What assessment finding is typical for a 3-month-old with cystic fibrosis?

In a 3-month-old with cystic fibrosis, one typical assessment finding is frequent cough with thick sputum. This is primarily due to the accumulation of mucus in the lungs, which is a hallmark of cystic fibrosis. The defective CFTR gene leads to the production of thick, sticky mucus that obstructs the airways, causing chronic respiratory issues. As a result, infants with cystic fibrosis are prone to respiratory infections and may exhibit a characteristic cough in an effort to clear the mucus from their airways.

While low energy levels may be present due to the effects of the disease, they are not as specific or prominent as the respiratory symptoms. Additionally, stable weight gain may be difficult to achieve in cystic fibrosis patients due to malabsorption issues, and a normal appetite could be misleading, as many infants with the condition may have fluctuating feeding patterns depending on their overall health status. Frequent cough with thick sputum is a direct reflection of the lung pathology associated with the disease, making it the most indicative finding in this scenario.