When advising a new mother on caring for a child with croup, which symptom should be a priority concern for the telephone triage nurse?

When advising a new mother on caring for a child with croup, the telephone triage nurse should prioritize concern for difficulty swallowing secretions. This symptom can indicate that the child's airway is becoming obstructed and requires immediate medical attention. A fever of 101.0°F (38.3°C) is a common symptom of croup and can be managed at home with antipyretics. Crying often when nursing is not a specific symptom of croup and may have other causes. A barking cough, worse at night, is a characteristic symptom of croup and can be managed at home with humidified air and hydration.