What is it? ASSESSMENT
Acute infection of supraglottic structures resulting in Remember the 4 D’s
edema and swelling cause the upper airway to be ‣ Drooling
obstructed ‣ Dysphasia
A flap of cartilage at the root of the tongue, which is ‣ Dysphonia
depressed during swallowing to cover the opening of ‣ Distress
the windpipe.
Respiratory distress
Pathophysiology ‣ nasal flaring
‣ sternal/intercostal retraction
Epiglottitis is a potentially life-threatening condition ‣ pale/blue
that occurs when the epiglottis a small cartilage "lid" ‣ tachycardia
that covers your windpipe and swells, blocking the ‣ increased restlessness
flow of air into your lungs. ‣ tripod position with tongue protruding
TRIGGERS TREATMENTS
‣ Swallow a chemical that burns your throat ‣ Antipyretics
‣ Swallow a foreign object ‣ Antibiotics (swelling of epiglottis usually
‣ Smoke drugs, such as crack cocaine subsides, 24 hrs after)
‣ Streptococcus infection ‣ Constant monitoring of respiratory status
‣ o2 humidification
‣ Intubation
‣ let child sit in position they find most
EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT comfortable
Respiratory arrest
‣ bag ventilation
‣ attempt to intubate INTERVENTIONS
‣ perform needle or surgical NEVER USE A TONGUE DEPRESSOR
cricothyroidotomy TO ASSESS AIRWAY! THIS COULD
‣ start IV - ceftriaxone or cefotaxime CAUSE SPASMS AND FURTHER BLOCK
‣ racemic epi & steroids are ineffective THE AIRWAY!
‣ protect airway
‣ avoid throat culture or using tongue blade
‣ prepare for intubation
‣ provide humidified oxygen
‣ monitor pulse ox
‣ administer corticosteroids and IV fluids
‣ administer abx therapy starting with IV then
transition to oral to complete 10 day course
‣ droplet isolation precaution first 24 hr after
IV initiation
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