Illustrated First Aid Guide - Marcia Wendorf [25]
6. If the chest still doesn’t rise, examine the baby’s mouth for an obstruction. If an object is seen, sweep it out with your finger. If the airway seems blocked, perform first aid for a choking infant.
7. Imagine a horizontal line drawn between the baby’s nipples, then place two fingers of one hand just below this line in the center of the baby’s chest.
8. Gently compress the chest about one-third to one-half the depth of the chest.
9. Press about 100 to 120 times a minute.
10. After every 30 chest compressions, give two breaths.
11. Continue CPR until you see signs of life or until emergency medical personnel arrive.
Fainting
Fainting occurs when the blood supply to the brain is momentarily inadequate, causing the victim to lose consciousness for a brief period of time.
Fainting can be minor or a sign of a serious disorder. Therefore, treat loss of consciousness as a medical emergency until the cause is known. If you feel faint:
• Lie or sit down
• If sitting, put your head between your knees
Treatment:
1. Place the fainting victim on his or her back, elevating their legs above their heart level or about 12 inches (30 centimeters).
2. Check the victim’s airway to make sure it is clear, and watch for vomiting.
3. Check for signs of breathing and circulation, and if absent, begin CPR immediately.
4. Call 911 and continue CPR until help arrives or the victim begins to breathe.
5. Restore blood flow to the brain by raising the victim’s legs above the level of their head, and by loosening belts, collars or other constrictive clothing.
6. If the person was injured by falling during fainting, treat any wounds as described in Cuts and Scrapes.
Fever
Fever is one of your body’s reactions to an infection. The average adult oral temperature is 98.6 F (37 C), and the average adult rectal temperature is 1 degree F (about 0.5 degree C) higher. Temperatures vary during the course of the day and are highest around 4 p.m. and lowest around 4 a.m. Young children and infants often run very high temperatures, and in newborns, a subnormal temperature may be a sign of serious illness.
It isn’t necessary to treat fevers below 102 F (38.9 C). For fevers over that, administer aspirin, ibuprofen, or acetaminophen to adults. Never give aspirin to children, and do not give ibuprofen to infants younger than 6 months.
Seek immediate medical attention if any of these signs or symptoms accompany a fever:
• Severe headache
• Severe swelling of the throat
• Unusual skin rash
• Unusual eye sensitivity to light
• Stiff neck and pain when the head is bent forward
• Mental confusion
• Persistent vomiting
• Difficulty breathing or chest pain
• Extreme listlessness or irritability
• Abdominal pain or pain when urinating
Today, there are several types of thermometers to choose from. Some quickly use the ear canal, and are especially useful for children and older adults. Most older thermometers can be used rectally, orally or under the arm (axially). Use a digital thermometer rather than the older glass and mercury thermometers because of the potential for mercury exposure or ingestion.
Oral temperatures are taken by placing the thermometer under the person’s tongue, then having them keep their mouth closed for 3 minutes. To take an infant or child’s rectal temperature:
1. Place a dab of petroleum jelly or other lubricant on the thermometer’s bulb.
2. Lay the child down on his or her stomach, and carefully insert the thermometer bulb 1/2 to 1 inch into the rectum.
3. Hold the thermometer in place for 3 minutes, do not let go of the thermometer while it’s inside the child.
Treatment:
1. For infants younger than three months, call the doctor for a rectal temperature in excess of 100.4 F (38 C).
2. For infants older than three months, call the doctor for a rectal temperature in excess of 102 F (38.9 C).
3. For newborns, seek medical attention of the child’s rectal temperature