A 4-year-old child is brought to the Emergency Department with a 1-hour history of noisy breathing and drooling. He is sitting upright, looks unwell, ...

Question

A 4-year-old child is brought to the Emergency Department with a 1-hour history of noisy breathing and drooling. He is sitting upright, looks unwell, and has a temperature of 39.0°C. Inspiratory stridor is audible. His immunisations are incomplete. What is the most important initial step in management?

Accepted Answer

Secure the airway in theatre by an experienced anaesthetist and ENT surgeon

Answer

Attempt to visualise the pharynx with a tongue depressor

Answer

Administer oral dexamethasone

Answer

Perform a lateral neck X-ray

Answer

Administer nebulised adrenaline

mrcem sba MCQ (SBA): Acute Epiglottitis