You are dispatched to a residence for a 4-year-old female who is sick. Your assessment reveals that she has increased work of breathing and is making a high-pitched sound during inhalation. Her mother tells you that she has been running a high fever for the past 24 hours. Your MOST immediate concern should be:
- A. determining if the child has a history of croup.
- B. preparing to treat her for a febrile seizure.
- C. assessing the need for ventilation assistance.
- D. taking her temperature to see how high it is.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: In a child with increased work of breathing, a high-pitched sound during inhalation, and a high fever, upper airway obstruction should be suspected. The child's condition may require immediate ventilation assistance to ensure adequate oxygenation and ventilation. Therefore, the most immediate concern in this scenario is to assess the need for ventilation assistance.
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Which of the following techniques represents the MOST appropriate method of opening the airway of an infant with no suspected neck injury?
- A. Perform the technique as you would for an older child or adult.
- B. Lift up the chin and hyperextend the neck.
- C. Gently lift the chin while maintaining slight flexion of the neck.
- D. Tilt the head back without hyperextending the neck.
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Failed to generate a rationale of 500+ characters after 5 retries.
A 3-year-old female presents with respiratory distress. She is conscious, crying, and clinging to her mother. She has mild intercostal retractions and an oxygen saturation of 93%. The MOST effective way of delivering oxygen to her involves:
- A. gently restraining her and assisting with ventilations.
- B. ventilations with a flow-restricted, oxygen-powered device.
- C. a non-rebreathing mask with the flow rate set at 6 to 8 L/min.
- D. asking the mother to hold an oxygen mask near her face.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: In a pediatric patient with respiratory distress, a non-rebreathing mask with a flow rate set at 6 to 8 L/min is the most effective way to deliver oxygen. This method ensures a high concentration of oxygen is delivered to the child, aiding in improving oxygen saturation levels. In this scenario, the mother can assist in holding the mask to maintain comfort and cooperation in the child while ensuring proper oxygen delivery.
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.
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.
You are treating a 5-year-old child who has had severe diarrhea and vomiting for 3 days and is now showing signs of shock. Supplemental oxygen has been given, and you have elevated his lower extremities. En route to the hospital, you note that his work of breathing has increased. You should:
- A. begin positive-pressure ventilations and reassess the child.
- B. lower the extremities and reassess the child.
- C. listen to the lungs with a stethoscope for abnormal breath sounds.
- D. insert a nasopharyngeal airway and increase the oxygen flow.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: When the work of breathing increases after elevating the legs, it is important to lower the extremities. Elevating the lower extremities in a child with signs of shock can worsen the condition by reducing venous return to the heart. Lowering the extremities can help improve venous return and potentially alleviate the increased work of breathing.