Croup
Structured condition card with NCLEX priority cues and nursing action focus.
PediatricsRespiratoryInfectious Diseasehigh priorityneeds review
Croup
Also testable as: Laryngotracheobronchitis
Etiology / Pathophysiology
- Usually viral upper airway infection causing laryngeal and tracheal swelling.
- Subglottic edema narrows the pediatric airway, causing barky cough and stridor.
Medications
| Class | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Corticosteroids | Steroids may reduce airway inflammation when ordered. |
Nursing actions
- Assess stridor at rest, retractions, oxygen saturation, agitation, drooling, and fatigue.
- Keep the child calm and upright; provide humidified air/oxygen and medications as ordered.
- Escalate stridor at rest, cyanosis, drooling, or decreased level of consciousness.
Complications
- Airway obstruction
- Respiratory failure
- Dehydration
NCLEX cues
- Barking cough and inspiratory stridor.
- Agitation worsens airway narrowing.
- Stridor at rest is high priority.
Memory hooks
- Croup sounds like a bark; stridor at rest is bad.
Labs / Diagnostics
- Clinical assessment
- Pulse oximetry
- Neck/chest imaging only when ordered and stable
Review notes
- Supplemental wife-requested study card. Use for NCLEX review only and verify against school materials, ATI/NCLEX review sources, current orders, and facility policy.