Croup -Triage Questionnaires

Croup is a common respiratory condition in children, characterized by a distinctive barking cough and varying degrees of airway obstruction. Accurate triage is essential to determine the severity of the condition and ensure timely intervention. A well-designed croup triage questionnaire can empower primary care providers and caregivers to assess the child’s condition systematically, enabling swift identification of cases requiring urgent care or hospitalization.

In this guide, we’ll explore the essential components of a croup triage questionnaire, including primary and advanced questions tailored to assess symptom severity, risk factors, and home management feasibility. These structured questions help healthcare professionals not only evaluate the clinical presentation of croup but also provide clear recommendations for at-home care or escalation to higher levels of medical support.

Whether you’re a clinician or a concerned caregiver, understanding how to utilize these triage tools effectively is a crucial step in managing croup and ensuring the best outcomes for children.

Triage Questions for Suspected Croup

1. How old is your child?
Age (in months/years):

2. Is your child experiencing a barking cough? If so, how long has it been present?

Yes (Duration: No

3. Is your child having difficulty breathing or making a high-pitched noise when inhaling (stridor)?

Yes No

4. Does your child have a fever? If so, what is their temperature?

Yes (Temperature: °C/°F) No

5. Is your child able to drink fluids?

Yes No

6. Has your child's behavior changed? Are they unusually agitated, drowsy, or lethargic?

Yes No

7. Have you noticed any bluish tint to your child's lips or skin?

Yes No

8. Is the stridor (harsh breathing noise) present all the time, or only when your child is upset?

Present all the time Present only when upset No stridor

9. Has your child experienced any pauses in breathing?

Yes No

10. Has your child received any treatment for croup before? If so, what was it and when?

Yes (Specify treatment and timing: ) No

11. Does your child have any other medical conditions?

Yes (Specify: ) No

12. Does your child have a respiratory rate over 60 breaths per minute?

Yes No

13. Does your child have a high fever or appear 'toxic'?

Yes No

14. Does your child have any of the following conditions?

Chronic lung disease (e.g., bronchopulmonary dysplasia) Hemodynamically significant congenital heart disease Neuromuscular disorders Immunodeficiency Age under three months

15. Is your child ingesting less than 50–75% of their usual fluid volume, or have they had no wet nappy for 12 hours?

Yes No

16. Are there any factors that might affect your ability to care for your child at home?

Adverse social circumstances No Concerns about your ability to monitor deteriorating symptoms No Limited confidence or skill in managing croup at home No

17. Is your home a long distance from healthcare facilities in case of deterioration?

Yes No