In this episode, Dr. Morgan Taylor unpacks croup—what causes that unforgettable barking cough, why symptoms flare at night, and how nurses can recognize when supportive care is enough and when it’s time for emergent treatment.
What You’ll Learn
Croup = viral upper airway swelling (larynx, trachea, bronchi) → narrowed airway & noisy breathing
Classic signs: barking seal-like cough, inspiratory stridor, hoarseness, symptoms worse at night
Why kids are at higher risk: small airway diameter → even slight swelling causes obstruction
Key distinction: croup = upper airway stridor, vs. asthma/bronchiolitis = lower airway wheezing
What not to do: antibiotics (viral cause), albuterol (lower airway med)
This episode is a must-listen for nursing students prepping for the NCLEX, ED/floor nurses caring for sick kids, and caregivers who want to recognize when croup needs urgent escalation.
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