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Tachycardia 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.

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  1. A 10-year-old presents with a wide-complex tachycardia at 180 bpm with hemodynamic stability. Which drug is preferred when the rhythm is uncertain?

    Answer: Adenosine 0.1 mg/kg rapid IV

    Adenosine is preferred for stable wide-complex tachycardia of uncertain origin because it is safe if the rhythm is SVT with aberrancy and has a short half-life.

  2. Which medication is CONTRAINDICATED in pediatric SVT management?

    Answer: Verapamil in infants <1 year

    Verapamil is contraindicated in infants under 1 year because it can cause severe hypotension, bradycardia, and cardiac arrest in this age group.

  3. A 3-year-old with a history of congenital heart disease develops a wide-complex tachycardia at 190 bpm with signs of shock. What is the first action?

    Answer: Prepare for synchronized cardioversion

    Unstable wide-complex tachycardia with shock requires immediate synchronized cardioversion regardless of rhythm identification.

  4. What is the recommended adenosine dose for the SECOND administration in a child with SVT?

    Answer: 0.2 mg/kg

    If the first dose of adenosine (0.1 mg/kg) is ineffective, the second dose is doubled to 0.2 mg/kg (maximum 12 mg).

  5. During SVT cardioversion in an awake child, which consideration is most important?

    Answer: Ensure sedation and analgesia before delivery

    If the clinical situation allows time, sedation and analgesia should be provided before elective synchronized cardioversion in a conscious child.

  6. A child with SVT is given adenosine via a peripheral IV in the antecubital fossa. What technique should be used to maximize drug effectiveness?

    Answer: Rapid IV push followed immediately by a normal saline flush

    Adenosine must be given as a rapid IV bolus followed immediately by a large-volume saline flush to ensure the drug reaches central circulation before it is metabolized.

  7. Which of the following is the MOST common cause of tachycardia in a febrile 6-month-old infant?

    Answer: Sinus tachycardia secondary to fever

    Sinus tachycardia secondary to fever and physiologic stress is by far the most common tachyarrhythmia in febrile infants.