What is the initial action the nurse should take when admitting a 2-year-old child with epiglottitis?
A) Suction excess secretions.
B) Administer antibiotics.
C) Maintain an open airway.
D) Administer a Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) vaccination.
C) Maintain an open airway.
Explanation: A) Epiglottitis is a rapidly progressive inflammation of the epiglottis. Because the abrupt onset of severe inflammation results in edema that can obstruct the upper airway, the priority is maintaining an open airway. Suctioning of secretions may aggravate the airway obstruction. Antibiotics may be administered, but are a lesser priority than maintaining a patent airway. The Hib vaccine should be administered during infancy, and acute administration now will not relieve the acute manifestations of epiglottitis.
B) Epiglottitis is a rapidly progressive inflammation of the epiglottis. Because the abrupt onset of severe inflammation results in edema that can obstruct the upper airway, the priority is maintaining an open airway. Suctioning of secretions may aggravate the airway obstruction. Antibiotics may be administered, but are a lesser priority than maintaining a patent airway. The Hib vaccine should be administered during infancy, and acute administration now will not relieve the acute manifestations of epiglottitis.
C) Epiglottitis is a rapidly progressive inflammation of the epiglottis. Because the abrupt onset of severe inflammation results in edema that can obstruct the upper airway, the priority is maintaining an open airway. Suctioning of secretions may aggravate the airway obstruction. Antibiotics may be administered, but are a lesser priority than maintaining a patent airway. The Hib vaccine should be administered during infancy, and acute administration now will not relieve the acute manifestations of epiglottitis.
D) Epiglottitis is a rapidly progressive inflammation of the epiglottis. Because the abrupt onset of severe inflammation results in edema that can obstruct the upper airway, the priority is maintaining an open airway. Suctioning of secretions may aggravate the airway obstruction. Antibiotics may be administered, but are a lesser priority than maintaining a patent airway. The Hib vaccine should be administered during infancy, and acute administration now will not relieve the acute manifestations of epiglottitis.
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