Choking and suffocation Flashcards
What is some of the morbidity associated with choking events?
Oesophageal perforation
Anoxic brain injury
What is some of the morbidity associated with choking events?
Oesophageal perforation
Anoxic brain injury
What is the difference between choking, suffocation, entrapment or strangulation?
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.
What is traumatic asphyxia?
A mechanical fixation of the chest by fallen furniture for example.
What age group of children are at particular risk and why?
Where do choking events typically occur?
In the home
What are the most common choking objects?
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
What size of an object is considered a choking hazard?
Objects
What size of an object is considered a choking hazard?
Objects
What is the difference between choking, suffocation, entrapment or strangulation?
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.
What is traumatic asphyxia?
A mechanical fixation of the chest by fallen furniture for example.
What age group of children are at particular risk and why?
Where do choking events typically occur?
In the home
True/false: presence of siblings increases the risk of choking
true - possibly because there are more toys around and possibly because siblings are doing care activities such as feeding
What are the most common choking objects?
Food - round or cylindrical in shape, conforming to the contours of the airway: hot dogs, grapes, carrot slices, peanuts, seeds, hard candies
Balloons
Coins
What size of an object is considered a choking hazard?
Objects
What is the pattern of suffocation in infants?
Often in the sleep environment: becoming wedged, facial occlusion, overlying, entrapment with suspension and hanging.
What is the pattern of suffocation in older children?
Hanging during play
What is the recommendation for safe sleep environment?
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
What are some hazards not currently regulated by the Hazardous Product Acts?
Drawstrings on clothing
Toddler bed guardrails
Bunk beds
Window covering cords
True/false: there is nothing presently regulating the play spaces and playground equipment (risk of entrapment)
False: the Canadian Standards Association regulates this through guidelines for play spaces and playground equipment.
Endorsed by the CPS
What can we do as care providers?
Provide education re choking/suffocation/entrapment hazards and baby-proofing
Home visit
Support community health programs that distribute information
What are the recommendations re pacifiers?
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
What are the recommendations re toys with pull cords?
Pull cords should be
