Question

Billy is a 14-month-old male who presents to the ED in respiratory distress. The caregiver states that Billy was sitting in his high chair eating a hot dog when he had a sudden onset of respiratory distress.

Subjective Data

Sudden onset of “coughing” while eating
Appears anxious and will not let go of caregiver

Objective Data

Vital signs: T 36.8° C P 140 R24 BP 110/60, SPO2 95%
Stridor noted on inspiration

Questions:

1. In adults the primary cause of cardiac arrest is a cardiac problem. What is the usual cause of cardiac arrest in children?
2. What part of Billy’s primary survey is abnormal?
3. What should the nurse do in this clinical situation? Prioritize actions.

Answer 1

The main cause of cardiac arrest in children are the repiratory failure or airway obstruction

In case billy, the primary survey shows abnormalities mainly in respiratory system​​​​​There is a flowchart showing the immediate intervensions taken by a nurse for the management of a child with respiratory dystress