Field Internship Student Data Acquisition Project. (FISDAP) Airway Practice Exam

Which symptom is NOT typically associated with croup?

1. Fever

2. Barking cough

3. Severe sore throat

4. Stridor

The correct answer is: Severe sore throat

Croup is primarily characterized by a distinct set of symptoms that include a barking cough, stridor, and often fever due to an underlying viral infection. While fever and the barking cough are classic signs of croup, stridor indicates airway narrowing or obstruction, often present during inhalation. In contrast, a severe sore throat is not typically associated with croup. This is largely because croup generally occurs due to viral infections that affect the larynx and trachea, leading to inflammation and airway symptoms rather than causing significant throat pain. On the other hand, a severe sore throat is more characteristic of conditions like streptococcal pharyngitis or tonsillitis, which do not present the other hallmark symptoms of croup. Thus, when considering the defining features of croup, the severe sore throat stands out as not fitting within the typical symptom profile.