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Epiglottitis (paediatric stridor) — DIPIMC MCQ

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HardPaediatric and Obstetric EmergenciesEpiglottitis (paediatric stridor)DIPIMCDipIMC

A 3-year-old has acute stridor with drooling, a high fever, a toxic appearance and is sitting forward in a tripod position. There is no barking cough and the child is not improving.

Educational content. Not a substitute for clinical judgement or local policy.

Reveal the answer and explanation

Correct answer: C — Keep the child calm with a parent, give oxygen as tolerated, avoid airway examination and transfer urgently with anaesthetics and ENT alerted

Explanation lettering: B = shown as A · A = shown as B · E = shown as C · C = shown as D · D = shown as E

Drooling, a toxic appearance and tripod positioning suggest epiglottitis, where any distress or attempt to examine the throat can precipitate complete airway obstruction, so the child is kept calm with a parent, given oxygen as tolerated and conveyed urgently with anaesthetics and ENT pre-alerted. Lying the child flat to examine the throat (A) is potentially fatal. In suspected epiglottitis, minimal handling and a controlled airway elsewhere are the priorities.

Reference: APLS; JRCALC Clinical Guidelines