DCAS Paediatric Emergencies (PALS) 4

Question 1

Paediatric defibrillation energy in PALS is dosed at:

Accepted Answer

2 J/kg for the first shock, escalating to 4 J/kg for subsequent shocks

Answer

PALS defibrillation uses weight-based dosing: 2 J/kg for the first shock, 4 J/kg for the second, and 4-10 J/kg (maximum 10 J/kg or adult dose) for subsequent shocks.

Question 2

In PALS, epinephrine for cardiac arrest is dosed at:

Accepted Answer

0.01mg/kg IV/IO every 3-5 minutes (maximum single dose 1mg)

Answer

PALS epinephrine dosing is 0.01mg/kg (0.1ml/kg of 1:10,000) IV/IO every 3-5 minutes; the maximum single dose is 1mg to avoid excessive vasopressor effect.

Question 3

Paediatric septic shock is recognised by:

Accepted Answer

Tachycardia with signs of poor perfusion (prolonged CRT, altered mental status, reduced urine output) with or without hypotension

Answer

Paediatric septic shock presents early with compensated shock (tachycardia, prolonged CRT, cool extremities, altered consciousness) often without hypotension; early aggressive treatment improves outcomes significantly.

Question 4

Intraosseous epinephrine during cardiac arrest should be followed by:

Accepted Answer

5-10ml normal saline flush to move drug from the IO into central circulation

Answer

IO medications require a saline flush to move drug from the relatively slow IO uptake into the central venous circulation rapidly — ensuring the drug reaches the heart in a therapeutically effective bolus.

Question 5

Hypoglycaemia in a neonate is defined as blood glucose below:

Accepted Answer

2.6 mmol/L (47 mg/dL)

Answer

Neonatal hypoglycaemia is defined at a lower threshold than older children/adults: <2.6 mmol/L (47 mg/dL) requires treatment to prevent neurological injury; symptomatic neonates are treated at even higher values.

DCAS Practice Test

DCAS Practice Test

DCAS Paediatric Emergencies (PALS) 4