Pediatrics/Geriatrics Flashcards
What are two major differences in the head of a pediatric and an adult? Why is this important?
Ped heads are bigger. Peds have fontanelles
Peds have increased incidence of head trauma and increased heat loss from head
What are two anatomical differences of the airway of a pediatric from an adult? Why is this important?
Airway is smaller and tongue is bigger
Securing airway is difficult and imperative
What is the narrowest part of a pediatrics airway?
Cricoid cartilage
What are some considerations to remember with pediatric breathing?
Nose breathers, breath with diaphragm, need higher oxygen demand, and smaller lungs/oxygen reserve
What are possible causes of swollen fontanelles
Meningitis, overhydration
What is the difference between pediatric ribs and adult ribs? Why is this important?
More cartilaginous
Broken ribs mean LARGE mechanism of injury
What is the anatomical difference between pediatric organs and adult organs?
Much larger and more anterior
What is different about the body mass to body surface area in peds than adults?
Peds have much larger mass to surface ration
What are two differences between the pediatric brain and an adult brain? Why is this important?
Brain and meninges more fragile and prone to bleeding. Brain requires twice cerebral blood flow compared to an adult
Adequate respirations more urgent and head momentum more dangerous
What is the pediatric assessment triangle?
Appearance, work of breathing, circulation
What is the appearance part of the pediatric assessment triangle?
Tone, interactiveness, gaze, cry, consolability
What is the work of breathing part of the pediatric assessment triangle?
Breath sounds, positioning, retractions, nasal flaring
What is the circulation part of the pediatric assessment triangle?
Pallor, mottling (marbling), cyanosis
