ENPC Respiratory Emergencies Flashcards

A child presents with inspiratory stridor, a barking cough, and low-grade fever. Which condition is most likely?

Answer: Croup (laryngotracheobronchitis)

Croup is characterized by the classic barking cough, inspiratory stridor, and low-grade fever in young children.

A 4-year-old presents with sudden onset of choking, unilateral wheezing, and decreased breath sounds on the right. What is the priority intervention?

Answer: Prepare for bronchoscopy

Sudden unilateral wheezing with decreased breath sounds strongly suggests foreign body aspiration, requiring bronchoscopy for removal.

Which oxygen delivery method provides the highest inspired oxygen concentration for a spontaneously breathing, critically ill pediatric patient?

Answer: Non-rebreather mask

A non-rebreather mask with a reservoir bag and one-way valves can deliver up to 90–95% oxygen concentration.

A 2-year-old with asthma presents with moderate respiratory distress and SpO2 of 91% after initial albuterol. Which adjunct treatment is MOST appropriate?

Answer: Ipratropium bromide plus systemic corticosteroids

Ipratropium bromide combined with systemic corticosteroids is standard adjunct therapy for moderate asthma exacerbations not resolved by albuterol alone.

Which assessment finding BEST indicates impending respiratory failure in a pediatric patient?

Answer: Altered mental status with decreasing respiratory effort

Altered mental status combined with decreasing respiratory effort signals impending respiratory failure and requires immediate airway intervention.

When selecting an endotracheal tube for pediatric intubation, current ENPC guidelines recommend which approach?

Answer: Use a length-based resuscitation tape and consider cuffed tubes for all ages

Length-based resuscitation tapes provide accurate sizing, and cuffed ETTs are now acceptable for all pediatric age groups per current guidelines.