Epiglottitis
Epiglottitis: Nursing Interventions
1. Continuous respiratory assessment 2. Position upright; let parents hold 3. NPO 4. IV fluids 5. Antibiotics 7-10 days
Epiglottitis: S&S
1. Sudden onset & rapid progression to severe resp. distress 2. High fever 3. Sore throat 4. Dysphagia 5. Drooling - painful swallowing
Epiglottitis: Diagnosis
1. Throat examination is contraindicated (unless equipment & personnel available, doctor) 2. Has the possibility of causing complete airway obstruction 3. X-ray confirms diagnosis - portable, lateral neck
Epiglottitis: Nursing Interventions
10. Humidified oxygen with mask or flowby in young kids 11. Racemic (nebulized) epinephrine 12. Heliox - helium + oxygen decreased edema 13. Corticosteroids 14. Upsetting procedures delayed until ad.equate airway is maintained 15. Swelling decreases after 24 hours of antibiotics & epiglottis normal in 3 days
Epiglottitis: S&S
6. Agitation 7. Lethargy 8. Tripod position 9. Retractions 10 Generally no spontaneous cough 11. Voice - thick & muffled with frog-like croaking sound on inspiration
Epiglottitis: Nursing Interventions
6. Antipyretics 7. Intubation for 24 hours/improve in 2-3 days 8. Trach in an emergency 9. Emergency equipment available
Epiglottitis
Life threatening bacterial infection of the epiglottis causing swelling that can lead to complete airway obstruction
