Nokea
When assessing a 5-year-old boy with major trauma, his blood pressure is 70/40 mm Hg, and his pulse rate is 140 beats/min and weak. The child's blood pressure:
- A. indicates decompensated shock.
- B. reflects adequate compensation.
- C. suggests increased intracranial pressure.
- D. is appropriate based on his age.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: In a 5-year-old boy with major trauma, a blood pressure of 70/40 mm Hg and a pulse rate of 140 beats/min, and weak, indicate decompensated shock. This presentation signifies inadequate perfusion, leading to compensatory mechanisms being overwhelmed, resulting in decompensated shock. Choice B is incorrect as the vital signs suggest the body is unable to adequately compensate for the trauma. Choice C is incorrect as the vital signs are more indicative of shock rather than increased intracranial pressure. Choice D is incorrect as such low blood pressure is not appropriate for a child of this age and indicates a critical condition.
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During the pediatric assessment process, which scenario would be the LEAST appropriate for the transition phase?
- A. A parent is available to help keep the child calm.
- B. The child is unstable and needs rapid transport.
- C. You determine that the child's condition is stable.
- D. Your transport time is greater than 30 minutes.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: During a pediatric assessment, the transition phase is a critical period where care is handed over from prehospital providers to the hospital team. If the child is unstable and requires rapid transport, it is not appropriate to delay for a transition phase. In such cases, immediate transport to a higher level of care is paramount to ensure the child's safety and well-being. Choice A is appropriate as having a parent present can help keep the child calm during the transition. Choice C is also appropriate as transitioning a stable child allows for a smoother handover. Choice D, while indicating a longer transport time, does not necessarily affect the need for a transition phase as long as the child's condition remains stable.
What is the leading cause of death in geriatric patients?
- A. Hypertension.
- B. Arthritis.
- C. Heart disease.
- D. Altered mental status.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Heart disease is the leading cause of death in geriatric patients. It encompasses a range of conditions affecting the heart and blood vessels, such as coronary artery disease and heart failure, which are more prevalent in older individuals. These conditions can lead to serious complications and ultimately result in higher mortality rates among the elderly population. Hypertension (choice A) is a risk factor for heart disease but not the leading cause of death in geriatric patients. Arthritis (choice B) is a chronic condition affecting the joints, not a primary cause of death in this population. Altered mental status (choice D) is a symptom rather than a leading cause of death in geriatric patients.
Which of the following is an abnormal finding when assessing the abdomen of a newborn?
- A. The umbilical cord has two arteries and one vein.
- B. The presence of green vomit.
- C. The liver is palpable 1 to 2 cm below the costal margin.
- D. The abdomen is soft and nondistended.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B. The presence of green vomit in a newborn is an abnormal finding and indicates a possible intestinal obstruction. This finding requires immediate attention and further investigation. Choices A, C, and D are normal findings in a newborn's abdomen assessment. A newborn typically has an umbilical cord with two arteries and one vein, a liver that may be palpable 1 to 2 cm below the costal margin due to its normal size in a neonate, and a soft, nondistended abdomen as expected in healthy newborns.
What is the main function of the uterus?
- A. Dilate and expel the baby from the cervix.
- B. House the fetus as it grows for 40 weeks.
- C. Provide a cushion and protect the fetus from infection.
- D. Provide oxygen and other nutrients to the fetus.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The main function of the uterus is to house and nurture the growing fetus for approximately 40 weeks during pregnancy. It provides the necessary environment for the fetus to develop and grow until it is ready for birth. Choice A is incorrect as the cervix, not the uterus, dilates during labor to allow the baby to pass through. Choice C is incorrect as while the uterus does provide a protective environment, its primary function is not to act as a cushion. Choice D is incorrect as the placenta, not the uterus, is responsible for providing oxygen and nutrients to the fetus.
Following an apparent febrile seizure, a 4-year-old boy is alert and crying. His skin is hot and moist. Appropriate treatment for this child includes:
- A. allowing the parents to transport the child.
- B. offering oxygen and providing transport.
- C. rapidly cooling the child in cold water.
- D. keeping the child warm and providing transport.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: After a febrile seizure, the priority is to offer oxygen and provide transport to a medical facility. Oxygen may be necessary to ensure proper oxygenation, and medical evaluation is crucial to determine the cause of the seizure and prevent recurrence. Rapidly cooling the child in cold water is not recommended as it may lead to complications such as hypothermia. Keeping the child warm is also not indicated as the skin is already hot and moist. Therefore, offering oxygen and timely transportation to a healthcare facility is the most appropriate course of action. Allowing the parents to transport the child might delay necessary medical care, and keeping the child warm can exacerbate the existing heat. Rapidly cooling the child in cold water can lead to adverse effects, making it an inappropriate choice.