Drowning

Question 1

Define drowning

Answer 1

Drowning begins with respiratory impairment due to submersion (victim’s airway under the surface of the water) or immersion (water splashes over the victim’s face).

Question 2

What are the proper terms for drowning classifications?

Answer 2

The preferred terms to use now are “drowning without morbidity,” “drowning with morbidity” and “drowning with death.”

Question 3

Risk factors for drowning

Answer 3

• Alcohol use is common among older drowning victims. Pre-existing conditions including seizures and pre-existing cardiac disease also increase risk of drowning. Trauma may coexist as a result of diving or falls.
• Most common with toddlers or teenage boys

Question 4

Initial survey of drowning victims

Answer 4

respiratory arrest is the most common cause of cardiac arrest in drowning victims, the traditional A-B-C approach should be used for drowning victims instead of the AHA’s new C-A-B approach.

Question 5

D/C

Answer 5

Healthy patients who have been rescued from drowning and have no respiratory symptoms, clear lungs and normal mental status may not need any further care.

Question 6

Diagnostic imaging

Answer 6

Chest radiography should be obtained to evaluate for aspiration. Even in patients with mild symptoms, this can be important for use as a baseline.

Question 7

On what day would pneumonia develop in a drowning patient?

Answer 7

Days 3-4. Once pulmonary edema resolves. Prophylactic antibiotics are not indicated.