A Child with a Recent History of URI Reports Tingling

A child with a recent history of URI reports tingling and pain in one ear followed by sagging of one side of the face. The primary care pediatric nurse practitioner observes that the child cannot close the eye or mouth on the affected side but does not elicit limb weakness on that side. What will the nurse practitioner do?

A) Initiate a short course of antibiotic therapy.
B) Perform diagnostic testing to rule out serious causes.
C) Prepare the parents for lifelong complications.
D) Prescribe oral prednisone 1 mg/kg/day initially.