Your assessment of a 5-year-old child reveals that he is unresponsive with a respiratory rate of 8 breaths/min and a heart rate of 50 beats/min. Treatment for this child should include:
- A. high-flow oxygen via non-rebreathing mask and rapid transport.
- B. assisted ventilation with a bag-mask device and rapid transport.
- C. positive-pressure ventilation, chest compressions, and rapid transport.
- D. back slaps and chest thrusts while attempting artificial ventilations.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: In a 5-year-old child who is unresponsive with severe bradycardia and bradypnea, the priority is to provide positive-pressure ventilation to support breathing and perform chest compressions to support circulation. This child is in cardiac arrest, and the recommended treatment according to pediatric basic life support guidelines involves a combination of positive-pressure ventilation and chest compressions to maintain oxygenation and circulation. Rapid transport to a medical facility for further advanced care is crucial in this critical situation. Choices A, B, and D are incorrect because high-flow oxygen via non-rebreathing mask, assisted ventilation with a bag-mask device, and back slaps with chest thrusts are not sufficient in a cardiac arrest situation where the child requires immediate positive-pressure ventilation and chest compressions to maintain oxygenation and circulation.
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A 3-year-old female has had severe diarrhea and vomiting for 4 days. She is now unresponsive with rapid, shallow respirations and thready radial pulses. Her heart rate is 160 beats/min, and her oxygen saturation is 88%. You should:
- A. Ventilate her with a bag-valve mask.
- B. Start chest compressions.
- C. Administer high-flow oxygen via a non-rebreathing mask.
- D. Place her in the recovery position.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: In a pediatric patient presenting with unresponsiveness, rapid, shallow respirations, thready pulses, high heart rate, and low oxygen saturation, the priority is to ensure adequate oxygenation. Ventilating the child with a bag-valve mask is crucial in this scenario to support her breathing and improve oxygenation, as indicated by her low oxygen saturation and respiratory distress. Starting chest compressions is not indicated as the child has a pulse. Administering high-flow oxygen via a non-rebreathing mask may not be as effective as providing positive pressure ventilation with a bag-valve mask in this situation. Placing her in the recovery position is not appropriate when the child is unresponsive and in respiratory distress.
General guidelines when assessing a 2-year-old child with abdominal pain and adequate perfusion include:
- A. placing the child supine and palpating the abdomen.
- B. separating the child from the parent to ensure a reliable examination.
- C. examining the child in the parent's arms.
- D. palpating the painful area of the abdomen first.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: When assessing a 2-year-old child with abdominal pain and adequate perfusion, it is essential to examine the child in the parent's arms. This approach can help maintain the child's comfort, keep them calm, and increase their cooperation during the assessment. Placing the child supine and palpating the abdomen (Choice A) can be distressing and uncomfortable for the child. Separating the child from the parent (Choice B) may cause additional stress and hinder the examination process. Palpating the painful area first (Choice D) can lead to increased discomfort and resistance from the child.
When assisting ventilations in a 4-year-old child with a bag-valve mask, what should the EMT do?
- A. Deliver each breath over 2 to 3 seconds.
- B. Ensure the appropriate mask size is used.
- C. Block the pop-off valve if needed to achieve adequate chest rise.
- D. Reassess the pulse rate after 60 seconds.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: When assisting ventilations in a 4-year-old child with a bag-valve mask, the EMT should block the pop-off valve if needed to achieve adequate chest rise. This action helps ensure effective ventilation and adequate oxygenation in the child. Blocking the pop-off valve allows for better control over the volume of air delivered and can help maintain positive pressure in the airway, assisting in improving oxygenation and ventilation in the child. Choices A, B, and D are incorrect because delivering each breath over 2 to 3 seconds is a general guideline but may need adjustment based on patient response, ensuring the appropriate mask size is important but not the primary concern in this scenario, and reassessing the pulse rate is not directly related to the ventilation technique being discussed.
Which of the following is MOST likely to occur in conjunction with a breech presentation?
- A. Vertex presentation
- B. Maternal hypertension
- C. Prolapsed umbilical cord
- D. Premature rupture of the amniotic sac
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: In a breech presentation, where the baby's buttocks or feet present first, there is an increased risk of the umbilical cord slipping down alongside or below the presenting part, leading to a prolapsed umbilical cord. This is a serious complication that can compromise fetal blood flow and oxygenation, necessitating prompt intervention to prevent adverse outcomes. Choices A, B, and D are less likely to occur in conjunction with a breech presentation. Vertex presentation is the normal head-first presentation, maternal hypertension is a separate condition that may not be directly related to fetal presentation, and premature rupture of the amniotic sac can happen independently of the baby's presentation.
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.