Part I: In your own words, please compare and contrast croup and epiglottitis. Then, write how the EMT should react to each emergency. Don’t forget to include: Speed of Onset, Age Range, Characteristic Signs & Symptoms, etc.
Croup and epiglottitis are two types of respiratory diseases that cause upper airway problems in children. Croup occurs when several viral diseases cause the larynx, trachea, and bronchi to become inflamed. Typically, croup happens after a child develops a cold or another respiratory infection. It usually occurs in children from six months to four years old, and typically worsens at night. During the day, the child will exhibit a mild fever and hoarseness in his voice. However, during the night, the child will experience a cough that sounds like a “seal bark,” difficulty breathing, restlessness, paleness accompanied by cyanosis, nasal flaring, and retractions of the muscles around the ribs. An EMT should treat croup by putting the child in a …show more content…
It typically occurs in children two to seven years of age. An EMT should suspect epiglottis for any child with stridor, specifically those who are not vaccinated. A child with epiglottis will appear much more ill than a child with croup. Furthermore, some of the characteristic signs and symptoms of epiglottis include: a sudden onset of fever, increased work of breathing, sitting in the tripod position with the mouth wide open, painful swallowing, and excessive drooling. An EMT should react to epiglottitis by first contracting ALS, and then immediately transporting the child. After that, the EMT should give the patient high-concentration oxygen that is humidified if possible. The EMT must monitor the child for signs of respiratory distress or arrest, and he must never place anything in the patient’s mouth in this case because it could completely obstruct the
Croup and epiglottitis are two types of respiratory diseases that cause upper airway problems in children. Croup occurs when several viral diseases cause the larynx, trachea, and bronchi to become inflamed. Typically, croup happens after a child develops a cold or another respiratory infection. It usually occurs in children from six months to four years old, and typically worsens at night. During the day, the child will exhibit a mild fever and hoarseness in his voice. However, during the night, the child will experience a cough that sounds like a “seal bark,” difficulty breathing, restlessness, paleness accompanied by cyanosis, nasal flaring, and retractions of the muscles around the ribs. An EMT should treat croup by putting the child in a …show more content…
It typically occurs in children two to seven years of age. An EMT should suspect epiglottis for any child with stridor, specifically those who are not vaccinated. A child with epiglottis will appear much more ill than a child with croup. Furthermore, some of the characteristic signs and symptoms of epiglottis include: a sudden onset of fever, increased work of breathing, sitting in the tripod position with the mouth wide open, painful swallowing, and excessive drooling. An EMT should react to epiglottitis by first contracting ALS, and then immediately transporting the child. After that, the EMT should give the patient high-concentration oxygen that is humidified if possible. The EMT must monitor the child for signs of respiratory distress or arrest, and he must never place anything in the patient’s mouth in this case because it could completely obstruct the