Epiglottitis (ch.14)

Question 1

What is epiglottitis?

Answer 1

Epiglottitis is a bacterial infection causing acute inflammation of the supraglottic region of the oropharynx

Question 2

What age group is most affected by epiglottitis?

Answer 2

Epiglottitis is most commonly seen in children between 2-5 years old

Question 3

What is the most common causative organism of epiglottitis?

Answer 3

Haemophilus influenzae type B is the most common organism, causing over 80% of cases

Question 4

What are some noninfectious causes of epiglottitis?

Answer 4

Noninfectious causes include thermal injuries and throat burns, ingestion of dishwasher soaps, ingestion of foreign bodies, and head and neck chemotherapy.

Question 5

What happens during the pathophysiology of epiglottitis?

Answer 5

Swelling of supraglottic structures causes the epiglottis to act as a ball-valve mechanism, resulting in partial to complete airway obstruction. This increases airway resistance and work of breathing, potentially leading to severe airway obstruction and cardiopulmonary arrest

Question 6

What are the key signs of airway obstruction in epiglottitis?

Answer 6

Key signs include tachypnea, tachycardia, stridor, intercostal and suprasternal retractions, cyanosis, and tripod positioning.

Question 7

What diagnostic tools are used for epiglottitis?

Answer 7

Diagnosis includes clinical assessment, chest radiographs, direct laryngoscopy or flexible fiberoptic bronchoscopy, and blood cultures or cultures from the surface of the epiglottis

Question 8

What is the classic clinical presentation of a child with epiglottitis?

Answer 8

Classic symptoms include sore throat, high-grade fever, dysphagia, drooling, noisy breathing, tachycardia, tachypnea, cyanosis, and sitting in a tripod position. (sprasternal retractions)

Question 9

What is the tripod position seen in epiglottitis?

Answer 9

The tripod position is when the child sits leaning forward, supporting their weight with their hands to help open the airway and reduce respiratory distress.

Question 10

What is the primary goal when managing a patient with epiglottitis?

Answer 10

The primary goal is to keep the patient calm to prevent airway obstruction and respiratory distress

Question 11

What should be done if intubation is not possible in a child with epiglottitis?

Answer 11

If intubation is not possible, a tracheostomy must be considered.