A 50-year-old male with known epilepsy is witnessed to have a seizure while in a swimming pool. He is rescued from the water. He is now post-ictal wit...

Question

A 50-year-old male with known epilepsy is witnessed to have a seizure while in a swimming pool. He is rescued from the water. He is now post-ictal with a GCS of 10, breathing spontaneously at 18 breaths per minute, and SpO2 is 94% on high-flow oxygen. In addition to standard seizure management, what specific complication of water aspiration must be monitored for?

Accepted Answer

Secondary drowning (delayed pulmonary oedema) - the patient should be transferred to hospital for at least 4-6 hours of observation even if currently stable

Answer

No water-related complications occur if the patient is breathing normally

Answer

Water aspiration only causes harm if the patient was submerged for over 10 minutes

Answer

Hypothermia is the only concern

Answer

The patient can be discharged if neurological observations are normal for 30 minutes

uk-dipimc MCQ (SBA): Seizure in Water - Secondary Drowning