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Managing Respiratory Emergencies Flashcards

7 cards from real PALS practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.

Read the first 7 Managing Respiratory Emergencies flashcards as text

  1. A 2-year-old with croup has moderate stridor at rest and moderate retractions. After racemic epinephrine, the child improves. What is the minimum observation period before discharge?

    Answer: 2–4 hours

    Because racemic epinephrine's effect is temporary (rebound phenomenon can occur), children must be observed for 2–4 hours before discharge.

  2. During bag-mask ventilation, you notice the child's chest is not rising. After repositioning the head and ensuring a proper mask seal, there is still no rise. What is the next step?

    Answer: Check for and relieve airway obstruction with a jaw thrust

    If repositioning and mask seal fail to produce chest rise, a jaw thrust to open the airway is the next maneuver before escalating to a more invasive airway.

  3. A 9-year-old post-drowning victim is intubated and ventilated. ETCO2 reads 55 mmHg. Which action is correct?

    Answer: Increase the respiratory rate to lower ETCO2

    An ETCO2 of 55 mmHg indicates hypercapnia (hypoventilation); increasing the respiratory rate will blow off more CO2 and correct this.

  4. Which of the following is the most reliable indicator of correct ETT placement after intubation?

    Answer: Continuous waveform capnography

    Continuous waveform capnography (ETCO2) is the gold standard for confirming and continuously monitoring ETT placement in a perfusing patient.

  5. A 3-month-old with bronchiolitis has apnea lasting 20 seconds. What is the most appropriate immediate intervention?

    Answer: Apply stimulation and prepare for bag-mask ventilation

    Apnea in an infant with bronchiolitis requires immediate stimulation and readiness for bag-mask ventilation to support oxygenation and ventilation.

  6. When preparing for pediatric rapid sequence intubation (RSI), which pre-oxygenation method is preferred for a spontaneously breathing patient?

    Answer: 100% O2 via non-rebreather mask for 3–5 minutes

    Pre-oxygenating with 100% FiO2 via non-rebreather mask for 3–5 minutes maximizes nitrogen washout and extends the safe apnea period during RSI.

  7. A 6-year-old presents with sudden onset respiratory distress, absent breath sounds on the right, and tracheal deviation to the left. After needle decompression of the right second intercostal space, breath sounds return. This confirms which diagnosis?

    Answer: Right tension pneumothorax

    Right tension pneumothorax causes absent right breath sounds, tracheal deviation away from the affected side (to the left), and is relieved by needle decompression on the right.