Paramedic National Registry Practice

The appropriate treatment for a child with croup and low O2 saturation is oxygen therapy. Children with croup may experience airway swelling that leads to stridor, difficulty breathing, and low oxygen saturation levels. When a child presents with low O2 saturation, the immediate goal is to ensure adequate oxygenation while addressing the underlying cause of the symptoms. Oxygen therapy is essential in this scenario because it helps to elevate the oxygen saturation levels, thus preventing hypoxia and its associated complications. Oxygen can be administered via various methods, such as nasal cannula or face mask, depending on the child’s age and comfort level. Monitoring their respiratory status and ensuring they receive the necessary supplemental oxygen is crucial for maintaining good oxygenation during the acute phase of croup. While racemic epinephrine might be part of the treatment protocol, especially in severe cases of croup with stridor at rest, it is typically indicated for immediate airway swelling but does not address the hypoxemia as directly as oxygen therapy does. Oral corticosteroids may be administered later to help reduce inflammation, but they take time to exert their effect and would not immediately resolve low oxygen saturation. Inhaled bronchodilators are not effective for croup as it primarily involves inflammation rather than bronch