PALS Flashcards
List normal respiratory rates by age.
Infant=30-60 Toddler 24-40 Preschool 22-34 School age 18-30 Teens 12-16
What is considered an abnormal respiratory rate for children?
Less than 10, greater than 60,
In the PALS algorithm, what is the first question you ask yourself when assessing a distressed child?
Is child unresponsive, with no breathing or only gasping.
According to the PALS algorithm, what is the first step when a child is unresponsive or in respiratory distress? Second step?
Activate emergency response/shout for help.
Check for pulse.
According to the PALS algorithm, if the child has a pulse, under what conditions would CPR be started anyway?
Pulse
According to the PALS algorithm, after CPR is initiated, what guidelines should you follow?
The pediatric cardiac arrest algorithm.
What are the 3 things assessed for during initial assessment?
LOC, breathing, color.
What are the 3 parts to the “evaluate” portion of the evaluate-identify-intervene algorithm.
Primary assessment, secondary assessment, diagnostic tests.
Describe a “primary assessment”
Systematic ABCDE evaluation. Includes vital signs and pulse ox.
Describe a “secondary evaluation”
A focused medical history and exam.
What is the proper way to attempt to open an obstructed airway if the child is 1 yr old?
If 1 yr old use abdominal thrusts only.
What can cause tachypnea?
Fever, DKA, pain, sepsis, HF, anemia, congenital defects.
What do retractions accompanied by inspiratory stridor or snoring suggest?
An upper airway obstruction.
What do retractions accompanied by expiratory wheezing suggest?
Asthma or bronchitis.
What is grunting usually a sign of?
Respiratory distress/failure due to tissue disease.
What 5 things are assessed for circulation?
BP, HR/rhythm, cap refill, skin color/temp, pulses.
What do you do when a child with bradycardia has signs of poor perfusion?
Bag them with O2.
What might cause bradycardia in a child who is alert with no signs of poor perfusion?
Heart block, drug overdose.
What acronym is used for peds LOC?
AVPU. Alert/Voice/Pain/Unresponsive
What Glascow Coma Scores correlate to mild/moderate/severe head injury?
Mild=13-15. Moderate =9-12. Severe=3-8
What does SAMPLE stand for?
A means of coordinating a focused assessment. Signs/Symptoms, Allergies, Medications, Past history, LAst meal, Events.
During a resuscitation, how many team members are needed? Name the rolls performed by each.
6 Team leader, observer/recorder, compressor, airway, IV meds, monitor/defibrillator.
When a pediatric Pt is in respiratory distress/failure, what are the early S/S?
Tachypnea,tachycardia, anxiety, increased respiratory effort, pallor, good air movement.
When a pediatric Pt is in respiratory distress/failure, what are the late S/S?
Bradypnea to apnea, decreased to no effort, poor to absent air movement, bradycardia, cyanosis, lethargy/unresponsive.
What is the Tx for mild croup?
Dexamethasone
What is the Tx for moderate to severe croup?
O2, NPO, nebulized epi, observe 2 hours, dexamethasone, heliox.
What is the Tx for impending respiratory failure due to croup?
non-rebreather O2, bag mask, dexamethasone, intubation.
If a lower airway obstruction is present (asthma), should ventilation be slow or fast?
Slow, to prevent high airway pressure and its complications.
What meds are used to treat asthma?
Albuterol, ipatropium, O2, steroids.
