Certified Pediatric Emergency Nurse (CPEN) Practice Exam

What characteristics of breathing should be assessed in a child?

1. Only rate and rhythm

2. Depth, sound, and effort

3. Only depth and sound

4. Only effort and rhythm

The correct answer is: Depth, sound, and effort

Assessing breathing in a child requires a comprehensive approach that includes evaluating depth, sound, and effort. Depth refers to the volume of air the child is inhaling and exhaling, which can provide critical information about the adequacy of ventilation. Shallow breathing may indicate respiratory distress or fatigue. The sound of breathing can signal various conditions; for instance, wheezing might suggest asthma or airway obstruction, while stridor can indicate upper airway obstruction. Effort involves observing how hard the child works to breathe; increased effort can be a sign of respiratory distress. This includes looking for retractions, nasal flaring, or grunting, all of which signify the body is struggling to achieve adequate oxygenation. By evaluating these three characteristics, clinicians can obtain a more complete picture of a child's respiratory status, which is essential for making informed decisions regarding diagnosis and treatment. Focusing only on a limited set of characteristics would potentially lead to missing crucial indicators of respiratory problems.