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.
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You are called to a local park for a 7-year-old boy with respiratory distress. During your assessment, you find that the patient is wheezing and has widespread hives and facial edema. What should you suspect has occurred?
- A. Poison oak exposure
- B. Allergic reaction
- C. Heat illness
- D. Acute asthma attack
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Failed to generate a rationale of 500+ characters after 5 retries.
A 5-year-old boy was struck by a car when he ran out into the street. When you arrive at the scene and approach the child, you see him lying supine approximately 15 feet from the car. Based on the child's age and mechanism of injury, which of the following should you suspect to be his PRIMARY injury?
- A. Lower leg injury
- B. Head injury
- C. Upper thorax injury
- D. Pelvic injury
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Given the mechanism of injury and the distance the child was thrown, a primary pelvic injury should be suspected due to the high impact and force. The pelvis is a common site for significant injury in such cases, and the distance the child was thrown indicates a high-energy impact that could lead to pelvic fractures or injuries.
During transport of a woman in labor, the patient tells you that she feels the urge to push. You assess her and see the top of the baby's head bulging from the vagina. What should you do?
- A. Ask the mother to take short, quick breaths until you arrive at the hospital.
- B. Allow the head to deliver and check for the location of the cord.
- C. Apply gentle pressure to the baby's head and notify the hospital immediately.
- D. Advise your partner to stop the ambulance and assist with the delivery.
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: When the top of the baby's head is visible (crowning) during transport, it indicates imminent delivery. In this situation, it is crucial to stop the ambulance and assist with the delivery. This ensures a safe delivery process for the mother and the baby. Waiting to arrive at the hospital or attempting to apply pressure to the baby's head can lead to complications. Allowing the head to deliver and checking for the cord's location is a necessary step during the delivery process, but the immediate priority is to assist in the safe delivery of the baby.
Which artery should you palpate when assessing for a pulse in an unresponsive 6-month-old patient?
- A. Radial
- B. Brachial
- C. Femoral
- D. Carotid
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Failed to generate a rationale of 500+ characters after 5 retries.
What is the MOST common cause of shock in infants and children?
- A. Severe allergic reaction
- B. Dehydration
- C. Accidental poisoning
- D. Cardiac failure
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Dehydration is the most common cause of shock in infants and children. In children, the body's fluid reserves are smaller compared to adults, making them more susceptible to dehydration, which can lead to shock if not promptly addressed. Severe allergic reactions, accidental poisoning, and cardiac failure can also cause shock, but dehydration is the most frequent cause in this age group.