The therapist is evaluating a child in the emergency department who displays the following signs: inability to cry, ineffective cough, high-pitched inspiratory sound, and cyanosis. What should the therapist suspect?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The child with complete obstruction may require emergent cricothyrotomy to establish a patent airway. Signs of severe or complete airway obstructions that require intervention include the following:
$\bullet$ Inability to speak or cry audibly
$\bullet$ Weak, ineffective cough
$\bullet$ High-pitched sound or no sound during inhalation
$\bullet$ Increased difficulty breathing with distress
$\bullet$ Cyanosis
$\bullet$ Universal choking sign (thumb and index finger clutching neck)
No interventions should be taken if the child can cough forcefully or speak. In this case one should stay with the child monitoring the situation and providing emotional support.

The Therapist Is Evaluating a Child in the Emergency Department