Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words - 383

Assignment Example Most of the victims of drowning usually experience â€Å"near drowning.† This is seen as temporal survival after a victim aspirates fluids into the lungs. Thus, drowning should be critically taken care of as it poses fatal effects to the brain, plus other vital systems. Respiratory therapists are thus expected to first evacuate the patient if still in the water, keeping in mind the state of the breathing and looking out for associated injuries. They should also arrange for fast transport where indicated and avoid resuscitating if demised is obvious (Golden, Tipton and Scott, 216). Secondly, they should do a primary survey where the airway, breathing, circulation, and deformities (ABCD’s) are checked. Evacuation from waters, cardio pulmonary resuscitation stabilizing of the cervical-spine and its alignment ensured suctioning of water, secretions and foreign bodies, stabilizing and reducing movements of the body especially the head. All management of hypothermia has proven significance in assisting submersion victims. Thirdly, ensure that all near- drown victims are taken to a hospital as delayed pulmonary complication or mortality may occur. Concurrent injuries, scuba-diving associated problems also other disorders amenable to field treatment should be also considered. Elevate the backboard head 30 degrees if there is loss of consciousness, tilt it to the left side to facilitate drainage of secretions and water. Ensuring close monitoring of the comorbidities, emesis, convulsions, respiratory distress, respiratory/cardiac arrest and behavior changes have proven to improve prognosis (Golden, Tipton and Scott, 216). One distinctive response is the mammalian diving reflex, where the physiological response of the body to submersion in cold water includes shutting down the body parts selectively so that energy could be conserved for survival. It is believed that the facial contact