A 7-year-old child has an altered mental status, high fever, and a generalized rash. You perform your assessment and administer supplemental oxygen. En route to the hospital, you should be MOST alert for:
- A. hypotension.
- B. combativeness.
- C. convulsions.
- D. respiratory distress.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: In a 7-year-old child with altered mental status, high fever, and a generalized rash, the most critical concern is the potential for convulsions. These symptoms could indicate a serious underlying condition, such as a febrile seizure or another type of seizure activity. Monitoring for convulsions is crucial during transport to ensure prompt intervention if they occur, as seizures can lead to additional complications and require immediate management.
You may also like to solve these questions
Why is a prolapsed umbilical cord dangerous?
- A. The cord may be wrapped around the baby's neck, causing strangulation.
- B. The cord might pull the placenta from the uterine wall during delivery.
- C. The baby's head may compress the cord, cutting off its supply of oxygen.
- D. The mother may die of hypoxia due to compromised placental blood flow.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: A prolapsed umbilical cord is dangerous because the baby's head may compress the cord, cutting off its supply of oxygen. This compression can lead to oxygen deprivation, potentially causing significant harm to the baby. Immediate medical intervention is crucial in such cases to prevent adverse outcomes.
A 4-year-old boy with a tracheostomy tube is experiencing respiratory distress. He has intercostal retractions, a heart rate of 80 beats/min, and an oxygen saturation of 85%. During his attempts to breathe, a gurgling sound is heard in the tracheostomy tube. You should:
- A. Ventilate through the tracheostomy tube.
- B. Place an oxygen mask over the tracheostomy tube.
- C. Remove the tracheostomy tube and clean it.
- D. Carefully suction the tracheostomy tube.
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: In this scenario, the 4-year-old boy with a tracheostomy tube is showing signs of respiratory distress, including intercostal retractions, a low heart rate, and decreased oxygen saturation. The gurgling sound indicates a possible airway obstruction. Correctly, the immediate action should be to carefully suction the tracheostomy tube. Suctioning can help clear any secretions or obstructions, thus improving the child's ability to breathe effectively. Ventilating through the tube, placing an oxygen mask over it, or removing and cleaning the tube would not address the potential obstruction and could worsen the respiratory distress.
Which of the following signs is MOST indicative of inadequate breathing in an infant?
- A. Sunken fontanelles
- B. Heart rate of 130 beats/min
- C. Expiratory grunting
- D. Abdominal breathing
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Expiratory grunting is a significant sign of inadequate breathing and respiratory distress in infants. It indicates that the infant is struggling to exhale properly, which can be a sign of various respiratory issues, including lung problems or airway obstruction. Monitoring and recognizing this sign promptly can help in providing timely interventions to support the infant's breathing and prevent further complications.
Why should small children ride in the backseat of a vehicle?
- A. They are much less likely to be ejected from the vehicle.
- B. The back of the front seat will provide a cushion during a crash.
- C. They can experience severe injury or death if the airbag deploys.
- D. Their legs are highly prone to injury from striking the dashboard.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Small children should ride in the backseat of a vehicle primarily to avoid severe injury or death that may occur if the airbag deploys. In the event of a crash, the force of an airbag deployment can be dangerous for a child seated in the front seat. Placing them in the backseat reduces the risk of serious harm from airbag impact and is a safer seating position for young passengers.
When performing CPR on an infant with suspected sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS), an important aspect to consider is:
- A. Focusing all of your attention on the infant, with minimal parental interaction.
- B. Carefully inspecting the environment in which the infant was found.
- C. Understanding that most infants with SIDS can be successfully resuscitated.
- D. Encouraging the presence of the parents during your resuscitation attempt.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: When dealing with a suspected case of SIDS, it is crucial to carefully inspect the environment in which the infant was found. This inspection can provide valuable information that may help determine the cause and support further investigation into the incident. By examining the surroundings, potential hazards or clues related to the sudden event may be identified, aiding in understanding the circumstances and potentially preventing similar incidents in the future.