Scenario 1

Question

Mrs. Leonard calls the office because her three-year-old child has been stung. She thinks it was
a wasp, but she is not sure. She says he is having trouble breathing, is very restless, his head
hurts very badly, and his skin is becoming mottled and blue.
1. What is happening to the child?
2. If he is going into anaphylactic shock, what medication needs to be given immediately?
3. What instructions should be given to Mrs. Leonard?
Scenario 2
A patient rushes into the office with a severe burn to their left hand. They say that they were
deep-frying some fish and spilled the hot grease on their hand. Their skin is red and blistered.
1. Which class of burn is the patient suffering from?
2. What is another name for this degree burn?
3. What is the proper first aid?

Answer 1

Scenario 1

1. What is happening to the child? The child is likely experiencing an anaphylactic reaction due to the wasp sting. The symptoms of difficulty breathing, restlessness, a severe headache, and mottled blue skin suggest that he is in respiratory distress and potentially going into anaphylactic shock, a life-threatening reaction that requires immediate medical attention.

2. If he is going into anaphylactic shock, what medication needs to be given immediately? The medication that needs to be given immediately is epinephrine (adrenaline). This can be administered via an auto-injector (like an EpiPen) and acts quickly to reverse the effects of anaphylaxis, helping to alleviate symptoms such as swelling, difficulty breathing, and low blood pressure.

3. What instructions should be given to Mrs. Leonard? Mrs. Leonard should be instructed to:

   • Immediately call 911 or get the child to the nearest emergency room.
   • If the child has an epinephrine auto-injector and it's available, she should administer it according to the instructions.
   • Keep the child calm and lying down while waiting for emergency help, as movement can exacerbate symptoms.
   • Avoid giving the child anything to eat or drink until they are seen by a medical professional.

Scenario 2

1. Which class of burn is the patient suffering from? The patient is suffering from a second-degree burn (also known as a partial-thickness burn).

2. What is another name for this degree of burn? Another name for a second-degree burn is a partial-thickness burn.

3. What is the proper first aid? The proper first aid for a second-degree burn includes:

   • Immediately cool the burn under cool (not cold) running water for 10-20 minutes to reduce pain and heat. Alternatively, a clean, cool, wet cloth can be applied.
   • Do not use ice or very cold water, as this can further damage the skin.
   • Gently clean the burn with mild soap and water.
   • Cover the burn with a sterile, non-adhesive bandage or cloth (avoid using cotton, as it may stick).
   • Avoid popping any blisters, as this can lead to infection.
   • If the burn covers a large area or if the pain is severe, seek medical attention immediately.
   • Over-the-counter pain relief (such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen) may be given to help manage pain, according to package instructions.