A client with Streptococcus pharyngitis reports high fever, difficulty swallowing and a muffled voice. Which complication should the nurse suspect?
Explanation & Rationale
A. Nasal polyps: Nasal polyps are soft, noncancerous growths in the nasal passages or sinuses, often linked to chronic inflammation, asthma, or allergies. They do not cause sore throat, fever, or difficulty swallowing, and are not associated with strep pharyngitis.B. Laryngeal polyps: Laryngeal polyps typically present with hoarseness due to vocal cord involvement but are not associated with high fever, painful swallowing, or infections like streptococcal pharyngitis. They are usually non-infectious and develop gradually.C. Foreign body obstruction: A foreign body obstruction causes sudden onset symptoms such as choking, coughing, or respiratory distress. This does not align with a progressive infectious presentation like fever and muffled voice, which suggests a localized infection.D. Peritonsillar abscess: A peritonsillar abscess is a common complication of untreated or severe streptococcal pharyngitis. It presents with high fever, difficulty swallowing (dysphagia), muffled or "hot potato" voice, and unilateral throat pain due to pus collection near the tonsils.