Which finding indicates airway edema in a child with croup?

• A. Barking cough
• B. Stridor at rest
• C. Fever
• D. Increased secretions

Answer: (B)

Airway edema tightens the upper airway, especially the subglottic region, so airflow becomes turbulent and you hear a stridor. When that stridor is present at rest, it means the obstruction is significant even without crying or agitation, signaling meaningful edema. A barking cough is common with croup and reflects inflammation of the larynx, but it doesn’t directly indicate the degree of edema. Fever points to infection rather than edema, and increased secretions suggest mucus production rather than the edema tightening of the airway. Stridor at rest is the best clue that edema is driving the airway narrowing.