NURS 535- Respiratory Disorders Exam
2026 Questions and Answers
A 4-month-old presents to your office in mid-January with a 1-week history of
nasal congestion and occasional cough. On the evening prior to this visit, the infant
developed a temperature of 102F, refused to breastfeed, and had paroxysmal
coughing and noisy, labored breathing. On exam, you note an ill-appearing infant
who is lethargic, with tachypnea, wheezing, and intercostal retractions. The infant
does not attend daycare but has a 3-year-old sibling that does and who recently had
a "cold." Considering the clinical presentation, what is the most likely cause of the
infant's illness?
A: Mycoplasma pneumonia
B: RSV bronchiolitis
C: Aspiration pneumonia
D: Streptococcal infection of the pharynx - Correct answer-B: RSV bronchiolitis
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,December through March is a typical season for RSV, and it is commonly seen in
children under the age of 2 years, with a peak incidence between 3 & 6 months of
age. The presentation of fever, tachypnea, and wheezing with retractions is classic.
With an infant presenting with classic signs of RSV bronchiolitis, which of the
following would be the treatment of choice?
A: antihistamine, decongestant, and cough suppressant
B: oral antibiotics and follow-up chest radiograph in 2 weeks
C: bronchoscopy with lavage, chest physiotherapy, and respiratory isolation
D: fluids and nutritional support with close monitoring - Correct answer-D: fluids
and nutritional support with close monitoring
Bronchiolitis is usually treated on an outpatient basis with fluids, nutritional
support, & monitoring, unless Sxs are severe, in which case you would send to the
ER. Bronchodilators, epinephrine, Abx, and steroids have not been shown to
improve Sxs or shorten the duration of the illness.
Of the following children, which one should not have tuberculin testing?
A: a 14-year-old who lives with a family member who was recently incarcerated.
B: a 2-year-old who was infected with RSV 3 months ago and who is currently
asymptomatic
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, C: A 3-month-old whose family emigrated from Cambodia to the US 1 month ago.
D: an 18-month-old whose mother is infected with HIV - Correct answer-B: a 2-
year-old who was infected with RSV 3 months ago and who is currently
asymptomatic
RSV is not a risk factor for TB.
Which of the following clinical presentations LEAST warrants sweat chloride
testing?
A: 10-year-old female sibling of a patient newly diagnosed with cystic fibrosis;
sibling is without pulmonary problems, and growth parameters are at 50% for age.
B: 2-year-old male with recurrent pneumonia and growth parameters at 5% for age.
C: 4-year-old female with nocturnal cough, which resolves after treatment with
bronchodilators and short-term steroids; growth parameters at 10% for age.
D: 7-year-old female with nasal polyps, mildly hyperexpanded lungs; growth
parameters at 25% for age. - Correct answer-C: 4-year-old female with nocturnal
cough, which resolves after treatment with bronchodilators and short-term steroids;
growth parameters at 10% for age.
Nocturnal cough is reactive airway disease.
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2026 Questions and Answers
A 4-month-old presents to your office in mid-January with a 1-week history of
nasal congestion and occasional cough. On the evening prior to this visit, the infant
developed a temperature of 102F, refused to breastfeed, and had paroxysmal
coughing and noisy, labored breathing. On exam, you note an ill-appearing infant
who is lethargic, with tachypnea, wheezing, and intercostal retractions. The infant
does not attend daycare but has a 3-year-old sibling that does and who recently had
a "cold." Considering the clinical presentation, what is the most likely cause of the
infant's illness?
A: Mycoplasma pneumonia
B: RSV bronchiolitis
C: Aspiration pneumonia
D: Streptococcal infection of the pharynx - Correct answer-B: RSV bronchiolitis
©COPYRIGHT 2025, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED 1
,December through March is a typical season for RSV, and it is commonly seen in
children under the age of 2 years, with a peak incidence between 3 & 6 months of
age. The presentation of fever, tachypnea, and wheezing with retractions is classic.
With an infant presenting with classic signs of RSV bronchiolitis, which of the
following would be the treatment of choice?
A: antihistamine, decongestant, and cough suppressant
B: oral antibiotics and follow-up chest radiograph in 2 weeks
C: bronchoscopy with lavage, chest physiotherapy, and respiratory isolation
D: fluids and nutritional support with close monitoring - Correct answer-D: fluids
and nutritional support with close monitoring
Bronchiolitis is usually treated on an outpatient basis with fluids, nutritional
support, & monitoring, unless Sxs are severe, in which case you would send to the
ER. Bronchodilators, epinephrine, Abx, and steroids have not been shown to
improve Sxs or shorten the duration of the illness.
Of the following children, which one should not have tuberculin testing?
A: a 14-year-old who lives with a family member who was recently incarcerated.
B: a 2-year-old who was infected with RSV 3 months ago and who is currently
asymptomatic
©COPYRIGHT 2025, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED 2
, C: A 3-month-old whose family emigrated from Cambodia to the US 1 month ago.
D: an 18-month-old whose mother is infected with HIV - Correct answer-B: a 2-
year-old who was infected with RSV 3 months ago and who is currently
asymptomatic
RSV is not a risk factor for TB.
Which of the following clinical presentations LEAST warrants sweat chloride
testing?
A: 10-year-old female sibling of a patient newly diagnosed with cystic fibrosis;
sibling is without pulmonary problems, and growth parameters are at 50% for age.
B: 2-year-old male with recurrent pneumonia and growth parameters at 5% for age.
C: 4-year-old female with nocturnal cough, which resolves after treatment with
bronchodilators and short-term steroids; growth parameters at 10% for age.
D: 7-year-old female with nasal polyps, mildly hyperexpanded lungs; growth
parameters at 25% for age. - Correct answer-C: 4-year-old female with nocturnal
cough, which resolves after treatment with bronchodilators and short-term steroids;
growth parameters at 10% for age.
Nocturnal cough is reactive airway disease.
©COPYRIGHT 2025, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED 3
