CPR/Choking Emergencies

Running Head: Week 3 Application                                                                                      1

Week 3 Application

Section 3: CPR and Choking Emergencies

Andrea Tubbs-Lampkin

December 21, 2014

Walden University EDUC 1005

Instructor Roberta Marshall

 Week 3 Application                                                                                                                2

Create two scenarios: one in which a child is choking and another in which a child needs CPR. In each of your scenarios, include who is involved and where it is occurring (for example, a 5-year-old in a preschool setting has stopped breathing and is apparently choking on a piece of food). Then outline the proper emergency procedures for dealing with each situation (see pages 179–180 in your text).

          In this scenario, one of my 5-year-old girl students begins to choking on an apple peeling during snack. The proper emergency procedure for dealing with this situation is to act immediately and remain calm.  Stay at the scene, giving help and reassurance to the victim and other children present. If another teacher is present, assign them the task of keeping the other children calm (Robertson, 2013, p.179). Assesses the child with a head- to- toe- check, I would not move the child unless a life threating situation exists, such as immediate danger from fire. If you must move the child, you should drag the child by the legs in order not to compromise the neck and spine if an injury is present (Robertson, 2013 p.179).   In this situation don't you know that the child is choking?

           I will check to see if the child is coughing forcefully; encourage the child to continue coughing. If the child is unable to cough, speak or breathe, immediately I will begin the Heimlich maneuver on the child. First, I will lean the child forward and give 5 back blows with the heel of your hands between the shoulder blades. Second, give 5 quick abdominal thrusts. Place the thumb side of your fist against middle of the stomach just above the bell button. Grab your fist with your other hand, repeat 5 back blows and abdominal thrust until the object is forced out, the child can breathe or cough forcefully (American Red Cross). If the child becomes unconscious, immediately send someone to call 911 and begin CPR. After a choking incident it is important for the child to be checked out by medical personnel - swelling can occur that could block the airway again.

Week 3 Application                                                                                                                    3

            In my second scenario, a 6-year-old student has stopped breathing during lunch, after eating a peanut butter cookie. In this situation, this child had a food allergic reaction to nuts. I will act immediately and remain calm. I will gently tap or shake the child’s shoulders and call his name in a loud voice. If the child is unresponsive, send someone to call 911 and get an automatic external defibrillator, if available. If not or alone, shout for help and begin CPR until the 911 arrives and notify the child’s parent (Robertson, 2013 p. 182). If the child has a known nut allergy a better plan would include having Benedryl and an epi-pen on hand to assist the child.  CPR is generally not effective if an allergy is causing the airway to swell shut.

Next, summarize why advance planning is often the best way to respond to or prevent an emergency situation and the kinds of training (e.g., CPR or first aid training) you believe are needed in order to prevent or positively resolve such emergencies.

          Advance planning is an effective way to prevent choking or allergic reaction to food. It helps teachers to identify the correct procedure on how to handle a choking situation or allergic reaction to food. Adults need to educate themselves on child safety and emergency situations related to children. Adults can do this by taking CPR and first aid training for infants/children/adults.

Finally, describe any other steps adults must take to ensure they are prepared to handle these kinds of crises, including such information as first aid supplies, family emergency contact information, and so on.

          There are several steps adults can follow to ensure they are prepared to manage these types of crises. Adults can avoid buying toys that are choking hazardous for children. It is important for adults when preparing types of food that can cause choking must be properly cut or cooked. For example, when serving grapes, oranges, or apples, cut them in fours removing the peeling on oranges/apples.

Week 3 Application                                                                                                                       4

When preparing food for children, it is important for adults to know if a child has an allergic reaction to a food and check the ingredients on all foods before serving it to the children.

References

American Red Cross: Prepare for Emergencies with American Red Cross First Aid, CPR and Automated External Defibrillator (AED) Courses
    http://www.redcross.org/services/hss/courses/aed.html

Robertson, C. (2013). Safety, nutrition, and health in early education (5th ed.). Belmont, CA: Wadsworth/Cengage Learning.