Question

Caregivers carry in a 2-year-old into the emergency department who fell out of a second-story window. The patient is awake and crying with increased work of breathing and pale skin. Which of the following interventions has the highest priority?

a Padding the upper back while stabilizing the cervical spine

b Applying a tight-fitting nonrebreather mask with an attached reservoir

c Establishing an IV and administering a 20 mL/kg bolus

d Preparing for drug-assisted intubation

Answer 1

answer:B applying a tight fitting non rebreather mask with an attached reservoir

Falls can result in skull fractures and intracaranial injury, placing the child at risk for respiratory depression. Securing the airway is of utmost importance by providing a rebreather mask since this child is awake, with laboured breathing and palor.

option A- padding the upper back while stabilizing the cervical spine is part of the onsite emergency management after fall to stabilize the spine for transfer

option C- establishing Iv and administering a 20 ml/kg blous is a priority after airway and breathing have been looked into

option D - preparing for drug assisted intubation should be done only in case of child not able to oxygenate, or has lost repiratory drive