Choking in the Unconscious Child
Alternate Names : Heimlich Maneuver in the Unconscious Child
What are the treatments for the injury?
First aid for an unconscious child who has choked includes:
checking for signs of circulation, such as normal breathing, coughing, or
movement in response to stimulation
contacting the
emergency medical
system immediately
opening the child's mouth by grasping the tongue and lower jaw between your
thumb and fingers and lifting. Only if you see the object should you gently
sweep your index finger in a hooking motion deeply into the child's mouth to
remove it.
starting cardiopulmonary resuscitation, or CPR, if the child has no signs of
circulation. Use 5 chest compressions for every 1 mouth-to-mouth rescue
breath.
placing the child in a side-lying position if he or she starts breathing
and monitoring closely
staying with the child until medical help arrives
What are the side effects of the treatments?
The chest compressions of CPR can cause
vomiting, injuries to internal organs, or broken ribs. Vomiting can
be a problem if the vomit is caught in the airway and inhaled into the lungs.
None of the procedures may work, and the child may still choke, remain
unconscious, or possibly die.
What happens after treatment for the injury?
Anytime a child chokes, medical attention should be sought since the object
may have been inhaled into the lung. This can cause wheezing, persistent
cough, or
pneumonia.
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