A 4-year-old boy has swallowed a button battery 30 minutes ago. He is currently asymptomatic. What is the urgency of this situation?...

Question

A 4-year-old boy has swallowed a button battery 30 minutes ago. He is currently asymptomatic. What is the urgency of this situation?

Accepted Answer

This is an emergency - button batteries can cause severe oesophageal burns within 2 hours and require urgent removal via endoscopy

Answer

Moderate urgency - arrange outpatient X-ray within 48 hours

Answer

Administer activated charcoal to coat the battery

Answer

Induce vomiting immediately to expel the battery

Answer

Low urgency - the battery will pass naturally in the stool

uk-dipimc MCQ (SBA): Button Battery Ingestion