For a child with a tracheostomy assessed to be in distress, what is a crucial action?

In the scenario of a child with a tracheostomy in distress, ensuring the tracheostomy tube is clear and manually ventilating the child if necessary is critical. This action directly addresses potential airway obstruction, which is a primary concern when assessing respiratory distress in someone with a tracheostomy.

The trach tube can become blocked by secretions or other obstructions, making it essential to check and clear the tube to ensure that air can flow effectively. Manual ventilation may be required if the child is not breathing adequately or at all, ensuring that oxygen is delivered promptly.

While calling for additional help and reassessing vital signs are also important components of emergency management, they do not directly resolve the immediate problem of airway blockage. Administering medication can be significant in some situations, but it is not a priority in this case where airway patency is a primary concern. Thus, ensuring the trach tube is clear and providing ventilation support are the most crucial actions to take in this urgent situation.