Question

A 4-year-old child is brought to the emergency department experiencing severe respiratory distress. The health care provider has diagnosed epiglottitis. What nursing interventions should the nurse include in this child's plan of care? Select all that apply.

A) Keep the child quiet
B) Administer prescribed nebulizer treatments
C) Have intubation equipment readily available
D) Administer oxygen
E) Start a peripheral IV

Answer 1

Nursing interventions for a child with epiglottitis include having intubation equipment available, administering oxygen, and keeping the child quiet.

Step-by-step explanation:

Epiglottitis is a serious condition that requires immediate medical intervention. Nursing interventions for a child with epiglottitis should focus on maintaining the child's airway and providing respiratory support. The nurse should:

• Have intubation equipment readily available in case the child's airway becomes completely blocked and intubation is necessary.
• Administer oxygen to help improve the child's oxygenation and alleviate respiratory distress.
• Keep the child quiet to reduce agitation and minimize the risk of airway obstruction.

Note that administering nebulizer treatments and starting a peripheral IV may not be appropriate in this situation, as they do not address the immediate airway and respiratory needs of the child.