A 5-year-old child is brought to the emergency department with copious drooling and a croaking sound on inspiration.Her mother states that the child is very agitated and only wants to sit upright.What action by the nurse takes priority?
A) Prepare intubation equipment and call the provider.
B) Examine the child's oropharynx and call the provider.
C) Obtain a throat culture for respiratory syncytial virus (RSV).
D) Obtain vital signs and listen to breath sounds.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

This child has symptoms of epiglottitis,is acutely ill,and requires emergency measures.If epiglottitis is suspected,the nurse should not examine the child's throat.Inspection of the epiglottis is only done by a provider,because it could trigger airway obstruction.A throat culture could precipitate a complete respiratory obstruction.Vital signs can be assessed after emergency equipment is readied.

A 5-Year-Old Child Is Brought to the Emergency Department with Copious