Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) Basic Certification Practice Exam

In which patient demographic is epiglottitis most commonly seen?

1. Infants and toddlers

2. Teenagers

3. Adults over 65

4. Pregnant women

The correct answer is: Infants and toddlers

Epiglottitis is most commonly seen in infants and toddlers because their anatomy and immune systems make them more susceptible to this condition. In young children, the epiglottis, which is the flap that covers the trachea during swallowing, can rapidly swell due to infection, leading to significant respiratory distress. These age groups are particularly vulnerable to infections because their immune systems are still developing and they may not have been fully vaccinated against pathogens that cause epiglottitis, like Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib). This condition has become less prevalent in this demographic due to routine childhood vaccinations, but it can still occur, especially in unvaccinated populations. When considering other demographics, such as teenagers, adults over 65, and pregnant women, while they can experience epiglottitis, it is significantly less common compared to infants and toddlers. Their anatomical structures and immune responses differ, generally presenting a lower risk for this particular infection as they often have received vaccinations or have developed some immunity over time.