Question

EMTs are called for an unresponsive infant. When they arrive, they find the mother holding her child. She advises that the child became limp, blue, and stopped breathing. Assessment reveals that the infant is conscious and crying, and has good muscle tone and pink skin color. The mother states that she will take her child to the doctor. The EMTs should:

Select one:
A. contact law enforcement personnel and advise them that they are suspicious for child abuse.
B. inform that mother that, although the event seems to have resolved, transport via EMS is advisable.
C. allow the mother to take her child to the doctor, but inform her that the risk for SIDS is high.
D. advise the mother that the danger has past and that she can take the child to the pediatrician.

Answer 1

EMTs should recommend EMS transport to a hospital for the infant who recovered from being unresponsive and blue because of the severity of these symptoms and the potential for underlying conditions that require immediate medical evaluation and care.

Step-by-step explanation:

In the scenario described, the EMTs are presented with an infant who was previously unresponsive, limp, and blue but is now conscious, crying, with good muscle tone and normal skin color. Based on the assessment, it appears that the infant has recovered from the immediate distress. However, given the severity of the symptoms described by the mother, it is advisable for the EMTs to suggest EMS transport to the hospital for further evaluation. Such symptoms could be indicative of a serious underlying condition that warrants professional medical attention. Furthermore, the criteria of skin color, heart rate, reflex, muscle tone, and respiration, known as the Apgar score, while typically assessed at birth, provide insight into the infant's current condition.

In this case, the infant appears to have good scores based on the mother's description post-recovery, but the event described by the mother could be suggestive of a condition like SIDS or another respiratory or cardiac event. Recommending EMS transport ensures that the child receives comprehensive medical evaluation and care, which could be lifesaving if the event recurs or if there is an underlying health issue. Law enforcement should not be contacted solely based on this event unless there is further evidence indicating potential abuse. Allowing the mother to take the child to the doctor without EMS transport may delay necessary medical evaluation, and advising the mother that the danger has passed without more information might be premature.