Which combination of findings is most indicative of cystic fibrosis in a child with respiratory symptoms?

Unlock all questions

This demo includes only 20 questions. Upgrade to access hundreds of questions, flashcards, exam simulations, and disable ads.

Full question bankExam simulationsFlashcards
From $24.99Unlock all

Prepare for the Pediatric Respiratory Exam with our comprehensive study materials. Engage with flashcards and multiple-choice questions. Each question comes with hints and explanations. Get exam-ready with confidence!

Multiple Choice

Which combination of findings is most indicative of cystic fibrosis in a child with respiratory symptoms?

Explanation:
The key idea is that cystic fibrosis often shows a combination of lung problems and poor growth because it affects both the airways and the digestive system. A chronic productive cough reflects ongoing thick mucus and recurrent lung infections, while failure to thrive signals pancreatic insufficiency and fat malabsorption, which blunt weight gain. When these two features appear together in a child with respiratory symptoms, CF becomes the most likely diagnosis. Salty skin can be a clue due to high sweat chloride, but it isn’t as specific as having both chronic cough and growth failure.

The key idea is that cystic fibrosis often shows a combination of lung problems and poor growth because it affects both the airways and the digestive system. A chronic productive cough reflects ongoing thick mucus and recurrent lung infections, while failure to thrive signals pancreatic insufficiency and fat malabsorption, which blunt weight gain. When these two features appear together in a child with respiratory symptoms, CF becomes the most likely diagnosis. Salty skin can be a clue due to high sweat chloride, but it isn’t as specific as having both chronic cough and growth failure.

More Multiple Choice Questions
Subscribe

Get the latest from Examzify

You can unsubscribe at any time. Read our privacy policy