Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) Intermediate Practice Exam

What condition is indicated by mild inspiratory stridor, a barking cough, and a low-grade fever in a child?

1. Bronchiolitis

2. Croup

3. Pneumonia

4. Asthma

The correct answer is: Croup

The presence of mild inspiratory stridor, a barking cough, and a low-grade fever in a child points towards croup, also known as laryngotracheobronchitis. Croup is commonly caused by viral infections, such as parainfluenza virus, and it typically presents with these hallmark symptoms. Inspiratory stridor is a high-pitched sound that occurs when there is an obstruction or narrowing of the airways above the vocal cords, which is characteristic of the inflammation associated with croup. The distinctive barking cough resembles the sound of a seal, and this is due to the swelling in the larynx. Additionally, a low-grade fever is often present, as it aligns with the viral cause of the condition. Other conditions listed, such as bronchiolitis, pneumonia, and asthma, have different presentations. For example, bronchiolitis is characterized primarily by wheezing and respiratory distress but doesn't typically present with stridor or a barking cough. Pneumonia usually manifests with symptoms like high fever, cough, and breath sounds consistent with lung consolidation, rather than stridor. Asthma tends to present with wheezing and difficulty breathing rather than the specific cough and stridor associated with croup. Thus,