Unit MPII 002
Managing paediatric
illness and injury
(Part 1)
MPII 002
Managing paediatric illness and injury
1 credit
This part of the unit looks at first aid for infants and children:
•
•
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•
with a suspected fracture and a dislocation
with a head, a neck and a back injury
with conditions affecting the eyes, ears and nose
with a chronic medical condition or sudden illness.
Connector
What is the difference between fracture and
a dislocation?
Be prepared to give feedback!
Research activity
Each group to research the
following type of fracture:
Group A: Greenstick fracture
Group B: Open fracture
Group C: Closed fracture
Group D: Hairline fracture
Common types of fractures
1.1
• Greenstick fracture: the bone bends and
splits but does not break (just like a green
stick). There is little damage to the surrounding
tissue.
• Open fracture: the broken end of the bone
breaks through the skin and may stick out.
• Closed fracture: the bone is broken but does
not damage the skin.
• Hairline fracture: the bone is only partially
fractured. These fractures can be difficult to
detect on x-rays.
How to manage a fracture
1.2
• Do not attempt to straighten a broken limb.
• Do not give anything to eat or drink
Leg injury
Keep the injured limb supported.
Make a splint
Arm
and
collarbone
Immobilise the
affected area
Fracture
Signs of shock
Lie the child down.
Raise their legs above the level of their heart.
Make sure you keep the child warm
Treat wound
Control the
bleeding and
loosely cover
the wound
with a
dressing
How to manage a dislocation
1.3 & 1.4
• The principles of managing a dislocation are the same
as for managing a fracture.
• Get the child to hospital, immobilise and support the
affected area.
Head injuries
2.1
Dazed and
confused
?
Dizziness
and nausea
?
Concussion
Brief loss of
consciousness
Severe headache
?
Skull fracture
?
Blow to
the head
Bruise or
wound on head
Cerebral
compression
High temperature
and flushed face
?
?
?
?
?
?
?
What are the missing
signs and symptoms?
Managing a head injury
2.1
If conscious
If unconscious
Help to lie down – do not turn head
Open airway and check for
breathing
Control any bleeding from scalp
Be prepared to give chest
compressions and rescue breaths
Dial 999 for ambulance
Dial 999 for ambulance
If there is discharge from ear, cover Monitor and record vital signs until
with sterile dressing
help arrives
Monitor and record vital signs until
help arrives
In case of spinal injury, make sure child does not move. Medical staff
will confirm or rule out spinal injury.
Foreign bodies in eyes, ears and nose
3.1
Eyes
Ears
• Try to remove with swab
• Try flushing out
• If metal or glass, take
to hospital immediately
• If an insect, try flushing out
• Do not remove if object is
hard, take to hospital
Nose
• Do not try to remove
• Take to hospital immediately
Other common eye injuries
3.2
Injuries
Signs and
symptoms
Treatment
Chemical burn
• Red, watering eye
• Pain and difficulty in
opening eye
• Wash chemical out
immediately
• Cover injured eye
• Call 999 for
ambulance or take to
hospital
Black eye
• Bruising of skin
around eye bones
• Place an eye pack
over eye
• Consult doctor if
there appears to be
serious damage
Chronic medical conditions
4.1
Condition
Signs and symptoms
Treatment
Sickle cell anaemia
• Suddenly becomes unwell
• Severe abdominal/chest pain
• Headache/neck stiffness
• Contact parents/carers –
urgent hospital treatment
needed
Diabetes – a
hypoglycaemic attack
(hypo)
• Weakness or hunger
• Confused/aggressive behaviour
• Loss of concentration/
coordination
• Rapid shallow breathing
• Sweating, dizziness, glazed
eyes, headache, trembling or
shakiness
• Stay with child
• Sit them down and reassure
• Give sugary drinks and
sweet food
• If no quick recovery, call
ambulance and place child
in recovery position
Asthma
• Shortness of breath
• Wheezing
• Feeling of tightness in the chest
• Make child comfortable and
encourage slow breathing
• Do not let child lie down
• Help child to use their
inhaler
Meningitis
4.2
Babies under 12 months
• Bulging fontanelle.
• High temperature.
• Floppy or stiff body.
• Blotchy pale skin.
• High-pitched moaning
cry.
• Red/purple spots that do
not fade under pressure
(glass test).
• Difficult to wake up.
• Refuses to feed.
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Older children
Neck stiffness and joint
pains.
Neck arching backwards.
Cannot tolerate light.
Red/purple spots that do
not fade under pressure.
Get medical help quickly
Febrile convulsions (1)
4.2
Signs and symptoms
• Child may be flushed and sweaty and forehead will feel
very hot to the touch.
• Child may stiffen their limbs which will twitch or shake;
this can go on for up to five minutes.
• Child may arch their back and clench their fists .
• Child may hold their breath, making their face look blue.
• Child may be incontinent of urine or faeces.
• Child may become unconscious from the violence of the
twitching.
Febrile convulsions (2)
Treatment
• Remove any clothing and open the window.
• Lay the child down on his/her side. Provide support with
a cushion or rolled-up blanket.
• Ask a colleague to call for a doctor at once. Call an
ambulance if the convulsion lasts for longer than five
minutes.
• Use tepid water to sponge over the child. The convulsion
will stop once the child has cooled down.
• Contact the child’s parents or carers to let them know
what has happened.
• Once recovered, encourage the child to drink plenty of
water and give the recommended dose of paracetamolbased syrup. This will help to reduce body temperature
and relieve discomfort.
Worksheet 1
Work with person sitting beside you and complete
worksheet 1.
Be Prepared to give feedback!
Review
Ask the person beside you…