Final answer:
Drooling should be the finding that alerts the nurse to the possibility of epiglottitis in a toddler experiencing acute respiratory distress.
Step-by-step explanation:
The finding that should alert the nurse to the possibility of epiglottitis in a toddler who is in acute respiratory distress is drooling. Epiglottitis is an inflammation of the epiglottis, which is the flap of tissue that covers the windpipe during swallowing, preventing food and liquid from entering the airway. In epiglottitis, the epiglottis becomes swollen and can block the airway, leading to respiratory distress. Drooling is a common sign of epiglottitis because the swollen epiglottis makes it difficult for the child to swallow saliva.