Steps in emergency triage assessment and treatment

Step 1. Check for Emergency signs for Airway or Breathing Problem;

• Start immediate treatment if “E” Signs
• Manage the airway and breathing and give oxygen.
Step 2. Quickly check whether the child is in shock, or Coma or convulsing.
• Start immediate treatment if “E” Signs
• Give oxygen
• Determine the nutritional status of the child
• Start IV fluid resuscitation using appropriate fluids
• In trauma, if there is external bleeding, compress the wound to stop further
blood loss.
• Give IV glucose for hypoglycemia and/or an anti-convulsant for convulsing.
Step 3. Quickly check whether has diarrhoea with severe dehydration.
• Start immediate treatment if “E” Signs
• Give oxygen
• Determine the nutritional status of the child
• Start appropriate resuscitation fluid for Severe Dehydration due to
diarrhoea.
If emergency signs are found:
• Call for help from an experienced health professional if available
• Do not delay starting treatment.
• Stay calm and work with other health workers
• Identify all underlying problems and prepare a treatment plan.
• Carry out emergency investigations (blood glucose, blood smear,
hemoglobin [Hb]).
• Send blood for typing and cross-matching if the child is in shock, severely
anemic or bleeding significantly.
After giving emergency treatment, proceed immediately to assessing, diagnosing
and treating the underlying problem.