
idea that there are any advantages to steam. The costs of cool-mist and steam vaporizers are
comparable. Steam loosens secretions, it does not dry them. Both may promote a more
comfortable environment, but there is a decreased risk for burns in cool-mist vaporizers. They
must be disinfected daily.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Comprehension REF: p. 1337
OBJ: Nursing Process: Implementation
3. Decongestant nose drops are recommended for a 10-month-old infant with an upper
respiratory tract infection. Which instruction for nose drops should be included when teaching
the parent?
a. Avoid using drops for more than 3
days.
b. Keep drops to use again for nasal
congestion.
c. Administer drops until nasal
congestion subsides.
d. Administer drops after feedings and at
bedtime.
ANS: A
Vasoconstrictive nose drops such as Neo-Synephrine should not be used for more than 3 days,
to avoid rebound congestion. Drops should be discarded after one illness because they may
become contaminated with bacteria. Administering the drops before feedings is more helpful.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Application REF: p. 1338
OBJ: Nursing Process: Implementation
4. What is the appropriate nursing intervention when caring for an infant with an upper
respiratory tract infection and elevated temperature?
, a. Give tepid water baths to reduce fever.
b. Encourage food intake to maintain
caloric needs.
c. Have the child wear heavy clothing to
prevent chilling.
d. Give small amounts of favourite fluids
frequently to prevent dehydration.
ANS: D
Preventing dehydration using small, frequent feedings is an important intervention in the
febrile child. Tepid water baths may induce shivering, which raises the child’s temperature.
Food should not be forced, as it may result in the child vomiting. The febrile child should be
dressed in light, loose clothing.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Application REF: p. 1340
OBJ: Nursing Process: Implementation
5. When teaching a parent group about respiratory complications, which symptom should be
reported to the health care provider?
a. Becomes fussy
b. Has a cough
c. Has a fever for more than 3 days
d. Shows signs of an earache
