PALS Resuscitation Team Dynamics 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A new team member is unsure about their role during resuscitation. Who is PRIMARILY responsible for clarifying role assignments?
- The charge nurse
- The bedside nurse
- The team leader (Correct answer)
- The most experienced team member
Correct answer: The team leader
The team leader is responsible for ensuring all team members understand their assigned roles before and during resuscitation.
Question 2: Which of the following BEST describes the role of the 'recorder' during a PALS resuscitation?
- Performing chest compressions every 2 minutes
- Documenting times, interventions, medications, and rhythm changes (Correct answer)
- Communicating with the family in the waiting room
- Preparing equipment for intubation
Correct answer: Documenting times, interventions, medications, and rhythm changes
The recorder maintains a real-time written record of all events, times, medications, and interventions to support team decision-making.
Question 3: During a resuscitation, a team member disagrees with the team leader's plan. What is the RECOMMENDED approach?
- Refuse to carry out the order until the leader changes the plan
- State the concern once clearly and respectfully, then follow the leader's decision if not a safety issue (Correct answer)
- Override the leader's decision independently
- Say nothing and report to administration afterward
Correct answer: State the concern once clearly and respectfully, then follow the leader's decision if not a safety issue
PALS recommends voicing concerns respectfully one time; if overruled and safety is not immediately compromised, team members should follow the leader's direction.
Question 4: What does 'workload distribution' mean in the context of PALS team dynamics?
- Assigning all difficult tasks to the most experienced member
- Ensuring all tasks are performed by the team leader
- Dividing responsibilities so no single member is overwhelmed (Correct answer)
- Having team members rotate leadership every 2 minutes
Correct answer: Dividing responsibilities so no single member is overwhelmed
Workload distribution prevents cognitive overload and errors by ensuring tasks are spread appropriately among capable team members.
Question 5: A team leader gives an ambiguous order: 'Give the usual dose.' What should the team member receiving the order do?
- Administer the most commonly used dose for the patient's weight
- Ask for clarification of the specific dose before proceeding (Correct answer)
- Give the adult standard dose
- Defer to the pharmacist
Correct answer: Ask for clarification of the specific dose before proceeding
Vague orders must be clarified before execution to prevent medication errors; closed-loop communication requires specific, confirmed instructions.
Question 6: How does effective debriefing AFTER a resuscitation improve future team performance?
- It assigns blame to team members who made errors
- It identifies what went well and what can be improved without personal criticism (Correct answer)
- It replaces the need for simulation training
- It is only necessary after unsuccessful resuscitations
Correct answer: It identifies what went well and what can be improved without personal criticism
Post-event debriefing focuses on system and process improvement in a psychologically safe environment, which enhances future team performance.
Question 7: Which scenario BEST illustrates a breakdown in 'shared mental model' during a pediatric resuscitation?
- Two team members simultaneously reach the same conclusion about the rhythm
- The team leader and recorder both document the same time for epinephrine
- One team member prepares defibrillation while others are still performing CPR without a shockable rhythm identified (Correct answer)
- All team members pause appropriately for rhythm check
Correct answer: One team member prepares defibrillation while others are still performing CPR without a shockable rhythm identified
A shared mental model means all team members have the same understanding of the patient's status and care plan; conflicting actions indicate a breakdown.
PALS Resuscitation Team Dynamics 3
A new team member is unsure about their role during resuscitation.
Who is PRIMARILY responsible for clarifying role assignments?