DCAS Paediatric Emergencies (PALS)

Question 1

Normal respiratory rate for an infant (0-1 year) is approximately:

Accepted Answer

30-60 breaths per minute

Answer

Infants have a significantly higher respiratory rate than adults (30-60/min) due to their smaller tidal volumes and higher metabolic rate; rates outside this range indicate respiratory distress or failure.

Question 2

The Paediatric Assessment Triangle (PAT) assesses which three parameters?

Accepted Answer

Appearance, Work of breathing, and Circulation to the skin

Answer

The PAT provides a rapid (30-second) visual assessment: Appearance (tone, interactiveness, consolability, gaze, speech/cry), Work of breathing (sounds, position, retractions, nasal flaring), and Circulation to skin (pallor, mottling, cyanosis).

Question 3

In PALS, the primary cause of cardiac arrest in children differs from adults in that it is most commonly:

Accepted Answer

Respiratory failure or shock leading to hypoxic cardiac arrest

Answer

Unlike adults where VF/pVT is common, paediatric cardiac arrest is predominantly caused by respiratory failure or shock progressing to hypoxia, making airway management and early oxygenation the most critical interventions.

Question 4

The first-line medication for anaphylaxis in a child is:

Accepted Answer

Epinephrine (adrenaline) IM into the anterolateral thigh — 0.01mg/kg of 1:1000 (max 0.5mg)

Answer

Epinephrine IM is the only first-line, life-saving treatment for anaphylaxis in children; antihistamines and corticosteroids are adjuncts only and should never delay or replace epinephrine.

Question 5

In a child with signs of upper airway obstruction (croup), the recommended pre-hospital treatment is:

Accepted Answer

Nebulised adrenaline (epinephrine) 5ml of 1:1000, dexamethasone, and cool humidified oxygen

Answer

Nebulised adrenaline (reduces subglottic oedema through vasoconstriction), oral/IM dexamethasone (reduces inflammation), and humidified oxygen are the cornerstones of moderate-to-severe croup management.

DCAS Practice Test

DCAS Practice Test

DCAS Paediatric Emergencies (PALS)