Which of the following assessments should be performed immediately if a child exhibits decreased LOC?

When a child exhibits decreased level of consciousness (LOC), the priority is to assess factors that could threaten their immediate safety and well-being. Assessing oxygen and ventilation is critical because hypoxia—insufficient oxygen reaching the brain—can lead to further deterioration in consciousness and overall status. Establishing whether the child is breathing adequately and whether their oxygen levels are sufficient can guide immediate interventions, such as providing supplemental oxygen or assisting with ventilation if needed.

Glucose levels are also important to assess in this situation, as hypoglycemia can contribute to altered LOC. In pediatric patients, especially, quickly identifying and addressing metabolic causes is vital.

Immediate evaluation of these parameters focuses on stabilizing the child’s condition and can often lead to swift interventions that may restore or improve LOC, making this assessment a top priority.

Other assessments, such as checking blood pressure, respiratory rate, reflexes, motor skills, or performing a neurological assessment, may be important, but they would follow the immediate and critical assessment of oxygenation, ventilation, and glucose levels in this scenario.