Parents bring a 5-year-old to the Emergency Department and report sudden onset of high fever, drooling, and they describe a "hot potato voice." What action by the healthcare professional takes priority?
A)Immediate assessment for aspiration of a foreign body
B)Allow the child to remain in the parent's lap.
C)Send the child to radiology for x-rays of the throat and chest.
D)Start the child and all family members on rifampin.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

This child has manifestations of epiglottitis. Inflammation can lead to airway obstruction rapidly so the main focus of immediate care is securing the airway and keeping the child calm because agitation can worsen the airway problems. Allow the child to remain on the parent's lap for all examinations and tests. Examination of the throat in this condition may trigger laryngospasm and cause respiratory collapse so this is not done. The child should not be sent out of the department for x-rays as death can occur quickly. After the child has been stabilized, family members can begin post-exposure prophylaxis with rifampin.

Parents Bring a 5-Year-Old to the Emergency Department and Report