Question

A 4-year-old child suddenly collapses in the playroom of the facility. A healthcare provider observes the event and hurries over to assess the child. The healthcare provider completes which assessment first?

Select the correct answer to this question.

Primary assessment
Focused assessment
Rapid assessment
Secondary assessment

Answer 1

When a child collapses, the healthcare provider must perform a primary assessment focused on the ABCs (airway, breathing, circulation) to address any immediate life-threatening conditions. Subsequently, a detailed secondary assessment is completed if no immediate threats are found, which helps identify the underlying cause of the collapse.

Step-by-step explanation:

When a 4-year-old child collapses, the healthcare provider must promptly assess the situation. The most immediate action required is to perform a rapid assessment of the child's condition, focusing on critical criteria such as airway, breathing, and circulation, commonly referred to as the ABCs. This is known as the primary assessment.

If the child's airway is blocked, breathing assistance is ineffectual, or circulation is compromised, immediate intervention is critical. Assuming no immediate life-threatening conditions are identified, the healthcare provider would then proceed with a more detailed secondary assessment, looking for additional signs and symptoms to help pinpoint the cause of the collapse.

For a child in a playroom setting with no obvious trauma, the cause of collapse could vary greatly, ranging from a neurological event, as noted by the sudden loss of consciousness, to other potential emergencies such as cardiac issues, severe allergic reactions, metabolic imbalances, or even unnoticed trauma.