Chapter 1

Question 1

Apnea

Answer 1

The cessation of breathing for more than 20 seconds with or without cyanosis, decreased muscle tone, or bradycardia

Question 2

Bradypnea

Answer 2

A slower than normal rate of breathing for the patient’s age

Question 3

Capnograph

Answer 3

A device that provides both a numeric reading and a waveform of carbon dioxide concentrations in exhaled gases

Question 4

Capnography

Answer 4

The process of continuously analyzing and recording carbon dioxide concentrations in expired air

Question 5

Capnometer

Answer 5

A device that measures the concentration of carbon dioxide at the airway opening at the end of exhalation

Question 6

Capnometry

Answer 6

A numeric reading of exhaled CO2 concentrations without a con- tinuous waveform

Question 7

Crackles

Answer 7

Abnormal breath sounds produced as air passes through airways containing fluid or moisture (formerly called rales)

Question 8

Fontanels

Answer 8

Membranous spaces formed where cranial bones intersect

Question 9

Grunting

Answer 9

A short, low-pitched sound heard as the patient exhales against a partially closed glottis; it is a compensatory mechanism to help maintain the patency of the alveoli and prolong the period of gas exchange

Question 10

Gurgling

Answer 10

A bubbling sound that occurs when blood or secretions are present in the upper airway

Question 11

Head bobbing

Answer 11

An indicator of increased work of breathing in infants; the head falls forward with exhalation and comes up with expansion of the chest on inhalation

Question 12

Minute volume

Answer 12

The amount of air moved in and out of the lungs in one minute, determined by multiplying the tidal volume by the ventilatory rate

Question 13

Nasal flaring

Answer 13

Widening of the nostrils on inhalation; an attempt to increase the size of the nasal passages for air to enter during inhalation

Question 14

Pediatric assessment triangle (PAT)

Answer 14

A rapid, systematic approach to forming a general impression of the ill or injured child that focuses on three main areas:

(1) appearance,
(2) work of breathing,

and (3) circulation to the skin.

Question 15

PQRST

Answer 15

An acronym used when evaluating patients in pain:

Precipitating or provoking factors, 
Quality of pain, 
Region and radiation of pain, 
Severity, 
and Time of pain onset

Question 16

Primary assessment

Answer 16

A hands-on assessment that is performed to rapidly find and treat life-threatening conditions by evaluating the nervous, respiratory, and circulatory systems; also called a primary survey, initial assess- ment, or ABCDE assessment

Question 17

Pulse oximetry

Answer 17

A noninvasive method of monitoring the percentage of hemoglobin that is saturated with oxygen

Question 18

Purpura

Answer 18

Red-purple nonblanchable discolorations greater than 0.5 cm in diameter; large purpura are called ecchymoses

Question 19

Respiratory distress

Answer 19

A clinical condition characterized by increased work of breathing and a rate of breathing outside the normal range for the patient’s age

Question 20

Respiratory failure

Answer 20

A clinical condition in which there is inadequate oxygenation, ventilation, or both to meet the metabolic demands of body tissues

Question 21

Retractions

Answer 21

Sinking in of the soft tissues above the sternum or clavicle, or between or below the ribs during inhalation

Question 22

SAMPLE

Answer 22

Acronym used when obtaining a patient history;

Signs and symptoms (as they relate to the chief complaint),
Allergies,
Medications,
Past medical history,
Last oral intake,
and Events surrounding the illness or injury

Question 23

Seesaw breathing

Answer 23

An ineffective breathing pattern in which the abdominal muscles move outward during inhalation while the chest moves inward; a sign of impending respiratory failure

Question 24

Sniffing position

Answer 24

A position in which the patient sits upright and leans forward with the chin slightly raised, thereby aligning the axes of the mouth, pharynx, and trachea to open the airway and increase airflow

Question 25

Snoring

Answer 25

Noisy, low-pitched sounds usually caused by partial obstruction of the upper airway by the tongue

Question 26

Stridor

Answer 26

A harsh, high-pitched sound heard on inhalation that is associated with inflammation or swelling of the upper airway often described as a high-pitched “seal bark” sound; caused by disorders such as croup, epiglottitis, the presence of a foreign body, or an inhalation injury

Question 27

Tachypnea

Answer 27

A rate of breathing that is more rapid than normal for the patient’s age

Question 28

TICLS

Answer 28

A mnemonic developed by the American Academy of Pediatrics that is used to recall the areas to be assessed related to a child’s overall appearance;

Tone, 
Interactivity, 
Consolability, 
Look or gaze, 
and Speech or cry

Question 29

Tidal volume

Answer 29

The volume of air moved into or out of the lungs during a normal breath

Question 30

Tripod position

Answer 30

A position in which the patient attempts to maintain an open airway by sitting upright and leaning forward supported by his or her arms with the neck slightly extended, chin projected, and mouth open

Question 31

Wheeze

Answer 31

High- or low-pitched sound produced as air passes through airways that have been narrowed because of swelling, spasm, inflammation, secretions, or the presence of a foreign body

Question 32

Petechiae

Answer 32

Reddish-purple nonblanchable discolorations in the skin less than 0.5 cm in diameter