A nurse is caring for a child with epiglottitis and needs to provide supportive care.
Select all appropriate interventions for supportive care.

Choice A rationale:

Drooling and inability to handle secretions are characteristic manifestations of epiglottitis.

Inflamed epiglottis impairs the child's ability to swallow and manage saliva, leading to drooling.

This symptom is a key clinical indicator of epiglottitis.

Choice B rationale:

Cough and wheezing are not typical manifestations of epiglottitis.

Epiglottitis primarily affects the upper airway, leading to symptoms such as drooling, stridor, and respiratory distress.

Cough and wheezing are more common in lower respiratory tract infections, such as bronchitis or pneumonia.

Choice C rationale:

Cyanosis and pallor are not specific to epiglottitis and can occur in various respiratory and cardiovascular conditions.

While these symptoms indicate decreased oxygenation, they are not unique to epiglottitis and are not considered characteristic manifestations of this condition.

Choice D rationale:

Muffled voice and stridor are characteristic signs of epiglottitis.

A muffled voice occurs due to the swollen epiglottis obstructing airflow, resulting in a change in the sound of the child's voice.

Stridor is a high-pitched, noisy breathing sound that occurs during inspiration and indicates partial airway obstruction.

Both symptoms are indicative of compromised upper airway in epiglottitis.

Choice E rationale:

Tachypnea (rapid breathing) and tachycardia (rapid heartbeat) are common physiological responses to respiratory distress.

In epiglottitis, the child may exhibit these symptoms due to the body's attempt to compensate for decreased oxygen levels.

These manifestations reflect the severity of the condition and the child's physiological response to airway compromise.

Choice A rationale:

Difficulty swallowing and throat pain are common symptoms of epiglottitis, but they do not necessarily indicate the severity of the condition.

Choice B rationale:

Feeling anxious and restless may be a sign of distress, but it does not specifically indicate the severity of epiglottitis.

Choice C rationale:

Making a high-pitched sound when breathing (called stridor) is a serious symptom indicating airway obstruction.

While this is concerning, it is not the most critical manifestation in evaluating the severity of epiglottitis.

Choice D rationale:

Cyanosis, characterized by a bluish discoloration of the skin and lips, indicates severe lack of oxygen and is a critical sign in assessing the severity of epiglottitis.

Cyanosis suggests inadequate oxygenation and is indicative of impending respiratory failure, requiring immediate medical intervention.