طفل عمره ٤ سنوات عنده حمى ٣٩٫٥ بدأت فجأة، ويسيل لعابه، ويجلس منحنياً للأمام، وصوته مكتوم. ما الإجراء الأولوية؟

A 4-year-old has a sudden fever of 39.5 °C, is drooling, sits leaning forward and has a muffled voice. What is the priority action?

1. Examine his throat with a tongue depressor to see the epiglottis
2. Separate him from his mother to insert an IV quickly
3. Lay him on his back to take a throat swab
4. Keep him calm on his mother’s lap and prepare airway equipment

Answer: D) Keep him calm on his mother’s lap and prepare airway equipment. This suggests epiglottitis, and upsetting the child or examining the throat can cause complete airway obstruction. He stays in his position of comfort with his parent while intubation or tracheostomy equipment is prepared, and nothing is put in his mouth.