Resuscitation in Children
Posted on November 20, 2008
Filed Under child care |
The body’s vital organs need a continuous supply of oxygen. If any part of the process by which oxygen is carried to body cells and tissues goes wrong, unconsciousness may result. Air must be inhaled to supply oxygen to the blood, and the oxygenated blood must be pumped around the body by the heart. If the brain is deprived of oxygen for more than three minutes, it will begin to fail. If the heart fails, death will occur unless emergency action is taken. Resuscitation is necessary if, for whatever reason, your child has stopped breathing or if his pulse has stopped .
If your child has lost consciousness and isn’t breathing, he’s at risk of brain damage and heart failure. You need to assess his condition quickly in order to know what first-aid treatment to give. If he’s unconscious but still breathing and has a pulse, then you should call for help and place him in the recovery position. If he’s unconscious and not breathing but has a pulse, you will need to give rescue breaths. If he’s not breathing and has no pulse, you must give chest compressions with rescue breaths .
THE RECOVERY POSITION
An unconscious child who is still breathing and has a regular pulse should be placed in this position to keep the airway open and to allow liquids to drain from the mouth. You should not place your child in the recovery position if you suspect a fracture.
- lf your child is lying on his back or side, kneel to one side of him. Straighten his legs and gently place the arm nearest you at right angles to his body with the elbow bent.
- Ensure that the head is tilted back throughout the procedure so that the airway remains open. Bring the other arm across the chest and place the back of the hand so that it lies against the cheek.
- Holding your child’s hand to his cheek, grasp the far thigh and pull the knee up. Keep the foot flat on the ground and place it next to the nearer knee.
- Roll your child over into a resting position with his knee bent and his head resting on his hand.
ASSESSING A TODDLER
Check for consciousness
See if your child is conscious by shaking him gently and pinching him. Keep calling his name. If he doesn’t respond, call for help immediately.
Open the airway
Lay your child down on his back on a firm surface such as the floor or a table. Open the airway by putting two fingers under your child’s chin and lifting the jaw. Tilt the head back by placing your other hand on his forehead.
Check breathing
Look, listen, and feel for signs of breathing. Look along the chest and abdomen for movements, listen for sounds of breathing, and feel for your child’s breath on your cheek. If he is breathing, give him two rescue breaths, then check his pulse .
Check the pulse
See if your child’s heart is still beating by placing your fingers just in front of the large muscle at the side of the neck under the jaw. If there’s no pulse, give him one minute of chest compressions and rescue breaths , call an ambulance, then continue.
Tags:assessment, education, preschool, programs school careers term
Comments
Leave a Reply