PALS Updated FINAL EXAM

24 July 2022
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question
A 12-year-old child being evaluated in the pediatric intensive care unit displays the following ECG waveform. The team interprets this as which arrhythmia?
answer
second degree
question
Laboratory tests are ordered for a child who has been vomiting for 3 days and is diaphoretic, tachypneic, lethargic and pale. Which test would the provider use to determine the adequacy of oxygen delivery?
answer
Lactate
question
A 9-year-old patient is presenting with decreased breath sounds, bradycardia, slowed respiratory rate and a low O2 saturation level. The provider interprets these findings as indicating which condition?
answer
Respiratory failure
question
A 4-year-old child is brought to the emergency department by the parents. Assessment reveals that the child has only gasping respirations and the pulse rate is 65 beats per minute. Which action would the provider initiate first?
answer
Deliver 1 BVM ventilation every 3 to 5 seconds.
question
A 15-year-old patient is being evaluated during a follow-up visit after being diagnosed with Lyme disease 2 months ago. A rhythm strip is obtained as shown below. The provider interprets this rhythm as indicating which arrhythmia?
answer
First-degree atrioventricular (AV) block
question
A child in cardiac arrest experiences return of spontaneous circulation but is exhibiting signs of post-cardiac arrest syndrome (PCAS). The PALS resuscitation team determines that the child is experiencing a systemic response to ischemia/reperfusion. The team bases this determination on which finding(s)?
answer
Hypotension Fever Hyperglycemia
question
A 2-year-old child arrives at the emergency department with the parents. The child is unresponsive, is not breathing and has no pulse. Two emergency department providers begin high-quality CPR. Which action(s) by the providers demonstrates high-quality CPR?
answer
Allowing the chest to recoil fully after each compression Providing ventilations that last about 1 second each Compressing the chest about 2 inches Giving 2 ventilations to every 15 compressions
question
A PALS resuscitation team is preparing to defibrillate a child experiencing cardiac arrest. For which rhythm(s) would this action be appropriate?
answer
VF and pVT are shockable cardiac arrest rhythms.
question
A provider is assessing a child with suspected shock. Which statement correctly describes hypotension and shock?
answer
Hypotension is not a consistent feature of shock;
question
A provider is caring for a 4-year-old child in the urgent care clinic. Primary assessment reveals difficulty breathing and an oxygen saturation of 91%. The provider administers oxygen by nasal cannula with the goal of improving the child's oxygen saturation above what percentage?
answer
Supplemental oxygen should be administered as needed to maintain an oxygen saturation above 94%.
question
An 11-year-old soccer player is brought to the emergency department. After a quick assessment, the team realizes this patient is experiencing a severe asthma exacerbation. Which medication would the team administer first?
answer
Albuterol plus ipratropium bromid
question
A child in the pediatric step-down unit is exhibiting signs of respiratory distress. When assessing this child, which circulation finding might be present?
answer
Pallor is a circulation finding that may be seen in patients with respiratory distress.
question
A healthcare provider is performing a primary assessment of a child in respiratory distress. The provider documents increased work of breathing when which findings are observed?
answer
Nasal flaring, use of accessory muscles to breathe and intercostal, substernal or suprasternal retractions are all indicators of increased work or effort of breathing. Grunting and inspiratory stridor are abnormal breath sounds.
question
An 11-year-old child develops unstable wide-complex tachycardia. Assessment reveals signs of significant hemodynamic compromise, but the child has a pulse. The PALS team would prepare the child for which intervention?
answer
First-line treatment for unstable wide-complex tachycardias consists of synchronized electrical cardioversion, particularly when signs of hemodynamic compromise are apparent.
question
A 4-month old infant is brought to the emergency department in cardiac arrest. Which condition would the team identify as the most common cause of cardiac arrest in an infant of this age?
answer
Sudden infant death syndrome
question
A 9-year-old child is brought to the emergency department because the child suddenly collapsed at school. The child's ECG reveals the following waveform, and primary assessment findings indicate that the child is hemodynamically unstable. Which primary assessment findings indicate this?
answer
Difficulty breathing Hypotension Mottling Decreased level of consciousnes
question
2-year-old child is brought to the pediatric urgent care clinic by the parent who says that the child has had a barking cough for two days. During the rapid assessment of the child, the provider hears audible inspiratory stridor. Which common cause of partial upper airway obstruction in children would the provider most likely suspect?
answer
croup
question
A 6-year-old child is brought to the emergency department. The child has been experiencing extremely watery stools over the past several days. After completing the assessment, the healthcare provider suspects that the child may be experiencing shock. Which type of shock would the provider most likely suspect?
answer
hypovolemic
question
While performing a rapid assessment and formulating an initial impression using the Pediatric Assessment Triangle (PAT), the provider assesses the child's circulation. Which information would be important to consider?
answer
When assessing the adequacy of circulation, consider skin color and visible mucous membranes for pallor (or gray/dusky color), cyanosis, mottling or flushing and evidence of any bleeding, including life-threatening bleeding.
question
Assessment of a 3-month-old infant admitted with respiratory distress reveals fever, grunting and a wet, "junky" cough. The infant's parents said the child had a recent respiratory infection with a fever. A rapid respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) test is positive. Which condition would the provider most likely suspect as the cause?
answer
bronchiolitis
question
PALS resuscitation team notes the following ECG waveform and the child does not have a pulse. The team prepares to intervene to address which arrhythmia?
answer
torsades
question
The emergency response team is providing care to a preschooler who is experiencing shock. The primary goal, common to all types of shock, is to restore a favorable balance between tissue perfusion and metabolic demand with a focus on what?
answer
The primary goal in shock, regardless of cause, is to restore a favorable balance between tissue perfusion and metabolic demand with a focus on oxygen delivery and oxygen demand.
question
The PALS resuscitation team is providing care to an intubated child in cardiac arrest. Which result best determines the adequacy of the team's chest compressions?
answer
End-tidal carbon dioxide level between 15 and 20 mmHg
question
The PALS team leader is conducting a debriefing session with the team. Which topic(s) would the team leader most likely address during the session?
answer
Summary of the event, including what actions were taken, Discussion of the pros and cons of the interventions, Identification of ways to improve, Evaluation of the objective data gathered during the event
question
Assessment of a 7-year-old patient with septic shock reveals capillary refill of 3 seconds, diminished pulses, narrow pulse pressure and cool, mottled extremities. The emergency response team interprets these findings as indicating which type of septic shock?
answer
Most children in septic shock present with cold shock (i.e., delayed capillary refill, diminished pulses, peripheral vasoconstriction, narrow pulse pressure, and cool, mottled extremities) instead of warm shock.
question
Primary assessment of a 10-year-old child reveals septic shock. As part of the secondary assessment, laboratory testing is completed to evaluate the child's status. Which laboratory tests would be ordered for this child?
answer
Laboratory testing for the child in septic shock may include CBC, blood cultures, blood gasses, coagulation panel, renal function tests, liver function panel and lactate level.
question
A 4-year-old patient presents with tachycardia, tachypnea, cold extremities and weak pulses. Assessment also reveals an enlarged liver and neck vein distension. The provider interprets these assessment findings as suggesting which type of shock?
answer
cardio
question
A 10-year-old child has collapsed in the gym of the elementary school. The school nurse arrives and determines that the child is unresponsive. The school nurse then simultaneously checks for breathing and a central pulse, limiting this assessment to which time frame?
answer
5 seconds, but no more than 10.
question
A child being cared for in the pediatric telemetry unit suddenly displays the following ECG waveform. The provider prepares to intervene because the child is demonstrating which type of arrhythmia?
answer
Supraventricular tachycardia
question
A 6-year-old patient is brought to the emergency department after a bicycle accident. Assessment reveals tracheal deviation to the left side, chest pain on inspiration and decreased breath sounds on the right side. The provider suspects obstructive shock caused by what condition?
answer
tension pneumothorax
question
A child is experiencing stable supraventricular tachycardia (SVT) and is to receive treatment. Which initial treatment would the provider administer?
answer
vagal
question
An unresponsive 7-year-old child with no pulse is brought to the pediatric urgent care center by his parents and CPR is initiated. The cardiac monitor reveals ventricular fibrillation. Which action would the PALS team take first?
answer
initiate defibrillation with 2 J/kg.
question
A child who is stable and exhibiting a narrow-complex tachycardia is to receive adenosine. The provider would be alert for which result after administering this medication?
answer
Patients may have a brief period of "asystole" following the administration of adenosine. This is normal and typically self-limited.
question
An 8-year-old child being treated in the emergency department has significant respiratory distress. The child also exhibits hives, wheezing, angioedema, tachycardia and dyspnea. The parents state that the child, who is allergic to peanuts, had eaten some popcorn that had peanuts in it. The team initiates care, preparing to administer which agent first?
answer
epi
question
A 2-year-old child of unknown weight arrives at the emergency department in cardiac arrest. When preparing to administer medications, which action would be appropriate for the team to take?
answer
tape
question
The PALS team is providing post-cardiac arrest care to an 8-year-old child in the pediatric intensive care unit. Which intervention would the team implement to achieve the primary goal of post-cardiac arrest care?
answer
ensure MAP
question
A 12-year-old is being treated in the urgent care clinic. The mother reports that the child came home from school yesterday with a high fever, vomiting and multiple episodes of watery diarrhea. The healthcare provider obtains a rhythm strip and notes the following waveform. The provider interprets this as which type of arrhythmia?
answer
sinus tahy
question
A child requires cardiac monitoring. A three-electrode system is being used. At which location would the provider place the red electrode?
answer
On the lower left abdomen
question
An advanced airway was placed in a 5-year-old child. Which action(s) would be most appropriate for the team to take to confirm correct placement?
answer
Auscultate over the lungs and epigastrium for air movement, Observe for bilateral chest rise, Evaluate results of capnography.
question
A 12-lead ECG is ordered for a child complaining of a "racing heart." When placing the electrodes on the child, at which location would the lead for V4 be placed?
answer
fifth intercostal space at the midclavicular line on the patient's left side.
question
A 7-year-old child collapses on the playground at school. The school nurse is called to the scene and determines that the child is unresponsive and is not breathing and has no pulse. The nurse initiates CPR. At what rate and depth would the nurse deliver compressions to this child?
answer
100 to 120 compressions per minute at a depth of about 2 inch
question
Which action would the PALS team initiate to manage increased intracranial pressure in a pediatric patient?
answer
Maintain the head in midline position with 30-degree elevation
question
child is experiencing shock. The emergency response team prepares for imminent cardiac arrest when assessment reveals which finding(s)?
answer
Hypotension, Bradycardia, Diminished central pulses
question
A 30-month old child has been diagnosed with moderate croup. Which medication(s) would the provider administer?
answer
Corticosteroids, Racemic epinephrine
question
After ROSC, a child is experiencing post-cardiac arrest hemodynamic instability. The PALS resuscitation team would administer which element to restore intravascular volume and optimize preload?
answer
Isotonic fluid boluses
question
A 5-year-old child with a history of a chronic neuromuscular disease is experiencing respiratory distress. The child is breathing spontaneously and receiving supplemental oxygen. Which additional intervention is a critical component of airway management for this patient?
answer
Airway clearance
question
A provider is forming an initial impression of a child using the Pediatric Assessment Triangle (PAT). During which step of the PAT may the provider use the mnemonic TICLS to assess the patient?
answer
appearance
question
A child in the pediatric intensive care unit displays the following ECG waveform. The child has no pulse. The resuscitation team interprets this as which arrhythmia
answer
Monomorphic pulseless ventricular tachycardia
question
A child experiencing unstable bradycardia is receiving CPR. Despite efforts with CPR, including assuring oxygenation and ventilation, the child's status remains unchanged. Which medication would the emergency response team expect to administer next?
answer
epi
question
A 4-year-old child suddenly collapses in the playroom of the facility. A healthcare provider observes the event and hurries over to assess the child. The healthcare provider completes which assessment first?
answer
rapid