Child abnormal breathing — DipIMC MCQ

Correct answer: A — P1 / immediate

Explanation lettering: C = shown as A · D = shown as C · E = shown as D · A = shown as E

C is correct: Abnormal breathing and poor perfusion in a non-walking child indicate immediate priority. A is less suitable because the stem does not describe persistent apnoea or injuries incompatible with life; B is less suitable because the patient has clinically significant illness or injury; D is less suitable because P3 is for delayed casualties, usually walking or physiologically stable; E is less suitable because P2 is urgent but not the best category for the physiology described. The most tempting alternative is therefore suboptimal because it either delays the time-critical pre-hospital intervention or sends the patient to the wrong level of care. The key DipIMC principle is focused cABCDE decision-making with early pre-alert, triage or retrieval escalation when the scene physiology demands it.

Reference: MIMMS; JESIP Joint Doctrine; JRCALC Major Incidents