Unwell Infant and Child - Component 10 - PDF

Unwell Infant and Child - Component 10 Anatomical and Physiological Differences Little children have very big heads, an infant head is already 2/3 the size it will be in adulthood. Large tongue Small nostrils and nasal breather up to 6 m...

Unwell Infant and Child - Component 10 Anatomical and Physiological Differences Little children have very big heads, an infant head is already 2/3 the size it will be in adulthood. Large tongue Small nostrils and nasal breather up to 6 months which can cause serious respiratory distress if the nostrils fill with mucus Loose teeth can be a cause of a foreign body obstruction in the airway, especially as the infant/child airway is much smaller than that of an adult. ©Department of Clinical Education & Standards  Unwell Infant and Child - Component 10 Airway differences: – Large prominent (occiput) – Small face – Narrow nostrils opening of the nostrils 5 with recession, this is a sign during laboured inspiration. of serious respiratory compromise. ©Department of Clinical Education & Standards  Unwell Infant and Child - Component 10 P.A.T. - Circulation to Skin Colour – Pallor (white or pale skin, indicates shunting of blood away from the skin) – Cyanosis (blue discolouration of skin caused by inadequate oxygenation) NOTE: Cyanosis in – Mottling (abnormal vessel tone in hands and feet may be capillary bed, causing patchy areas normal under 2 months of pallor & cyanosis) of age or when exposed to a cold environment. ©Department of Clinical Education & Standards  Unwell Infant and Child - Component 10 Paediatric Primary Survey Airway Breathing – Check Page for Age Circulation , Pulse, Cap refill, Skin warmth– Check Page for Age Disability – AVPU – Pupils – Blood sugar Expose Frequently reassess Should take < 2 minutes ©Department of Clinical Education & Standards  Unwell Infant and Child - Component 10 Signs of Deterioration Increasing work of breathing (recession, RR ) Cyanosis Bradycardia (pre-terminal sign in a sick child) Altered mental status / drowsiness Hypo / hypertonia Dehydration / signs of shock Hypoglycaemia ©Department of Clinical Education & Standards