At the start of an illness, a child will manifest symptoms. There is no serious illness with any warning. Timely treatment can prevent an illness from getting worse. The question is when is the time to bring a child with symptoms to emergency care?
You can tell when an emergency is a true emergency when it is threatening a child’s life or may cause serious harm. Emergency treatment should be sought at once. Injuries brought about by motor vehicle-related injuries, poisoning, burns or smoke inflation, choking, nonfatal drowning, electric shocks, firearms, among others, should all be given prompt emergency attention. It is crucial to bring the child to the Emergency Room immediately.
For cases of illnesses, observe the child for signs and symptoms such as if the child is acting strangely or becoming withdrawn or less alert, if there is increase trouble in breathing, blue or purple-color lips, large or deep cuts or burns, bleeding that does not stop, seizure, unconsciousness or any change in level of consciousness, confusion, severe head ache, vomiting after a head injury, major mouth or facial injuries, increasing severe persistent pain, and unresponsiveness or lowered responsiveness when you talk to the child.
When a child swallows a suspected poison or another person’s medication even without symptoms, he/she should also be brought to the Emergency Room immediately. Do not make the child vomit. Instead, give him/her syrup of ipecac, make him/her gag, or give him/her saltwater.
During the emergency situation, it is crucial to remain calm, know what needs to be done, and call for help immediately. If there is bleeding, apply pressure to the bleeding area immediately with the use of a clean cloth to prevent possible infection to the wound. In case of seizure, place the child on a carpeted floor, turn the head to the side, and never leave the child alone until help arrives.
Remember to keep yourself informed on what to do during an emergency care. Be observant, alert, and calm. Always call for help immediately when a child’s life may be in danger or when the child is seriously hurt or ill.
REFERENCES:
“Ensuring that all children receive appropriate care in a health care emergency.”EMSC National Resource Centre. Retrieved on June 16, 2016 at http://www.childcare.com/emergencycare.pdf
Gauche-Hill M. et al (2004)“APLS:the Pediatric Emergency Medicine Resource.”American Academy of Pediatrics, American College of Emergency Physicians. Jones & Bartlett Learning, 2004 p527.ISBN 0763733164
“Guidelines for Care of Children in Emergency Hospitals” Children’s National Organization. Retrieved on June 16, 2016 at http://childrensnational.org/404?requested=%2ffiles%2fpdf%2femsc%2fpubres%2fguidelines_for_care_of_children_in_the_ed.pdf
By: Mary Edwina R. Paguio | Nurse II | DepEd- Schools Division Office of Bataan
