What intervention is recommended for a child experiencing severe hypoxemia?

In cases of severe hypoxemia, having the child assume a knee-to-chest position is an effective intervention. This position can help to optimize lung expansion and improve oxygenation by promoting better ventilation-perfusion (V/Q) matching in the lungs. By bringing the knees to the chest, the diaphragm is allowed to move more effectively, which can enhance airflow and improve the body’s ability to oxygenate blood.

Other options have less benefit in the context of severe hypoxemia. For example, encouraging walking can potentially increase the demand for oxygen and may exacerbate the child’s condition instead of providing needed support. A cooling blanket would not address the underlying issues related to oxygenation and might be suitable in cases of hyperthermia rather than hypoxemia. Instructing the child to breathe rapidly does not provide adequate ventilation and could lead to further respiratory distress, as rapid shallow breathing is often less effective at achieving adequate gas exchange.