Question

8 yo unresponsive to painful stimuli s/p administration of rectal diazepam

VS: Resp 10 shallow, Pulse ox 94% on 2 L NC
Assessment: Child snoring, poor chest rise, poor air entry bilaterally

What action should you take next?

Answer 1

In this scenario, a child who is unresponsive to painful stimuli after receiving rectal diazepam is showing signs of respiratory distress. Immediate interventions to ensure adequate ventilation and open airway are required. Steps include checking for airway obstructions, administering oxygen, and initiating CPR if needed.

Step-by-step explanation:

The given scenario describes a child who is unresponsive to painful stimuli after receiving rectal diazepam. Upon assessment, the child is snoring, has poor chest rise, and poor air entry bilaterally. These signs and symptoms suggest respiratory distress. Therefore, the next action to take would be to initiate immediate interventions to ensure the child's airway is open and they are receiving adequate ventilation.

Steps to take would include:

1. Check the child's airway for any obstructions, such as foreign objects or swollen tissues, and clear them if present.
2. Administer oxygen via a mask or nasal cannula to increase the child's oxygen saturation level.
3. If the child remains unresponsive and their breathing does not improve, initiate cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) with chest compressions and rescue breaths.

It's important to assess the child's response to interventions and consider other potential causes of their condition, such as underlying medical conditions or drug interactions, which may warrant additional medical interventions.