Certified Pediatric Nurse (CPN)

What does inspiratory stridor indicate in a child?

1. The child is prolonging the exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide

2. Air within the lungs has been replaced by fluid

3. There is edema within the upper airway

4. There is inflammation within the narrow passages of the lungs

The correct answer is: There is edema within the upper airway

Inspiratory stridor is a high-pitched, wheezing sound that occurs when breathing in (inspiration) and is usually indicative of obstruction or narrowing in the upper airway. In children, this typically suggests the presence of edema, which can be caused by various factors such as infection, allergic reactions, or foreign body aspiration. When there is edema within the upper airway, such as in conditions like croup or after an allergic reaction, it results in narrowed airways that create turbulent airflow, manifesting as stridor. This symptom is crucial in assessing respiratory distress in pediatric patients, as it can indicate serious conditions requiring prompt evaluation and intervention to ensure adequate airflow and oxygenation. Other responses, while related to respiratory issues, do not specifically explain the presence of inspiratory stridor. For instance, the idea of prolonged gas exchange pertains more to broader respiratory conditions rather than a specific narrowing of the upper airways. Similarly, fluid in the lungs refers to lower respiratory issues, such as pneumonia or pulmonary edema, which would typically present with different sounds like wheezing or crackles rather than stridor. Inflammation in the narrow passages of the lungs is more characteristic of lower respiratory diseases such as asthma, which would not produce stridor but rather wheezing