Question

Child comes in with barking cough, audible stridor at rest, retractions. There is poor air movement on auscultation, and child looks slightly sleepy. What is the appropriate managment?

Answer 1

The child with a barking cough, audible stridor, retractions, and poor air movement on auscultation should receive immediate medical attention, potentially including corticosteroids, nebulized epinephrine.

Step-by-step explanation:

A child presenting with a barking cough, audible stridor at rest, retractions, poor air movement on auscultation, and sleepiness likely has a serious respiratory condition such as croup or epiglottitis that requires immediate medical attention.

Management should begin with assessing the child's airway, breathing, and circulation and providing appropriate respiratory support. Given the severity of symptoms, the child should be transported to the emergency department as quickly as possible.

In the hospital setting, treatments may include corticosteroids to reduce airway inflammation, nebulized epinephrine to improve airway patency, and possibly intubation if there is evidence of impending airway obstruction. Oxygen should be administered if the child's oxygen saturation is low.