The history is extremely important. It may be the only source suggestive of another process such as a foreign body. Management Make the patient comfortable. Avoid unnecessary procedures that will increase anxiety and worsen respiratory status. Account for ongoing losses such as tachypnea and fever.
Water droplets moisten mucosa and decrease viscosity of secretions.
Administer with O2 in hypoxic patient. Racemic Epinephrine Vasoconstrictive effects decrease mucosal edema. The deterioration is usally not to a worse state than the child's pre-racemic epinephrine baseline. Antibiotics not indicated. Call ENT and anesthesia for help in intubation.