If a child has a Glasgow Coma Scale score of 3 and signs indicative of potential beta-blocker ingestion, what vital signs would be concerning?

The scenario describes a child with a Glasgow Coma Scale score of 3, indicating profound altered consciousness or unresponsiveness. In the case of potential beta-blocker ingestion, significant concerns arise regarding the child's cardiovascular status. Beta-blockers can lead to decreased heart rate (bradycardia) and hypotension (low blood pressure) due to their mechanism of action, which includes reducing the heart's ability to contract effectively and slowing the heartbeat.

Given the context, a score of 3 on the Glasgow Coma Scale paired with beta-blocker ingestion suggests a very high concern for central nervous system and cardiovascular compromise. In this case, low heart rate and low blood pressure signal a critically unstable situation that could lead to inadequate perfusion and potential cardiovascular collapse.

Monitoring vital signs in such a context is crucial for recognizing and managing potential life-threatening situations, as the correlation between neurological function and vital signs can reveal the severity of the child's condition. Therefore, a combination of low heart rate and low blood pressure would be particularly concerning for a child who might have ingested a beta-blocker, as it showcases the direct impact on both cardiac function and systemic circulation in the context of severe neurological impairment.