Life-threatening emergencies

Life-threatening emergencies:Life-threatening emergencies


Dry, cover and keep warm



Initial assessment: note time (start clock)
• Colour (pink, blue, white)
• Tone
• Breathing (?apnoea)
• Heart rate (with stethoscope).
If not breathing CONTROL AIRWAY
• Neutral position of neck/head
• Towel under shoulders
• SUPPORT BREATHING
• 5 breaths of 2–3 seconds duration (blow off valve set at
30–45 cmH2O)
• CONFIRM RESPONSE
• Visible chest movement or HR increases and improvement
in colour.
If no response
• Check head position, try jaw thrust
• Repeat 5 breaths.
If no response
• Inspect airway, observed suction (ideally with laryngoscope)
• Insert oropharyngeal airway
• Consider intubation
• Repeat 5 breaths.
If chest expands: check heart rate.
If HR < 60 and not increasing give chest compressions
(one-third depth)
• Confirm chest expansion
• 3 chest compressions to one inflation.
Reassess: if no response consider venous access and drugs.

Drugs: IV, UVC
Epinephrine (adrenaline): 10 micrograms/kg (0·1 ml/kg 1 in
10 000 or 0·01 ml/kg 1 in 1000)
Epinephrine: 1 in 1000 = 1 mg/ml; 1 in 10 000 = 100
micrograms/ml
Glucose: 5 ml/kg of 10%
Sodium bicarbonate: 1 mmol/kg (2 ml/kg of 4·2%)
Fluid resuscitation: 10 ml/kg 0·9% saline or colloid or blood.
Only epinephrine: 100 micrograms/kg, can be given via
endotracheal tube (that is 1 ml/kg of 1 in 10 000).