Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA) Practice Exam

When should a child with stridor be assessed for potential hospitalization?

1. Only during during regular check-ups

2. When hypoxia is present

3. If there is a history of respiratory infections

4. Immediately upon presenting with stridor

The correct answer is: Immediately upon presenting with stridor

The appropriate timing for assessing a child with stridor for potential hospitalization is immediately upon presenting with this symptom. Stridor is indicative of an upper airway obstruction and can signal potentially serious respiratory distress. The onset of stridor often necessitates urgent evaluation to determine its cause and severity, as it can result from conditions such as croup, foreign body aspiration, or anaphylaxis, among other issues. Immediate assessment allows healthcare providers to initiate timely and critical interventions, which can be life-saving. While the presence of hypoxia, a history of respiratory infections, or regular check-ups is important in the broader context of a child's health, they do not take precedence over an immediate assessment when stridor is observed. Each of these factors may provide context but are not definitive indicators for when to act. The priority is to respond promptly to stridor to evaluate airway patency and respiratory function effectively.