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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