Certified Pediatric Emergency Nurse (CPEN) Practice Exam

What is the typical age range for Bronchiolitis to occur?

1. 1-5 years

2. Birth to 18 months

3. 3-6 years

4. 2-4 years

The correct answer is: Birth to 18 months

Bronchiolitis typically occurs in infants and toddlers, with a common age range being birth to 18 months. This condition, primarily caused by viral infections such as respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), affects the small airways in the lungs, leading to inflammation and narrower air passages. The reason this age range is significant is that the immune systems of younger children are still developing, making them more susceptible to respiratory infections, including bronchiolitis. Most cases of bronchiolitis are seen in children under the age of two, particularly around 2 to 6 months of age, further supporting this choice. As children grow older, they often develop more resilient immune systems and protective factors, which reduce the incidence of bronchiolitis. This explains why the other age ranges provided are less accurate, as they include older age groups where the prevalence of bronchiolitis declines significantly. The focus on infants and toddlers in the birth to 18 months category highlights the necessity for awareness and early identification of respiratory symptoms in this vulnerable group.