Question

A female child is brought into the emergency department after awakening with a bark-like cough and stridor. Upon arrival to the hospital, her respirations are labored, and she is drooling. What action should the nurse implement?

a. Prepare for emergency tracheostomy
b. Assess the child for dehydration
c. Collect midstream urine specimen for culture
d. Examine oropharyngeal area for foreign body

Answer 1

The nurse should examine the oropharyngeal area for a foreign body to address the child's symptoms of bark-like cough, stridor, drooling, and labored respirations.

Step-by-step explanation:

The nurse should examine the oropharyngeal area for a foreign body. The symptoms described, such as a bark-like cough, stridor, drooling, and labored respirations, are indicative of croup, which is often caused by an obstruction in the upper airway. By examining the oropharyngeal area, the nurse can assess for the presence of a foreign body and take appropriate action to remove it if necessary.