Sepsis and Infectious Disease Emergencies Flashcards
7 cards from real CPEN practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 7 Sepsis and Infectious Disease Emergencies flashcards as text
A 6-week-old infant presents with fever, bulging fontanelle, and high-pitched cry. Which pathogen is the MOST common cause of bacterial meningitis in this age group?
Answer: Group B Streptococcus
Group B Streptococcus (GBS) is the leading cause of bacterial meningitis in neonates and young infants under 3 months.
A 4-year-old with septic shock remains hypotensive after 60 mL/kg of isotonic crystalloid. Which vasoactive agent is the FIRST-LINE choice for fluid-refractory septic shock in children?
Answer: Norepinephrine
Current PALS and Surviving Sepsis Campaign guidelines recommend norepinephrine as the first-line vasopressor for fluid-refractory septic shock in children.
Which finding is MOST consistent with toxic shock syndrome (TSS) caused by Staphylococcus aureus in a pediatric patient?
Answer: Desquamation of palms and soles 1-2 weeks after illness onset
Desquamation of the palms and soles occurring 1–2 weeks after the acute illness is a hallmark feature of staphylococcal toxic shock syndrome.
A 10-year-old presents with fever, severe headache, neck stiffness, and a petechial rash rapidly spreading to purpura. What is the priority intervention?
Answer: Obtain blood cultures, then administer IV ceftriaxone immediately
Blood cultures should be drawn and IV ceftriaxone given immediately in suspected meningococcemia; lumbar puncture should not delay antibiotic therapy.
When calculating the PELOD-2 score in a pediatric patient with suspected sepsis, which parameter is included?
Answer: Glasgow Coma Scale score
The PELOD-2 (Pediatric Logistic Organ Dysfunction-2) score includes Glasgow Coma Scale score as part of its neurological domain assessment.
A 7-year-old with a recent varicella infection presents with fever, exquisite leg pain, and refusal to bear weight. Blood cultures grow Group A Streptococcus. What is the MOST likely diagnosis?
Answer: Necrotizing fasciitis
Varicella infection predisposes children to invasive GAS infections including necrotizing fasciitis, presenting with severe pain disproportionate to skin findings.
A 3-month-old appears ill with fever, tachycardia, and mottled skin. Point-of-care lactate is 4.2 mmol/L. According to the Surviving Sepsis Campaign pediatric guidelines, this lactate level indicates:
Answer: Hyperlactatemia associated with increased mortality risk requiring aggressive resuscitation
A lactate ≥2 mmol/L is associated with increased mortality in pediatric sepsis, and a level of 4.2 mmol/L indicates significant tissue hypoperfusion requiring urgent intervention.