A pre-hospital team attends a patient who has been immersed in flood water for 20 minutes. After rescue, the patient is breathing spontaneously but ha...

Question

A pre-hospital team attends a patient who has been immersed in flood water for 20 minutes. After rescue, the patient is breathing spontaneously but has a reduced GCS of 12 and is coughing. Per the updated JRCALC drowning guidance, what is the key ongoing risk after initial rescue?

Accepted Answer

Secondary drowning - delayed pulmonary oedema developing hours after the immersion event

Answer

Hypothermia is the only ongoing risk

Answer

Aspiration pneumonia within the first hour

Answer

Electrolyte disturbance from swallowing water

Answer

No ongoing risk if the patient is breathing spontaneously

uk-dipimc MCQ (SBA): Secondary Drowning

A pre-hospital team attends a patient who has been immersed in flood water for 20 minutes. After rescue, the patient is breathing spontaneously but has a reduced GCS of 12 and is coughing. Per the updated JRCALC drowning guidance, what is the key ongoing risk after initial rescue?