Ask about cough, nasal congestion, wheeze and smoke exposure in the weeks before anaesthesia, not only about current fever. A child with a recent infection or reactive airways has a more irritable airway on the day.
Discuss with the team beforehand the airway plan, rescue drugs and whether the case can be done with a less stimulating device.
- Ask about infection in the last two weeks, wheeze and household smoke.
- Check the child's recent asthma control and treatment.
- Have bronchodilator and rescue drugs drawn up or immediately available.
- Agree an airway plan and a clear threshold for postponing elective cases.
Why it matters
Most paediatric airway events occur in children whose risk was visible before induction.
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