Xylocaine to Freeze During Unpleasant Nasopharyngeal Swabs

Inclusion:

• 6-17 years old inclusively
• Children for whom a NPS was ordered

Exclusion:

• Children presenting with the following acute conditions, which could either prevent the lidocaine from being properly administered, or pose a risk for the patient as increased absorption of the medication might occur:

• Nasal or airway burns, trauma or major anomaly
• Cardiorespiratory compromise
• Children for whom an informed consent could not be obtained

• Any other life-threatening condition or priority one patient requiring emergency support
• Language barrier
• Children presenting with conditions that could prevent their ability to reliably report their pain:

• Severe intellectual disability
• Severe pain upon presentation
• Administration of opiates prior to the NPS
• Children presenting with the following chronic conditions, which could either prevent the lidocaine from being properly administered, or pose a risk for the patient:

• Hypersensitivity/allergy to the medication or a known component
• Methemoglobinemia
• G6PD deficiency
• Familial malignant hyperthermia
• Pseudocholinesterase deficiency
• Severe hepatic impairment
• Severe cardiac condition or use of antiarrhythmic medication
• Risk of airway aspiration