Clinical Signs for acute respiratory infection in a new born are following except?

Appeared in: Hariyana-CHO-2021

Explanation

Stridor is a high-pitched, harsh sound produced during inspiration due to a partial obstruction in the upper airway (larynx or trachea).
Acute respiratory infections (ARI) in newborns, such as pneumonia and bronchiolitis, primarily involve the lower respiratory tract (bronchioles and alveoli).
Therefore, stridor is not a characteristic sign of a typical lower respiratory tract infection in a newborn.
The other options—high respiratory rate, shallow breathing, and chest indrawing—are all classic signs of lower respiratory distress.

Option A: A high respiratory rate (tachypnea), defined as more than 60 breaths per minute in a newborn, is a cardinal sign of respiratory distress and ARI.
Option B: Shallow breathing is a common compensatory mechanism in newborns with ARI to reduce the work of breathing when the lungs are stiff or filled with fluid.
Option C: Chest indrawing (retractions) is a clear indicator of increased respiratory effort and is a danger sign for severe ARI or pneumonia in a newborn.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: Knowing Clinical signs of acute respiratory infection in newborns helps nurses interpret findings accurately and avoid errors in routine assessment, medication administration, and patient teaching.
Accurate assessment of respiratory signs in a newborn is a critical nursing skill for early identification of serious illness.
Differentiating stridor from other respiratory sounds like wheezing is vital. Stridor indicates an upper airway problem (e.g., croup, foreign body), while wheezing indicates a lower airway problem (e.g., bronchiolitis, asthma).
The presence of any danger sign, such as chest indrawing or a very high respiratory rate, requires immediate escalation and intervention to prevent respiratory failure.

How to Approach the Question

First, identify the core concept of the question: signs of acute respiratory infection (ARI) in a newborn.
Note the keyword 'except'. This means you are looking for the option that is NOT a sign of ARI in this context.
Evaluate each option based on your knowledge of neonatal respiratory pathology.
Recall that ARI in newborns typically refers to lower respiratory tract infections like pneumonia or bronchiolitis.
Analyze Option A (High Respiratory Rate): This is a classic sign of respiratory distress.
Analyze Option B (Shallow Breathing): This is also a sign of respiratory distress.

Concept Tested & Keywords

QOwOKPOaUecWfpG9oX4YSx

E6 Ghai Essential Pediatrics(pp 26-904 of 913) pp. 397-399, 797-799

E6 Nelson Textbook of Pediatrics(2024) — Volume 2 p. 298-300

Practise the full Hariyana-CHO-2021

Attempt every question from this paper in a timed mock, then review the full solution for each one.