Final answer:
A pediatric patient who has experienced a drowning incident may exhibit a variety of symptoms including respiratory and neurological impairments. Swift and appropriate rescue and resuscitation efforts are critical for the patient's survival and recovery.
Step-by-step explanation:
A pediatric patient involved in a drowning emergency may present with symptoms such as possible cherry-red skin or cyanosis, confusion, nausea, gasping for air, seizures prior to death, metabolic acidosis, temperature instability, apnea, bradycardia, hypotension, feeding difficulty, irritability, limpness, seizures, bulging fontanel, stiff neck, opisthotonos, hemiparesis, and the situation can often be fatal. These presentations are the direct result of respiratory impairment due to submersion in liquid and can vary depending on the duration and severity of the incident.
Drowning remains the second leading cause of accidental death in U.S. children 12 years and younger, and it is important to dispel myths, such as the belief that it is too late to save an unconscious person in water. An unconscious individual, especially if the airway is still sealed by a muscular spasm, can have a good prognosis if CPR is administered promptly.