Question

In a child with serious signs and symptoms of hypovolemic shock, the quickest and best way to establish vascular access is via which route?

1) Intravenous (IV) route
2) Intramuscular (IM) route
3) Subcutaneous (SC) route
4) Intraosseous (IO) route

Answer 1

The quickest and best way to establish vascular access in a child with hypovolemic shock is via the intraosseous (IO) route, which allows for immediate administration of fluids and medications into the bone marrow.

Step-by-step explanation:

In a child with serious signs and symptoms of hypovolemic shock, the quickest and best way to establish vascular access is via the intraosseous (IO) route. In emergency situations where intravenous (IV) access is difficult or time-consuming, IO access provides a quick and efficient alternative. The IO route involves inserting a needle directly into the marrow of a bone, typically the proximal tibia, which allows for the immediate administration of fluids and medications.

Hypovolemic shock is a type of circulatory shock caused by excessive loss of blood volume. It can be due to hemorrhage or dehydration, common in children due to severe vomiting or diarrhea. In these urgent situations, restoring blood volume quickly is crucial, and IO access can be life-saving.

While other routes like intravenous, intramuscular (IM), and subcutaneous (SC) are also used for administering medications, they are not as fast in achieving the desired circulatory effect as the IO route, especially in a shock scenario.