,NURS 307 Exam 2 Pediatric Nursing Questions And Answers
2026/2027 West Coast University
Q1. A 2-year-old child has a barking cough, hoarseness, and inspiratory
stridor. Which condition should the nurse suspect?
A. Bronchiolitis
B. Croup
C. Epiglottitis
D. Asthma
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Croup commonly causes a barking cough, hoarseness, and
inspiratory stridor because of upper-airway inflammation.
Q2. Which child with croup requires the most immediate assessment?
A. Child with a barking cough and no stridor at rest
B. Child with mild hoarseness
C. Child with stridor at rest and increasing respiratory effort
D. Child with a low-grade fever and good oral intake
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Stridor at rest with increasing respiratory effort indicates
worsening upper-airway obstruction and requires prompt intervention.
Q3. Which intervention is appropriate for a child with mild croup?
A. Provide humidified air according to facility practice and encourage fluids.
B. Inspect the throat with a tongue blade repeatedly.
C. Force the child to lie flat.
D. Encourage vigorous exercise.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Mild croup is managed with supportive care, hydration, and
prescribed therapy. Agitation can worsen upper-airway obstruction.
Q4. A child suddenly develops high fever, drooling, dysphagia, muffled voice,
and tripod positioning. Which condition is most likely?
A. Croup
B. Epiglottitis
C. Asthma
D. Bronchiolitis
, Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Sudden fever, drooling, dysphagia, muffled voice, and tripod
positioning are classic warning signs of epiglottitis. Current WCU Exam 2
evidence specifically identifies this presentation.
Q5. Which action should the nurse avoid for a child with suspected
epiglottitis?
A. Keeping emergency airway equipment available
B. Allowing the child to remain in a position of comfort
C. Inspecting the throat with a tongue blade
D. Preparing for rapid airway intervention
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Agitating the inflamed epiglottis can precipitate complete airway
obstruction. The throat should not be examined with a tongue blade unless
airway management is immediately controlled.
Q6. Which position is commonly preferred by a child experiencing severe
epiglottitis?
A. Flat supine
B. Tripod position
C. Prone with the face down
D. Trendelenburg
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The tripod position can help maximize airway patency and
respiratory effort.
Q7. Which child is at greatest risk for respiratory compromise from
epiglottitis?
A. Child with mild rhinorrhea
B. Child with drooling and stridor
C. Child with mild sore throat
D. Child with occasional cough
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Drooling and stridor indicate significant upper-airway obstruction
and require emergency assessment.
Q8. Which finding is more characteristic of croup than epiglottitis?
2026/2027 West Coast University
Q1. A 2-year-old child has a barking cough, hoarseness, and inspiratory
stridor. Which condition should the nurse suspect?
A. Bronchiolitis
B. Croup
C. Epiglottitis
D. Asthma
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Croup commonly causes a barking cough, hoarseness, and
inspiratory stridor because of upper-airway inflammation.
Q2. Which child with croup requires the most immediate assessment?
A. Child with a barking cough and no stridor at rest
B. Child with mild hoarseness
C. Child with stridor at rest and increasing respiratory effort
D. Child with a low-grade fever and good oral intake
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Stridor at rest with increasing respiratory effort indicates
worsening upper-airway obstruction and requires prompt intervention.
Q3. Which intervention is appropriate for a child with mild croup?
A. Provide humidified air according to facility practice and encourage fluids.
B. Inspect the throat with a tongue blade repeatedly.
C. Force the child to lie flat.
D. Encourage vigorous exercise.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Mild croup is managed with supportive care, hydration, and
prescribed therapy. Agitation can worsen upper-airway obstruction.
Q4. A child suddenly develops high fever, drooling, dysphagia, muffled voice,
and tripod positioning. Which condition is most likely?
A. Croup
B. Epiglottitis
C. Asthma
D. Bronchiolitis
, Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Sudden fever, drooling, dysphagia, muffled voice, and tripod
positioning are classic warning signs of epiglottitis. Current WCU Exam 2
evidence specifically identifies this presentation.
Q5. Which action should the nurse avoid for a child with suspected
epiglottitis?
A. Keeping emergency airway equipment available
B. Allowing the child to remain in a position of comfort
C. Inspecting the throat with a tongue blade
D. Preparing for rapid airway intervention
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Agitating the inflamed epiglottis can precipitate complete airway
obstruction. The throat should not be examined with a tongue blade unless
airway management is immediately controlled.
Q6. Which position is commonly preferred by a child experiencing severe
epiglottitis?
A. Flat supine
B. Tripod position
C. Prone with the face down
D. Trendelenburg
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The tripod position can help maximize airway patency and
respiratory effort.
Q7. Which child is at greatest risk for respiratory compromise from
epiglottitis?
A. Child with mild rhinorrhea
B. Child with drooling and stridor
C. Child with mild sore throat
D. Child with occasional cough
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Drooling and stridor indicate significant upper-airway obstruction
and require emergency assessment.
Q8. Which finding is more characteristic of croup than epiglottitis?
