| Abstract: | Background and purposeA peritonsillar abscess (PTA) is the most common deep neck space infection. Surprisingly, there are no clinical practice guidelines to guide nurse practitioners (NPs) caring for patients with a PTA. This risks inconsistencies in practice and the potential for poor patient outcomes. The purpose of this article is to equip NPs with information to accurately diagnose and appropriately manage patients with a PTA. This article describes the most common characteristics of the patient who presents to outpatient providers with unilateral throat pain consistent with a diagnosis of PTA. Accurate diagnosis improves patient safety and prevents inadequate care by implementing research-based management.MethodsAs part of a quality improvement project, a retrospective analysis was performed on medical record data of 100 patients aged 19 to 59 diagnosed with PTAs at a private outpatient otolaryngology practice. The data were analyzed to look at the most common characteristics of PTA.ConclusionsFindings demonstrated that patients with PTA experienced difficulty controlling oral secretions, where patients with phlegmon did not. A larger number of patients with PTA also experienced lymphadenopathy.Implications for practiceIntervening early with accurate diagnosis and initiation of antibiotics and steroids is essential in the treatment of PTA. When symptoms suggest surgical intervention, the NP should promptly refer the patient to otolaryngology to improve outcomes. Close monitoring of the patient with a PTA improves patient safety by decreasing the likelihood of further airway obstruction and to ensure symptoms continue to improve. |
