Question

The nurse is educating a group of parents about respiratory disorders in young children. one of the mothers tells the nurse that she has noticed her child's nostrils flaring when the child has a respiratory infection. the mother asks the nurse if she should be concerned. what is the most appropriate response by the nurse?

Answer 1

The nurse should advise the mother that flaring nostrils (alar flaring) is one of the symptoms that point out to a potential respiratory distress, and is one of the criteria in assessing the severity of pneumonia in pediatric age groups. The nurse should advise the mother to have her child checked by a pediatrician.