DCAS Paediatric Emergencies (PALS) 2

Question 1

In paediatric CPR, the compression-to-ventilation ratio for a single rescuer is:

Accepted Answer

30:2 (same as adults)

Answer

A single rescuer uses 30:2; two rescuers (PALS guideline) use 15:2 for children over 1 year, allowing more frequent ventilations given the respiratory cause of most paediatric arrests.

Question 2

Correct paediatric chest compression depth is:

Accepted Answer

At least one-third of the chest anteroposterior diameter (approximately 4cm in infants, 5cm in children)

Answer

Compressions should be at least one-third the AP chest diameter — approximately 4cm in infants and 5cm in older children — generating adequate cardiac output without causing thoracic injury.

Question 3

For infants in cardiac arrest when two rescuers are present, compressions are performed using:

Accepted Answer

Two-thumb encircling technique (thumbs on lower sternum, hands encircling the chest)

Answer

The two-thumb encircling technique is the preferred method for two rescuers: thumbs on the lower sternum with fingers encircling the chest, generating higher pressures and better coronary perfusion than the two-finger method.

Question 4

Febrile seizures in children are most commonly associated with:

Accepted Answer

Rapid temperature rise in children aged 6 months to 5 years with a benign, self-limiting course

Answer

Simple febrile seizures occur with rapid temperature elevation in young children (peak 18 months-3 years), are typically brief (<15 minutes), generalised, and resolve spontaneously without indicating epilepsy or meningitis.

Question 5

The Broselow tape is used in paediatric emergencies to:

Accepted Answer

Estimate weight-based drug doses and equipment sizes from the child's length

Answer

The Broselow tape correlates the child's length (measured from head to heel) with estimated weight and pre-calculated drug doses and equipment sizes (ETT, blade, IV catheter size), enabling rapid safe paediatric drug administration.

DCAS Practice Test

DCAS Practice Test

DCAS Paediatric Emergencies (PALS) 2