Which assessment finding is common in children with asthma exacerbation?

Wheezing is a common assessment finding in children experiencing an asthma exacerbation. This characteristic sound is produced when air flows through narrowed airways, which can occur due to inflammation, bronchoconstriction, and increased mucus production associated with asthma. During an exacerbation, the child's airways become obstructed, leading to difficulty breathing and the characteristic wheezing sound, which is often audible during both inspiration and expiration.

In contrast, other findings, such as bradycardia, increased appetite, or clear lung sounds, are not typically associated with asthma exacerbations. Bradycardia is generally not a common sign in children with asthma; instead, you might expect tachycardia due to hypoxia or increased respiratory effort. Increased appetite is also not associated with asthma worsening; rather, children may experience decreased appetite due to difficulty breathing or feeling unwell during an exacerbation. Clear lung sounds would indicate normal respiratory function, which is contrary to what is expected during an asthma attack, where adventitious sounds like wheezing would typically be present.