A mother arrives at the hospital emergency department with her child, in whom a diagnosis of epiglottitis is documented. Which prescription, if written by the health care provider, should the nurse question?

A. Obtain a throat culture: Attempting to visualize or culture the throat in a child with epiglottitis is dangerous and can trigger laryngospasm, leading to sudden airway obstruction. Any procedure that manipulates the airway should be avoided. B. Administer humidified oxygen: Humidified oxygen helps ease breathing and reduce airway irritation. It is a supportive measure that can be safely administered without disturbing the airway and is commonly used in cases of respiratory distress such as epiglottitis. C. Administer acetaminophen for fever: Fever is a common symptom of epiglottitis, and acetaminophen can be safely used to reduce temperature and increase comfort. It poses no risk to airway integrity and supports symptomatic relief. D. Obtain axillary temperatures: Using the axillary route avoids disturbing the oral cavity, making it a safe and appropriate method for monitoring temperature in a child with suspected or confirmed epiglottitis. It minimizes the risk of triggering airway complications.