17th February 2025

A 27-year-old lady attends the emergency department complaining of feeling unwell and difficulty breathing.

A 27-year-old lady attends the emergency department complaining of feeling unwell and difficulty breathing. She has a sore throat, dysphagia and general malaise, which has been ongoing for several days. An end of the bed examination shows the patient to be hunched forward and using her accessory muscles to breathe and she is drooling. You also notice stridor. What is the most appropriate step in management? 

Select the SINGLE most appropriate option from the list below. Select ONE option only.