Final answer:
The TRUE statement regarding crowing and stridor is that both are commonly associated with swelling of the airway, indicating respiratory distress. Other options are incorrect because they do not accurately describe these conditions or appropriate interventions.
Step-by-step explanation:
The answer to the student's question is A: Both crowing and stridor are commonly associated with swelling of the airway. Crowing is often heard in croup, a respiratory condition characterized by a barking cough and difficulty breathing due to inflammation of the larynx and trachea. Stridor is a high-pitched wheezing sound caused by disrupted airflow, which is often due to narrowing of the airway from inflammation, an allergic reaction, or a foreign obstruction. Both sounds indicate respiratory distress, and evaluating the cause is critical for appropriate treatment.
Regarding the other options, B is incorrect as stridor is not necessarily a rattling sound but a high-pitched sound, and crowing can also differ in its sound quality. C is incorrect because airway adjuncts should not be used in a child with suspected infection of the epiglottis as it can trigger complete airway obstruction. Lastly, D is partially incorrect. While proper positioning may help relieve mild airway obstruction, it will not necessarily relieve crowing or stridor, and airway adjuncts might not be appropriate depending on the cause of these sounds.