Drowning (cont.)
IN THIS ARTICLE
Exams and Tests
A drowning victim may be without symptoms, with no vital signs (no breathing or heartbeat), or somewhere in between these extremes.
- Medical history and
physical exam
- Observation of symptoms and complications
- Laboratory tests
- Blood gas to determine blood acid-base balance and oxygenation
- Blood chemistry tests to evaluate
electrolytes, blood sugar, and kidney function
- Toxicology to determine alcohol or illicit drug use
- Blood gas to determine blood acid-base balance and oxygenation
Imaging
- Chest x-ray to look
for fluid in the lungs
- Neck x-ray to look for
fractures
- Head CT to look for structural damage to the brain
Monitors
- ECG to look for
irregular heart activity
- Monitor for oxygenation
Next: Drowning Treatment »
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