The Assessment Findings of a 5-Year-Old with a History of Asthma

Multiple Choice

The assessment findings of a 5-year-old with a history of asthma include extreme shortness of breath,nasal flaring,coughing,pulsus paradoxus,and use of accessory respiratory muscles.There is no wheezing and the chest is silent in many areas.How should you interpret your assessment?

A) The child probably has consolidated pneumonia; oxygen should be started immediately.
B) Since there is not wheezing, asthma is the problem, but oxygen should be started immediately anyway.
C) The signs and symptoms are consistent with asthma; start oxygen and then check to see that your stethoscope is working properly.
D) The child may be having such a severe asthma episode that the airways are closed, so start oxygen and get the doctor immediately.