Which of the following signs in a 2-year-old child with a fever should be a cause for concern?

Study for the NOLS Wilderness Emergency Medical Technician (WEMT) Test with flashcards and multiple-choice questions, each offering hints and explanations. Prepare for your exam confidently!

In the context of a 2-year-old child with a fever, grunting at the end of expiration is a significant sign that should raise concern. This indicates potential respiratory distress and may suggest that the child is struggling to breathe effectively. Grunting is a sound made when a child attempts to increase intra-abdominal pressure to assist in the expiration of air from the lungs, often seen in cases where there is significant respiratory compromise.

This symptom can be associated with serious conditions such as pneumonia or other respiratory infections, which require prompt medical evaluation and intervention. Observing a child grunting should lead caregivers to seek immediate medical attention to assess the child’s respiratory status and overall condition.

In contrast, shivering during sleep, excessive crying, and frequent sneezing can be common in children with fever and can occur for various benign reasons. Shivering may occur as a response to fever and is not necessarily indicative of a more serious condition. Excessive crying could arise from discomfort or illness but does not inherently suggest severe distress. Frequent sneezing often occurs with minor illnesses and is typically not concerning unless accompanied by other more alarming symptoms.

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