Difficulty: Medium
Average Score: 86%
Full-length
A 3 year-old child comes to the pediatric clinic after the sudden onset of findings that include irritability, thick muffled voice, croaking on inspiration, skin hot to touch, sits leaning forward, tongue protruding, drooling and suprasternal retractions. What should the nurse do first?
Correct answer
D
Rationale
These findings suggest a medical emergency and may be due to epiglottitis. Any child with an acute onset of an inflammatory response in the mouth and throat should receive immediate attention in a facility equipped to perform intubation or a tracheostomy in the event of further or complete obstruction.