Level 3 Paediatric
First Aid
Pre course study
material
Learning and
Development
Pre course study guide
Please study the following tables carefully.
The tables list conditions covered on the Paediatric first aid syllabus. They are
grouped into conditions relevant to;
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•
•
•
•
•
The airway and breathing
The airway and circulation
Miscellaneous conditions
Injuries to muscles bones and joints
Disorders of the brain
Effects of heat and cold on the body
Each condition is explained by;
Definition - explains the meaning of the condition.
Cause - gives the common causes or triggers for the condition occurring.
Recognition - explains the common signs or symptoms associated with the condition.
Treatment - outlines suggested considerations and recommendations when treating
the condition.
Notes - Additional information related to the condition.
Please be aware that the information is for guidance purposes only, is not exhaustive
and must be supported by the relevant classroom based training.
Disorders of the airway and breathing
Condition
Definition
Cause
Recognition
Treatment
Notes
Allergic reaction in
the lungs.
Dust, fumes, animal
hair, temperature
changes.
Sit upright, use
inhaler, remain calm
and reassure
Asphyxia due to
submersion in water
Fallen in, non
swimmer, thin ice,
seizure, head injury
etc.
Dry cough, long
wheezy breathing,
and difficulty in
speaking, distressed
or anxious.
Wet, coughing,
exhausted,
unconscious.
999/112:
Severe distress, 1st
attack or
medication not
effective.
Beware of
secondary drowning
Body conducting live
current
Playing around
electrical appliances,
faulty equipment
Make the area safe,
break the supply,
treat burns, CPR
Beware high voltage
electricity
Inhaled poison
entering the lungs
Chemical spill, small
fire, fumes etc
Unconscious/cardiac
arrest, Body
spasms, entry/exit
burns
Difficulty in
breathing, confusion
or headache, burns
to airway
DR help AB, remove
from source/cause
treat burns
Be aware of your
own safety
Massive allergic
reaction in the body
Allergy - fish and
shellfish, nuts and
seeds, stings etc.
Swelling to throat,
neck, lips and
tongue. Red blotchy
skin. Anxiety/fearful.
Minor - anti histamine, urgent
999/112. Treat
airway or breathing.
Epi pen with
appropriate training.
Abnormal electrical
disturbance in the
brain
Stress, excitement,
bright lights.
Body spasms,
arched back, breath
holding, puffy red
face.
Remove excessive
clothing, sponge
down with tepid
water.
999/112 longer than
5 minutes or
repeated within 3
minutes. Injury or 1st
episode.
Asthma
Drowning
Electric shock
Inhaled gas or
smoke
Anaphylactic
Shock
Seizures
DR Help AB, reach
or throw - don't go.
Be prepared to
resuscitate, 999/112
Disorders of the airway and circulation
Condition
Definition
Recognition
Treatment
Notes
Airway has partial
obstruction
Eating or placing an
object into mouth + a
sharp intake of
breath
Partial - Loud
cry/cough, watery
eyes & distressed
appearance.
Baby - back
blows/chest thrusts.
Child - back
blows/abdominal
thrusts. 3 cycles
999, AB, recovery or
CPR.
Seek medical
attention if
abdominal thrusts
have been used
Airway has a full
obstruction
Eating or placing an
object into mouth + a
sharp intake of
breath
Full - Unable to cry,
unable to cough,
distressed
appearance
Baby - back
blows/chest thrusts.
Child - back
blows/abdominal
thrusts. 3 cycles
999, AB, recovery or
CPR.
Seek medical
attention if
abdominal thrusts
have been used
Loss of circulating
fluids
Bleeding, burns,
vomiting diarrhoea
Pale, cold clammy
skin, rapid shallow
breathing, dizzy and
sick.
Treat cause; lay
down raise legs,
loosen tight clothing,
reassure, cover with
a blanket, 999/112
hospital will be
required.
Nil by mouth, no
direct heat
Choking
Choking
Shock
Cause
Disorders of the brain
Condition
Febrile
Convulsion
Fractured skull
Concussion
Compression
Meningitis
Definition
Cause
Recognition
Treatment
Violent muscle
twitching
Clenched fists
Fever, hot flushed skin
Pad around child
Remove outer clothing
Sponge with tepid
water
999
Notes
Do not overcool
Seizures in young
children
Reaction to high
body temperature
A break in the bony
skull
An impact or blow
to the head
Bruising around the
eyes. Bleeding or fluid
loss from
ears/eyes/nose.
Treat open wounds,
Monitor, recovery
position if
unconscious.
Brain has been
shaken
Direct blow to the
jaw/head - or fall
from height
Signs of shock
Mild headache
Sick
Memory loss
999
Make comfortable
Check level of
response
Treat any injuries
Beware of
compression
Recent head injury
Slow deep breathing
Headache
Flushed skin,
Unequal pupils
Urgent 999/112,
recovery if
unconscious
May develop over four
days
Bacterial or Viral
infection
Flu like symptoms,
violent vomiting,
severe headache, stiff
neck, dislike of bright
lights, seizures, skin
rash or bruise
999/112 urgently Reassure
Do not wait for all the
signs to appear
Pressure exerted
on the brain
Inflammation of the
linings of the brain
Miscellaneous Conditions
Condition
Definition
Cause
Recognition
Burns
Damage to tissues
due to excess
heat/cold
Dry, scalds, radiation,
friction, electrical,
cold,
chemicals
Anything that can
cause temporary or
permanent harm
Pancreas failing to
make or secrete
insulin.
Inhaled, Injected,
Absorbed, Swallowed
Foreign object in
ear/nose
Chemical splash
Bright lights
Foreign object
Dust etc
Object pushed in to
ear/nose
Superficial - red and
tender. Partial
thickness - blisters.
Full thickness charred.
Various - be aware
of breathing
difficulties.
Hypo - pale, sweaty,
confused. Hyper red and flushed,
breath smells of
acetone.
Red
Watery
Pain
Blurred vision
Visible object,
witnessed incident
Puncture wounds
causing harm
Insect or plant sting,
animal or human bites
Swelling and pain,
visible marks
Leave alone, sit
upright, ensure child
doesn't push object
further in,
reassurance
Brush/scrape sting
off
Red blood cells
become distorted,
blocking blood
vessels.
Getting cold or wet,
over exertion.
Temperature changes
(hot to cold.) Stressed
or upset.
Pain in bones and
joints, vomiting,
difficulty in breathing
Rest, follow care
plan. Contact
parents.
Poisoning
Diabetes
Eye Injuries
Foreign Bodies in
Ear/nose
Bites and Stings
Sickle cell
Recent damage to
an eye
Virus, hereditary, diet.
Treatment
Notes
Cold water for 10
minutes
Remove jewellery
Dress (Clingfilm)
Chemical burnsflood for 20 minutes
DRAB. Find out
what's been taken.
Sips of milk or water
for corrosive
substances
Unsure, treat as
hypo.
Hypo - cold sugary
drink, carbs.
Hyper, medical
assistance.
Face a light source,
Examine eye
Irrigate if necessary
Do not touch
coloured part of eye
or anything sticking
to eye surface.
Do not use tweezers
In signs of
emergency 999/112
Bone, joint and muscle injuries
Condition
Definition
Cause
A crack or a break in a
bone
Direct/indirect or a
twisting force.
Bone has come out of
the joint
Same as above
Support
Immobilise
999/1112 transport to
hospital
Reassure
Same as above
Injury to a ligament
Same as above
Same as above
R est
I ce
C ompress
E levate
Injury to a muscle or a
tendon
Same as above
Same as above
Same as above
Damage to the spinal
cord
Head injury, force or
impact.
Pain in neck or back,
loss of feeling or power,
pins and needles in
limbs.
Keep still, recovery
position if unconscious,
CPR if required.
Sprains
Strains
Spinal injury
Crushing injury
Treatment
Loss of power, unnatural
movement, pain
deformity, selling,
bruising, protrusion or
bony tenderness.
Same as above
Fractures
Dislocations
Recognition
limbs crushed by a heavy Wrong place, wrong
object.
time.
Visual.
Less than 15 minutes,
remove. More than 15
minutes, leave and call
999/112.
Effects of heat and cold
Condition
Definition
Cause
Recognition
Body core
temperature has
cooled to 35o or less
Wet clothing or cold
water. Cold or windy
conditions.
Cold tired or
confused. Slow heart
rate and breathing.
Initial shivering then
muscle stiffness.
Warm room, warm
drinks, wrap in
blankets. Replace
wet clothing.
999/112 if severe.
No direct heat.
Loss of salt and
water through
sweating.
Exercising in
heat/humidity
Pale, cold and
clammy, rapid heart
rate and breathing,
confusion and
weakness
Sips of fluid, lay
down, legs raised,
shady area
Beware of heat
stroke
Body is overheating
to 40o+ that brain
damage can occur
Sweating
mechanism fails
Red, hot flushed
skin. Slow heart rate
and breathing.
Headache, lowering
of responses.
Remove outer
clothing, sponge
down.
Wrap in wet sheets,
replace with dry
when cooled,
999/112
Do not over cool
Hypothermia
Heat Exhaustion
Heat Stroke
Treatment
Notes