LEARNING ACTIVITIES

1. Match the terms in the left column with their definitions on the right (a–g).

2. The common cold is also known as _____.

3. List five measures that can relieve symptoms of the common cold.
a. ___________________________________________________
b. ___________________________________________________
c. ___________________________________________________
d. ___________________________________________________
e. ___________________________________________________
4.
a. The child with strep throat is no longer infectious when _____.
b. What complications can arise when strep throat is not treated promptly?
_______________________________
_________________________________________
5. What is the treatment for sinusitis? _______________________________
_________________________________________
6. Define the term croup. _____
_________________________________________
_________________________________________
7. Describe the clinical course of laryngotracheobronchitis.
_________________________________________________
_________________________________________
_________________________________________
8. What advice would you give a parent about home care of a child with croup?
_______________________________
_________________________________________
_________________________________________
9. If epiglottitis is suspected, what nursing responsibility must be instituted?
_______________________________
_________________________________________
10. If subglottic edema occurs, it can result in _____ because the area below the glottis is
made up of _____ that cannot _____.
11. List the common signs and symptoms of bronchiolitis.
a. ___________________________________________________
b. ___________________________________________________
c. ___________________________________________________
d. ___________________________________________________
e. ___________________________________________________
12. What position facilitates breathing for the infant with bronchiolitis?
_______________________________
_________________________________________
13. Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is spread by direct contact with
_______________________________
_________________________________________
14. RSV can survive for more than _____ hours on countertops, tissues, and soap. 15.
The priority nursing diagnosis for an infant hospitalized with RSV infection is _____. 16.
List four of the possible signs of respiratory distress.
a. ___________________________________________________

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b. ___________________________________________________
c. ___________________________________________________
d. ___________________________________________________
17. Describe four or more of the common signs and symptoms of pneumonia.
a.
___________________________________________________
b. ___________________________________________________
c. ___________________________________________________
d. ___________________________________________________
18. Home care for a child with pneumonia involves:
a. ___________________________________________________
b. ___________________________________________________
c. ___________________________________________________
19. The removal of the tonsils and adenoids should wait until the child is at least _____ years of
age.
20. What signs and symptoms are indicative of bleeding in the postoperative tonsillectomy
patient?
a. ___________________________________________________
b. ___________________________________________________
c. ___________________________________________________
d. ___________________________________________________
21. What are the characteristic signs of allergic rhinitis?
_______________________________
_________________________________________
22. Describe the pathologic changes that take place in asthma.
_________________________________________________
23. List five or more signs and symptoms of an acute asthma episode.
a. ___________________________________________________
b. ___________________________________________________
c. ___________________________________________________
d. ___________________________________________________
e. ___________________________________________________
24. Describe nursing considerations when administering albuterol to a child with asthma.
_________________________________________________
_________________________________________
_________________________________________
_________________________________________
25. What should the nurse teach the family of a child with asthma about administering
cromolyn sodium daily to inhibit response to allergens and exercise-induced asthma?
_________________________________________
_________________________________________
_________________________________________
26. What should the nurse teach the family of a child with asthma about controlling allergens in
the child’s bedroom?
_________________________________________
_________________________________________
_________________________________________
27. Why should a child with asthma use a spacer with a metered-dose inhaler?
_______________________________
_________________________________________
28. Cystic fibrosis is a(n) _____ trait caused by a defect in _____.
29. Describe how cystic fibrosis affects the child’s respiratory system.
_________________________________________________
_________________________________________
_________________________________________
_________________________________________
30. Describe the stools of a child with cystic fibrosis.
_________________________________________________
31. What physiologic changes take place in the pancreas of a child with cystic fibrosis? _____
_________________________________________

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_________________________________________
_________________________________________
32. A(n) _____ is the test of choice for diagnosing cystic fibrosis.
 33. Describe three ways respiratory complications can be decreased in patients with cystic
fibrosis.
a. ___________________________________________________
b. ___________________________________________________
c. ___________________________________________________
34. Specific parent teaching for administration of an oral pancreatic agent to a child with cystic
fibrosis should include:
_________________________________________
_________________________________________
35. Children with cystic fibrosis should receive which vitamin and mineral supplements?
_______________________________
_________________________________________
36. What is the best way to prevent bronchopulmonary dysplasia?
_______________________________
_________________________________________
37. The nurse teaches parents to place infants in the _____ position for sleep. This
measure reduces the risk of _____.

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REVIEW QUESTIONS
1. An appropriate intervention for a child with bronchiolitis is:

1. isolation.
2. increased fluids.
3. placing the child supine for sleeping.
4. dry environment.
2. What is the best liquid for the nurse to give to a child who has had a tonsillectomy?

1. Apple juice
2. Milk
3. Sweet or diet colas
4. Fresh-squeezed lemonade
3. The nurse determines a parent understands dietary teaching for a child with cystic fibrosis
when she states the child should eat which type of diet?

1. High calorie, high protein, no salt supplement

2. High calorie with salt supplement
3. Low calorie, high protein, low salt
4. Low calorie, low protein, with salt supplement
4. The nurse places a child with croup in an environment of high humidity for which effect?

1. Decrease the possibility of dehydration

2. Decrease risk of spreading the infection
3. Decrease mucosal swelling
4. Decrease risk of vomiting and aspiration
5. An appropriate nursing action when a child is suspected of having epiglottitis is to:

1. avoid examination of the pharynx.

2. collect a throat culture.
3. place the child on the right side.
4. institute isolation precautions.
6. The nurse observes a child who had a tonsillectomy a few hours earlier is swallowing
frequently. What is the appropriate action for the nurse to take?

1. Offer the child cold milk.

2. Reposition the child to supine position.
3. Instruct the child to cough or clear the throat.
4. Notify the health care provider.
7. What information would be included in a teaching plan for a child with asthma?

1. Avoid exercise and sports activities.

2. Keep house humidity above 50%.
3. Identify early signs of an asthma attack.
4. Decrease the amount of liquids taken after 6:00 pm.
8. The nurse would expect the parent of an infant with croup to describe the infant’s cough as:

1. dry.
2. barking.
3. productive.
4. quiet.
9. Which instruction is most helpful for administering albuterol to a child with asthma? 1.

Take 30–60 minutes before exercise.

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2. Child should hold breath 5–10 seconds after inhaling or use a spacer.
3. Give with food to reduce gastric irritation.
4. Administer in early am when normal hormones peak.
10. A 3-year-old boy was seen in the clinic by the health care provider and diagnosed with
pneumonia. Amoxicillin for 10 days was prescribed, with a follow-up visit in 2 weeks.
Choose the priority parent teaching.
 1. Avoid giving cough medication at naptime or bedtime.
2. Importance of taking all of the prescribed amoxicillin.
3. Wrap snugly in blankets until fever breaks.
4. Room-temperature, fizzy soft drinks enhance amoxicillin absorption.
11. Influenza Type A or B may be diagnosed with which test?

1. Nasal swab
2. Blood test
3. Urine sample
4. Chest X-ray

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CASE STUDIES
1. Six-year-old Jasmine is admitted to the hospital with a diagnosis of asthma. She is restless,
has difficulty breathing, and is wheezing. She has numerous allergies.
a. Jasmine’s father relates that she has been taking allergy shots and that
the family has removed many of the objects she is allergic to from their
 home.
Explain each of these methods of allergy treatment.
b. What position should Jasmine assume to decrease respiratory distress?
c. The health care provider wants Jasmine to increase fluid intake. What liquids
should be encouraged and which should be avoided?
d. Jasmine wants to participate in the beginners’ swim team at school. What
should the nurse tell her about asthma and exercise?
e. Explain to Jasmine how to use a metered-dose inhaler for her medication. 2.
Alicia, an 8-year-old child, is admitted to the hospital with respiratory problems related to cystic
fibrosis. She has a history of chronic pulmonary and sinus problems. a. Alicia takes an oral
pancreatic enzyme. When should she take this medication? b. Alicia has extensive lung
disease. What measures would improve respiration? c. What type of diet would be ordered for
Alicia?
d. Alicia’s appetite has markedly decreased. What can be done to increase her
intake?

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THINKING CRITICALLY
1. Plan for the discharge of a child newly diagnosed with cystic fibrosis. Include diet,
medication, respiratory care, and psychological care of the child and the parents. 2.
Look up the latest statistics for preterm births in the United States
(https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/fastats/birthweight.htm).
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