An appropriate intervention for a dried pea lodged in a child’s nose past the first turbinate is to:

An appropriate intervention for a dried pea lodged in a child’s nose past the first turbinate is to:

• A. Refer to ENT
• B. NaCl flush
• C. Attempt removal with forceps
• D. Close ipsilateral nares and encourage sneezing

Answer: (A)

When a dried pea is lodged in the nose beyond the first turbinate, the safest course is to refer to ENT for removal under direct visualization. Objects located past the first turbinate are not easily reached or safely removed with blind attempts; trying to flush or grasp with forceps without proper visualization can push the object deeper, cause mucosal injury, bleeding, or even aspiration. An ENT team can use nasal endoscopy and appropriate instruments to visualize and remove the object safely, often under sedation if needed. In contrast, saline irrigation is typically reserved for anterior, easily accessible foreign bodies, and forcing sneezing or sealing the other nostril doesn’t reliably address a deeper obstruction.

When a dried pea is lodged in the nose beyond the first turbinate, the safest course is to refer to ENT for removal under direct visualization. Objects located past the first turbinate are not easily reached or safely removed with blind attempts; trying to flush or grasp with forceps without proper visualization can push the object deeper, cause mucosal injury, bleeding, or even aspiration. An ENT team can use nasal endoscopy and appropriate instruments to visualize and remove the object safely, often under sedation if needed. In contrast, saline irrigation is typically reserved for anterior, easily accessible foreign bodies, and forcing sneezing or sealing the other nostril doesn’t reliably address a deeper obstruction.