A 2-year-old presents with fever and otitis media. What is the recommended management by the nurse practitioner?

• A. Assess the child and refer to the ER
• B. Have him admitted to hospital for observation
• C. Start the child on seizure precautions
• D. Treat the otitis media and give education about fever management

Answer: (D)

When a toddler presents with fever and an ear infection, the focus is on relief of symptoms and appropriate infection treatment. The best approach is to manage the illness in the outpatient setting by providing analgesia for pain, antipyretics for fever, and starting antibiotic therapy as indicated by guidelines, along with clear education for the caregiver. This education covers how to dose fever reducers safely, how to monitor fever and pain, signs that would require recheck or urgent care, and when to return for follow-up. Hospital admission or ER referral isn’t needed for uncomplicated AOM, and starting seizure precautions isn’t relevant to this scenario.