Emergencies

Question 1

list the broad categorical causes of paediatric emergencies?

Answer 1

Shock

Respiratory distress

The drowsy or unconscious or seizing child

Surgical emergencies

Question 2

what are the causes of shock in a child?

Answer 2

§ Hypovolaemia
	□ Sepsis 
	□ Dehydration (gastroenteritis)
	□ DKA
	□ Blood loss - trauma 

§ Maldistribution of fluid
□ Sepsis - septic shock
□ Anaphylaxis - anaphylactic shock

§ Cardiogenic shock
□ Arrhythmias
□ Heart failure

§ Neurogenic shock
□ Spinal cord injury

Question 3

what are the causes of Respiratory Distress in a child?

Answer 3

§ Upper airway obstruction (stridor)
		□ Croup & epiglottitis
		□ Foreign body 
		□ Congenital malformations 
		□ Trauma 

§ Lower airway disorders
	□ Asthma 
	□ Bronchiolitis 
	□ Pneumonia 
	□ Pneumothorax

Question 4

what are the causes of a drowsy or unconscious or seizing child

Answer 4

§ Post-ictal
§ Status epilepticus
§ Infection
□ Meningitis/encephalitis

§ Metabolic 
   □ DKA
   □ Hypoglycaemia
   □ Electrolyte disturbances (calcium, magnesium, sodium)
   □ Inborn errors of metabolism

§ Head injury
□ Trauma/non-accidental injury

§ Drug/poison ingestion
Intracranial haemorrhage

Question 5

what are the Surgical emergencies in kids?

Answer 5

§ Acute abdomen
□ Appendicitis
□ Peritonitis

§ Intestinal obstruction
□ Intussusception
□ Malrotation
□ Bowel atresia/stenosis

Question 6

what is the Paediatric Early Warning Score (PEWS)?

Answer 6

A tool used to identify children who are seriously unwell

○ This includes measurements of heart rate, respiratory rate, oxygen saturation and temperature.

A high score suggested urgent clinical intervention is required

Question 7

what lung sound may be heard in anaphylaxis?

Answer 7

stridor

Question 8

what are the doses of adrenaline needed in anaphylaxis?

Answer 8

Under 6 y/o:
150 micrograms IM

6-12 year old:
300 micrograms

12+:
500 micrograms