Differential diagnosis
The patient presents with the a 3-day cough and primary signs including a productive cough with yellow mucus, afebrile indications, no cervical adenopathy, enlarged nasal turbinates and moderate clear rhinorrhea. The father is in fear that the child has bronchitis. However, the patient has does not indicate cervical adenopathy ad is able to take deep breaths without coughing. The respiratory rate is at 18 indicating to be within the normal range (Dains, Baumann & Scheibel, 2007). Bronchitis could be a possible condition in this case as the patient presents with a productive cough, yellow in color as well as afebrile indications which could at times lead to a fever. However, the patient does not present with chest pains and is able to take deep breaths.
Nasopharyngitis could also be a possible condition as the patient presents a runny nose (rhinorrhea), coughing, nasal congestion and lungs clear (Mengel & Schwiebert, 2009). However, the patient does not have cervical adenopathy which is a major symptom in Nasopharyngitis. Sinusitis is another probable condition. It presents with nasal congestion, rhinorrhea, productive cough yellow in color, coughing and postnasal drip. Sinusitis does not present with cervical adenopathy but there are cases of enlarged nasal turbinates. This therefore indicates that the patient may have sinusitis as the primary illness especially with the unique aspect of clear lungs and the absence of cervical adenopathy (Jarvis, 2015).
Treatment and management plan for the patient
The patient will be placed on an antibiotic dosage for a minimum of five days preferably Amoxicillin (40 – 90 mg/kg/day) as well as an antihistamine dosage for three days preferably diphenhydramine (25 mg/day). The patient will also be placed on a nasal decongestant to manage the nasal congestion which may be in form of spray or syrup.
Strategies for educating patients and families
The parents and families of young children should be aware of the fact that children have delicate systems and exposure to bacterial and viral-friendly environments could place them at risk of acquiring infections and subsequent illnesses (Dains, Baumann & Scheibel, 2007). The parents should be informed of the need to keep the vaccination schedules for these children updated while also observing optimal hygiene in their places of living. Booklets and pamphlets with such information may be of great significance to the parents and families (Jarvis, 2015).
References
Jarvis, C. (2015). Physical examination & health assessment (6th ed.). St. Louis, MO: Saunders Elsevier.
Dains, J. E., Baumann, L. C., & Scheibel, P. (2007). Advanced Health Assessment and Clinical Diagnosis in Primary Care (3rd Ed.). Missouri: Mosby Elsevier.
Mengel, M. B., & Schwiebert, L. P. (2009). Family Medicine Ambulatory Care and Prevention (5th Ed.). New York: McGraw Hill Medical.
