Pediatric Respiratory: Final Exam (Comprehensive) -
Questions with Correct Answers
100 questions
1. Newborn hearing screening is important because:
A. Hearing loss cannot be treated
B. All hearing loss is caused by otitis media
C. Early detection and intervention before 6 months improves language outcomes
D. Screening replaces later hearing checks
Correct Answer: C. Early detection and intervention before 6 months improves language
outcomes
Rationale: Identifying hearing loss early allows hearing aids or other help during the key period
for language development. Hearing loss can be treated, has many causes, and later screening is
still needed for acquired loss.
2. To reduce ear pain from pressure changes during an airplane descent, parents of an infant
can:
A. Keep the infant asleep and lying flat
B. Place cotton in the ears
C. Breastfeed or offer a bottle or pacifier so swallowing opens the eustachian tubes
D. Give an antibiotic before the flight
Correct Answer: C. Breastfeed or offer a bottle or pacifier so swallowing opens the eustachian
tubes
Rationale: Sucking and swallowing open the eustachian tubes and equalize middle ear pressure.
A sleeping infant swallows less, cotton does not equalize pressure, and antibiotics have no role.
,3. Uninflated or broken latex balloons are dangerous for young children because they:
A. Contain toxic gas
B. Can conform to and completely seal the airway if inhaled
C. Cause asthma
D. Are easily seen on x-ray
Correct Answer: B. Can conform to and completely seal the airway if inhaled
Rationale: Balloon pieces mold to the airway and are very difficult to dislodge, making them a
leading cause of choking deaths among toys. They do not contain toxic gas, are not a primary
asthma trigger, and are not radio-opaque.
4. After a child with croup receives nebulized epinephrine, the nurse should observe the child for
at least:
A. 10 minutes
B. 30 minutes
C. 2 to 4 hours, because symptoms can return as the drug wears off
D. No time; the child can go home at once
Correct Answer: C. 2 to 4 hours, because symptoms can return as the drug wears off
Rationale: Epinephrine's effect fades in about 2 hours, and stridor may return, so children are
observed before discharge. Shorter observation may miss rebound symptoms.
5. Bronchiolitis most commonly affects children:
A. Younger than 2 years, with peak severe illness at about 2 to 6 months
B. Aged 10 to 14 years
C. Over 18 years
D. Only newborns in the first week
Correct Answer: A. Younger than 2 years, with peak severe illness at about 2 to 6 months
Rationale: Small bronchioles in young infants are easily blocked by inflammation and mucus, so
severe disease peaks in early infancy. Older children usually have milder upper respiratory
symptoms with RSV.
,6. Severe RSV illness in older adults and infants shares the risk that both groups:
A. Are completely protected after one infection
B. Can require hospitalization for lower respiratory infection
C. Never need oxygen
D. Only develop ear infections
Correct Answer: B. Can require hospitalization for lower respiratory infection
Rationale: RSV causes serious lower respiratory disease at both ends of life. Reinfection is
common, oxygen may be needed, and illness is not limited to ear infections.
7. Influenza vaccination is recommended annually for children starting at age:
A. 6 months
B. Birth
C. 2 years
D. 5 years
Correct Answer: A. 6 months
Rationale: Children 6 months and older should receive annual influenza vaccine. Infants under 6
months cannot be vaccinated, so household members and pregnant people are vaccinated to
protect them.
8. A 9-year-old with gradual cough, headache, low-grade fever and diffuse findings is diagnosed
with atypical pneumonia. The antibiotic of choice is:
A. Amoxicillin
B. A macrolide such as azithromycin
C. Penicillin G
D. Cephalexin
Correct Answer: B. A macrolide such as azithromycin
Rationale: Mycoplasma lacks a cell wall, so beta-lactams such as amoxicillin, penicillin and
cephalexin are ineffective, while macrolides are effective.
, 9. The chest drainage unit of a child with a chest tube should be kept:
A. Above the level of the chest
B. On its side
C. Upright and below the level of the chest
D. Clamped at all times
Correct Answer: C. Upright and below the level of the chest
Rationale: Keeping the unit upright and below the chest prevents backflow and allows gravity
drainage. Raising it or tipping it causes reflux or loss of the seal, and routine clamping can cause
tension pneumothorax.
10. Strong odors such as perfumes, cleaning products and paint fumes can trigger asthma
because they:
A. Irritate hyperresponsive airways
B. Contain pollen
C. Cause bacterial infection
D. Raise oxygen levels
Correct Answer: A. Irritate hyperresponsive airways
Rationale: Irritants provoke bronchoconstriction in sensitive airways even without allergy. They
do not contain pollen, cause infection or increase oxygen.
11. Allergy testing in a child with persistent asthma is useful to:
A. Diagnose asthma by itself
B. Replace inhaled medications
C. Identify specific allergens so exposure can be reduced
D. Rule out infection
Correct Answer: C. Identify specific allergens so exposure can be reduced
Rationale: Knowing a child's sensitization guides targeted environmental control and possible
immunotherapy. Allergy tests do not diagnose asthma, replace medication or rule out infection.
Questions with Correct Answers
100 questions
1. Newborn hearing screening is important because:
A. Hearing loss cannot be treated
B. All hearing loss is caused by otitis media
C. Early detection and intervention before 6 months improves language outcomes
D. Screening replaces later hearing checks
Correct Answer: C. Early detection and intervention before 6 months improves language
outcomes
Rationale: Identifying hearing loss early allows hearing aids or other help during the key period
for language development. Hearing loss can be treated, has many causes, and later screening is
still needed for acquired loss.
2. To reduce ear pain from pressure changes during an airplane descent, parents of an infant
can:
A. Keep the infant asleep and lying flat
B. Place cotton in the ears
C. Breastfeed or offer a bottle or pacifier so swallowing opens the eustachian tubes
D. Give an antibiotic before the flight
Correct Answer: C. Breastfeed or offer a bottle or pacifier so swallowing opens the eustachian
tubes
Rationale: Sucking and swallowing open the eustachian tubes and equalize middle ear pressure.
A sleeping infant swallows less, cotton does not equalize pressure, and antibiotics have no role.
,3. Uninflated or broken latex balloons are dangerous for young children because they:
A. Contain toxic gas
B. Can conform to and completely seal the airway if inhaled
C. Cause asthma
D. Are easily seen on x-ray
Correct Answer: B. Can conform to and completely seal the airway if inhaled
Rationale: Balloon pieces mold to the airway and are very difficult to dislodge, making them a
leading cause of choking deaths among toys. They do not contain toxic gas, are not a primary
asthma trigger, and are not radio-opaque.
4. After a child with croup receives nebulized epinephrine, the nurse should observe the child for
at least:
A. 10 minutes
B. 30 minutes
C. 2 to 4 hours, because symptoms can return as the drug wears off
D. No time; the child can go home at once
Correct Answer: C. 2 to 4 hours, because symptoms can return as the drug wears off
Rationale: Epinephrine's effect fades in about 2 hours, and stridor may return, so children are
observed before discharge. Shorter observation may miss rebound symptoms.
5. Bronchiolitis most commonly affects children:
A. Younger than 2 years, with peak severe illness at about 2 to 6 months
B. Aged 10 to 14 years
C. Over 18 years
D. Only newborns in the first week
Correct Answer: A. Younger than 2 years, with peak severe illness at about 2 to 6 months
Rationale: Small bronchioles in young infants are easily blocked by inflammation and mucus, so
severe disease peaks in early infancy. Older children usually have milder upper respiratory
symptoms with RSV.
,6. Severe RSV illness in older adults and infants shares the risk that both groups:
A. Are completely protected after one infection
B. Can require hospitalization for lower respiratory infection
C. Never need oxygen
D. Only develop ear infections
Correct Answer: B. Can require hospitalization for lower respiratory infection
Rationale: RSV causes serious lower respiratory disease at both ends of life. Reinfection is
common, oxygen may be needed, and illness is not limited to ear infections.
7. Influenza vaccination is recommended annually for children starting at age:
A. 6 months
B. Birth
C. 2 years
D. 5 years
Correct Answer: A. 6 months
Rationale: Children 6 months and older should receive annual influenza vaccine. Infants under 6
months cannot be vaccinated, so household members and pregnant people are vaccinated to
protect them.
8. A 9-year-old with gradual cough, headache, low-grade fever and diffuse findings is diagnosed
with atypical pneumonia. The antibiotic of choice is:
A. Amoxicillin
B. A macrolide such as azithromycin
C. Penicillin G
D. Cephalexin
Correct Answer: B. A macrolide such as azithromycin
Rationale: Mycoplasma lacks a cell wall, so beta-lactams such as amoxicillin, penicillin and
cephalexin are ineffective, while macrolides are effective.
, 9. The chest drainage unit of a child with a chest tube should be kept:
A. Above the level of the chest
B. On its side
C. Upright and below the level of the chest
D. Clamped at all times
Correct Answer: C. Upright and below the level of the chest
Rationale: Keeping the unit upright and below the chest prevents backflow and allows gravity
drainage. Raising it or tipping it causes reflux or loss of the seal, and routine clamping can cause
tension pneumothorax.
10. Strong odors such as perfumes, cleaning products and paint fumes can trigger asthma
because they:
A. Irritate hyperresponsive airways
B. Contain pollen
C. Cause bacterial infection
D. Raise oxygen levels
Correct Answer: A. Irritate hyperresponsive airways
Rationale: Irritants provoke bronchoconstriction in sensitive airways even without allergy. They
do not contain pollen, cause infection or increase oxygen.
11. Allergy testing in a child with persistent asthma is useful to:
A. Diagnose asthma by itself
B. Replace inhaled medications
C. Identify specific allergens so exposure can be reduced
D. Rule out infection
Correct Answer: C. Identify specific allergens so exposure can be reduced
Rationale: Knowing a child's sensitization guides targeted environmental control and possible
immunotherapy. Allergy tests do not diagnose asthma, replace medication or rule out infection.
