A 2-year-old unvaccinated boy is rushed to the emergency department with concerns for respiratory distress. His mother reports that he awoke in his usual state of health and was playing alone in the playroom when mom heard him have a coughing fit. Since that time, he has been choking and coughing, has had inspiratory stridor, and developed significant increased work of breathing. What is the most likely etiology of his stridor

airway  obstruction from foreign body

Explanation:

The 2-year old was playing alone in the playroom. Children at this age are curious and it's likely he put something in his mouth and it's lodged in his throat, obstructing his aiway. The obstruction would explain the stridor, choking, and coughing. Telling you the child is unvaccinated is a distractor, it is important to recognize the child woke up healthy in his normal state of health.

answer:

the mother

explanation: