A child has ingested ibuprofen and is unconscious. Before contacting poison control, you should

• A. give milk or water to dilute the medication
• B. have the child drink lemon juice and vinegar to neutralize the ibuprofen
• C. give nothing to eat or drink
• D. force the child to throw up

Answer: (C)

When a child has swallowed a medication and is unconscious, the first priority is to protect the airway and prevent aspiration. Giving anything by mouth can lead to choking or inhaling liquid if they vomit, and you can’t predict how the ibuprofen will affect them. Milk or water won’t neutralize the drug, lemon juice and vinegar won’t help and can irritate the stomach, and forcing vomiting is dangerous when someone is unconscious. The safest immediate step is to keep nothing by mouth and call poison control or emergency services right away for instructions. While waiting for help, monitor breathing and be ready to perform rescue breathing or CPR if needed, and position the child on their side if you can do so safely to help keep the airway clear.