A previously healthy 2-year-old girl who developed a sudden onset of persistent coughing is brought to the pediatric clinic. She has no fever and now is coughing up bright red, frothy blood. What is the most likely cause of this child's problem?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Foreign body aspiration is a common cause of sudden onset coughing and potentially life-threatening respiratory distress in children, especially around the age of 2 years, when they are prone to putting objects in their mouths. The presence of bright red, frothy blood suggests significant irritation or injury within the respiratory tract, which can occur with a foreign body lodged in the bronchus.

A Previously Healthy 2-Year-Old Girl Who Developed a Sudden Onset