25/10/2025
A 3-year-old with (thinner )hydrocarbon ingestion is admitted with respiratory distress.
His ABG shows:
pH 7.32
pCO₂ 48 mmHg
pO₂ 58 mmHg
HCO₃⁻ 22 mEq/L
Chest X-ray as below
What is the best initial management?
A. Start broad-spectrum antibiotics
B. Administer corticosteroids
C. Provide humidified oxygen and monitor saturation
D. Perform bronchoalveolar lavage