Ryanair Initial Practice Exam

What should parents do during a febrile convulsion if a child has a temperature?

1. Remove the child’s clothes to cool

2. Encourage the child to drink cold water

3. Monitor the child’s weight

4. Apply ice packs to the child

The correct answer is: Remove the child’s clothes to cool

During a febrile convulsion, it is essential for parents to help regulate the child's temperature to prevent further discomfort or complications. By removing the child's clothes, the aim is to allow heat to escape from the body, effectively helping to cool them down safely. This method is commonly advised because overheating can exacerbate the child's condition and lead to more severe reactions. It is a practical and immediate step that can be taken to alleviate the fever. Other options, while they may seem reasonable in theory, are not recommended in this context. Encouraging a child to drink cold water could lead to choking or is not a reliable method of cooling down when experiencing a convulsion. Monitoring the child’s weight is not relevant or practical during a medical emergency like a febrile convulsion, as the primary focus should be on safety and temperature control. Applying ice packs can be harmful; it could create localized cold stress, which may further complicate the situation rather than helping to cool the entire body effectively. Thus, allowing the child to cool by removing their clothing is the most appropriate action to take.