13.2.1  Assess for throat problems

When you assess for throat problems you should follow these steps:

ASK:

• Does the child have fever?
• Does the child have sore throat?

FEEL:

• For enlarged tender lymph nodes on the front of the neck.

LOOK:

• For red (congested) throat.
• For exudate (white or yellow patches) on the throat and tonsils.

The pharynx is the space behind the nose and the mouth. In a typical case of pharyngitis (sore throat) the pharynx is distinctly red and inflamed and the tonsils are enlarged and covered with yellow pus. There are complications of pharyngitis, including parapharyngeal abscess (this is when pus accumulates behind the structures of the pharynx) and disease of the heart and kidneys.

The key points above are summarised in Table 13.4, which is reproduced from the section in the Assess and Classify chart booklet that tells you how to assess a child for sore throat.