A 30-month-old shows signs of nasal congestion and cough. What is the most appropriate plan of care?

Supportive care for symptoms is the most appropriate plan of care for a 30-month-old child showing signs of nasal congestion and cough. In young children, especially those under five years old, respiratory infections are often viral in nature. The primary approach in these cases focuses on managing symptoms rather than aggressive interventions.

Supportive care can include ensuring the child remains well-hydrated, using saline nasal drops to relieve congestion, providing a humidified environment, and using over-the-counter medications as recommended for comfort, such as acetaminophen for fever or discomfort.

This approach is effective because, in the majority of cases, these symptoms will resolve on their own without the need for antibiotics, which are not effective against viral infections. Furthermore, the use of cough medicines is generally not recommended for young children due to potential side effects and lack of adequate evidence supporting their use in this age group.

In summary, emphasizing supportive care enables the management of symptoms while allowing the child's immune system to fight off the viral infection naturally.