Chapter 32: Pediatric Emergencies

Question 1

Which of the following statements is true concerning differences in anatomy between adults and children that influence treatment decisions?

• The proportionately larger diameter airway of the child is less easily obstructed by secretions.
• The proportionately larger tongue of the child is less likely to cause obstruction.
• The epiglottis is larger in the child than in the adult and is more likely to prevent aspiration.
• The child’s occiput is larger and rounder than an adult’s, requiring careful positioning.

Answer 1

• The child’s occiput is larger and rounder than an adult’s, requiring careful positioning.

Question 2

Fever in children is a common reason for parents to call for an ambulance. A fever can result from:

Answer 2

infection

Question 3

Head injuries are common in children because:

Answer 3

the size of the head is larger in relation to the body

Question 4

Children may have experienced a serious injury, even though there may be little or no outward signs, because:

Answer 4

their bodies can compensate better for significant blood loss

Question 5

At the scene of an unexplained infant death, or SIDS call, the EMT should:

Answer 5

carefully inspect the scene for signs of illness, the general condition of the house, and family interaction.

Question 6

The EMT is likely to encounter children with tracheostomy tubes, artificial ventilators, central IV lines, gastrostomy tubes, or shunts in the home environment because:

Answer 6

technology continues to improve and health care continues to focus on decreasing hospitalizations.

Question 7

Problems leading to cardiopulmonary arrest in children include:

Answer 7

foreign body obstruction, respiratory infection, and electrocution.

Question 8

Signs of respiratory distress in children include:

Answer 8

nasal flaring, grunting, wheezing or stridor, retractions, and tripod positioning.

Question 9

Respiratory failure is distinguished from respiratory distress by:

Answer 9

a decreased level of consciousness and developing cyanosis.

Question 10

he pediatric assessment triangle (PAT) is a structured assessment tool to rapidly determine the child’s condition using:

Answer 10

appearance, work of breathing, and circulation to the skin.

Question 11

Dehydration can present a serious problem to the infant or small child and should be suspected if:

Answer 11

the skin is loose and has no elasticity.

Question 12

Infancy is the _____.

Answer 12

first year of life

Question 13

The toddler is __-__ years of age

Answer 13

1 to 3 years of age

Question 14

Preschool-age children are ____.

Answer 14

3 to 6 years of age

Question 15

School-age children are ____.

Answer 15

6 to 12 years of age

Question 16

Adolescents are ______

Answer 16

12 to 18 years of age.

Question 17

The ____ is large relative to other structures, so it poses a higher risk of airway obstruction than in an adult.

Answer 17

tongue

Question 18

The airway in a child has a _____ than the airway in an adult and is therefore more easily obstructed.

Answer 18

smaller diameter

Question 19

A rapid heartbeat and blood vessel constriction help pediatric patients to compensate for _____

Answer 19

dec perfusion

Question 20

Children’s bones are more flexible and bend more with injury, and the ends of the long bones, where growth occurs, are ____ and may be ____ more easily.

Answer 20

weaker and may be injured

Question 21

You will need to carry special sizes of airway equipment for pediatric patients. Use a _____ measure to determine the approximately sized equipment for children.

Answer 21

pediatric resuscitation tap

Question 22

Signs of shock in children are ____, poor capillary refill time, and mental status changes. You must be very alert for signs of shock in a pediatric patient because they can decompensate rapidly.

Answer 22

tachycardia

Question 23

______ may be a sign of a more serious problem such as meningitis.

Answer 23

Febrile seizures

Question 24

The most common cause of dehydration in children is ____ and ____. Life-threatening diarrhea can develop in an infant in hours.

Answer 24

vomiting and diarrhea

Question 25

Fever is a common reason why parents or caregivers call 9-1-1. Body temperatures of ____ or higher are considered to be abnormal.

Answer 25

100.4°F (38°C)

Question 26

____ is the number one killer of children in the United States.

Answer 26

Trauma

Question 27

A victim of _____ will be pale or blue, not breathing, and unresponsive. He or she may show signs of postmortem changes, including rigor mortis and dependent lividity; if so, call medical control to report the situation.

Answer 27

sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS)

Question 28

Which age group commonly has stranger anxiety?

Answer 28

Toddlers

Question 29

Where should you obtain a pulse rate in an infant?

Answer 29

Brachial or femoral pulse

Question 30

What device should you use in patients with a respiratory rate of less than 12 breaths/min or more than 60 breaths/min?

Answer 30

Bag-valve-mask device

Question 31

What are the risk factors for SIDS?

Answer 31

Mother younger than 20 years, smoking during pregnancy, low birth weight