The mother of a 5-year-old girl describes her daughter's symptoms to the nurse in the emergency room. She states that her daughter has had "a dry, hacking cough for the past 3 days that gets worse during the night."

Question

She further states that "now she is coughing up phlegm." Which discharge instruction does the nurse plan to provide?
A.
"Do not be surprised if she vomits her secretions."
B.
"Give your child cough drops as often as needed."
C.
"Return if she is not better after 3 days of antibiotics."
D.
"You can use a warm-mist humidifier in her room."

Answer 1

ANS: A
This child has manifestations of bronchitis, which is frequently viral in nature. A dry, hacking cough gives way to a productive cough. Older children can be encouraged to cough up their secretions, but younger children often swallow them, leading to vomiting. Cough drops are not generally used, so as to encourage secretion mobilization. Because this disease is usually viral in nature, antibiotics are not routinely used. Cool-mist humidifiers are preferred over warm.