Pertussis: The Daily PANCE Blueprint

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Pertussis: The Daily PANCE Blueprint

A 6-week-old infant is brought to the pediatrician's office by her mother, who reports that the baby has had a persistent cough for the past week. The cough has worsened and is now accompanied by episodes of post-tussive vomiting. The infant was born at term and has not yet received any vaccinations. On examination, the baby appears alert but has paroxysms of severe coughing followed by a high-pitched "whoop" during inhalation. What is the most appropriate next step in the management of this patient?

A. Administer intravenous fluids and observe
B. Initiate treatment with azithromycin and update immunizations
C. Administer albuterol nebulizer treatment
D. Perform chest X-ray and initiate treatment with ceftriaxone
E. Initiate treatment with amoxicillin and schedule for chest CT

Answer and topic summary

The answer is B. Initiate treatment with azithromycin and update immunizations

The infant is presenting with classic symptoms of pertussis, also known as whooping cough. Pertussis is a highly contagious respiratory illness caused by the bacterium Bordetella pertussis. In infants, it can lead to severe complications such as pneumonia, seizures, and even death. Early treatment with a macrolide antibiotic like azithromycin is crucial to reduce the severity of symptoms and prevent transmission. Additionally, updating the infant’s immunizations is essential for long-term protection.

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Smarty PANCE Content Blueprint Review:

Covered under ⇒ PANCE Blueprint Pulmonary ⇒ Infectious Pulmonary Disorders ⇒ Pertussis

Also covered as part of the Internal Medicine EOR and Emergency Medicine EOR topic lists

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