Choking and suffocation

Question 1

What is some of the morbidity associated with choking events?

Answer 1

Oesophageal perforation

Anoxic brain injury

Question 2

What is some of the morbidity associated with choking events?

Answer 2

Oesophageal perforation

Anoxic brain injury

Question 3

What is the difference between choking, suffocation, entrapment or strangulation?

Answer 3

Choking: something in the airway blocking it

Suffocation: external object blocking the part of the airway externally (plastic bag, pillow at nose/mouth)

Strangulation: external constriction around neck

Entrapment: head/neck is caught in a place that interferes with breathing. Can cause suffocation, strangulation or asphyxia.

Question 4

What is traumatic asphyxia?

Answer 4

A mechanical fixation of the chest by fallen furniture for example.

Question 5

What age group of children are at particular risk and why?

Question 6

Where do choking events typically occur?

Answer 6

In the home

Question 7

What are the most common choking objects?

Answer 7

Food - round or cylindrical in shape, conforming to the contours of the airway: hot dogs, grapes, carrot slices, peanuts, seeds, hard candies
Balloons - latex
Coins

Question 8

What size of an object is considered a choking hazard?

Answer 8

Objects

Question 9

What size of an object is considered a choking hazard?

Answer 9

Objects

Question 10

What is the difference between choking, suffocation, entrapment or strangulation?

Answer 10

Choking: something in the airway blocking it

Suffocation: external object blocking the part of the airway externally (plastic bag, pillow at nose/mouth)

Strangulation: external constriction around neck

Entrapment: head/neck is caught in a place that interferes with breathing. Can cause suffocation, strangulation or asphyxia.

Question 11

What is traumatic asphyxia?

Answer 11

A mechanical fixation of the chest by fallen furniture for example.

Question 12

What age group of children are at particular risk and why?

Question 13

Where do choking events typically occur?

Answer 13

In the home

Question 14

True/false: presence of siblings increases the risk of choking

Answer 14

true - possibly because there are more toys around and possibly because siblings are doing care activities such as feeding

Question 15

What are the most common choking objects?

Answer 15

Food - round or cylindrical in shape, conforming to the contours of the airway: hot dogs, grapes, carrot slices, peanuts, seeds, hard candies
Balloons
Coins

Question 16

What size of an object is considered a choking hazard?

Answer 16

Objects

Question 17

What is the pattern of suffocation in infants?

Answer 17

Often in the sleep environment: becoming wedged, facial occlusion, overlying, entrapment with suspension and hanging.

Question 18

What is the pattern of suffocation in older children?

Answer 18

Hanging during play

Question 19

What is the recommendation for safe sleep environment?

Answer 19

Firm tight fitting mattress
no soft bedding
No sleep accessories 
No loose parts
Needs to have permanent label with manufacturers name, model number, date of manufacture, instruction for assembly and warning statement about safety
Sleep on back

Question 20

What are some hazards not currently regulated by the Hazardous Product Acts?

Answer 20

Drawstrings on clothing
Toddler bed guardrails
Bunk beds
Window covering cords

Question 21

True/false: there is nothing presently regulating the play spaces and playground equipment (risk of entrapment)

Answer 21

False: the Canadian Standards Association regulates this through guidelines for play spaces and playground equipment.
Endorsed by the CPS

Question 22

What can we do as care providers?

Answer 22

Provide education re choking/suffocation/entrapment hazards and baby-proofing
Home visit
Support community health programs that distribute information

Question 23

What are the recommendations re pacifiers?

Answer 23

Use one piece pacifiers
Replace Q2months and look out for damage
Never tie pacifier to neck
use clips with short ribbons 
Switch to a teething ring if chewing on pacifier

Question 24

What are the recommendations re toys with pull cords?

Answer 24

Pull cords should be

Question 25

Is the car seat a safe place for babies to sleep?

Answer 25

No

Question 26

Once the baby is mobile, is there anything you need to change about the sleep environment?

Answer 26

Remove mobiles and suspended toys

Make sure crib is placed away from window blinds or cords

Question 27

True/false: Plastic bags are a hazard?

Answer 27

True - source of choking

You should tie them in a knot before storing them

Question 28

True/false: toy boxes can be hazards?

Answer 28

Yes - kids can get stuck in them. Anything that a kid can get into that has a lid is a hazard. Ensure there are air holes and a lightweight lid with good supporting hinges