PC

• Tachypnoea
• tachycardia
• Using accesory muscles to assist with breathing
• Subcostal, intercostal drawing, sternal retractions, nasal flaring, tracheal tug, head bobbing
• Tripod position
• Central cyanosis/ashy skin
• Altered consciousness levels

Management

Acute management - A-E assessment

• Airway
  • Do not agitate the child, this may worsen the obstruction
  • Do not have the child lay down, this may obstruct the airway
  • Consider need of establishing an airway - STAT alert ENT/anaesthetics
• Breathing
  • Calculate the RR, check O2 sats
  • Symmetry of chest rise, use of accessory muscles, airway movement, breath sounds
  • Listen for any wheeze or stridor
• Circulation
  • Look for cyanosis or ashen skin
  • Cap refill time, peripheral pulses
  • IV access

Differential diagnosis

Pulmonary causes - Upper airway:

• Laryngeal FB
• Croup