Question

Dispatch has reported a near drowning incident at a lake. It is a hot summer day and the family was out boating on the lake when the boat sank. Everyone in the family was rescued after about 30 minutes. The only patient is a 4-year-old boy. He was pulled from the water with a weak pulse, and he was not shivering like the rest of the family. His mother says that he is normally very talkative, but he has not spoken since the boat sank. What is the likely cause of this child's condition? What are your treatment priorities

Answer 1

The 4-year-old boy likely suffers from hypoxic brain injury following the near drowning incident, with potential secondary drowning or pulmonary edema. Treatment priorities include warmth, oxygen, potential CPR, and rapid transfer to a medical facility for further treatment and monitoring.

Step-by-step explanation:

The likely cause of the 4-year-old boy's condition after the near drowning incident is hypoxic brain injury and possibly secondary drowning or pulmonary edema. The fact that the child is not shivering, has a weak pulse, and is unusually quiet suggests that he may be experiencing the effects of hypoxia, or lack of oxygen to the brain, which is common in drowning incidents. His weak pulse and altered mental status indicate that he could be in shock, particularly hypovolemic shock, which can occur after near drowning due to fluid shifts and the body's response to cold stress and stress from the incident.

Immediate medical treatment is crucial. Treatment priorities include keeping the child warm, administering oxygen, and initiating cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) if the child's breathing or heart rate seems compromised. It's important to transport the child to a medical facility as soon as possible, where he can be monitored for any delayed symptoms of secondary drowning and receive needed supportive care. The muscular spasm of the larynx may have prevented water from entering the lungs, which increases the effectiveness of CPR. Although brain death can occur within minutes of oxygen deprivation, there is still a chance of recovery, especially in young children who have drowned in cold water. Therefore, immediate and effective resuscitation efforts should be made.