PALS Resuscitation Team Dynamics 4 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: During a pediatric resuscitation, the team leader is also performing chest compressions. What is the MAIN risk of this situation?
- Compressions will be too shallow
- The leader cannot monitor the team, delegate, or maintain situational awareness effectively (Correct answer)
- It sets a poor example for junior team members
- The leader will fatigue before 2 minutes
Correct answer: The leader cannot monitor the team, delegate, or maintain situational awareness effectively
When the team leader performs hands-on tasks, they lose the cognitive capacity to oversee the full resuscitation and direct the team.
Question 2: A medication error is discovered during a pediatric code. After correcting the error, when should the incident be formally reviewed?
- Immediately during the resuscitation, pausing care
- Only if the patient dies
- During the post-event debrief (Correct answer)
- At the next quarterly staff meeting
Correct answer: During the post-event debrief
Formal review of errors occurs during the post-event debrief so that care is not interrupted, and learning can happen in a structured environment.
Question 3: Which communication style is MOST effective when a team member reports a rhythm change to the team leader?
- Whispering to avoid alarming the patient's family
- Saying 'I think there might be a rhythm change maybe'
- Clearly stating 'The monitor shows V-fib — do you want me to charge the defibrillator?' (Correct answer)
- Waiting for the team leader to look at the monitor independently
Correct answer: Clearly stating 'The monitor shows V-fib — do you want me to charge the defibrillator?'
Assertive, specific communication with a proposed action allows the team leader to quickly confirm or redirect without ambiguity.
Question 4: What is the recommended compression-to-ventilation ratio for a 2-person PALS resuscitation of an infant WITHOUT an advanced airway?
- 30:2
- 15:2 (Correct answer)
- 15:1
- 30:1
Correct answer: 15:2
For 2-rescuer infant/child CPR without an advanced airway, the compression-to-ventilation ratio is 15:2.
Question 5: A team member notices that compressions have been ongoing for 3 minutes without a compressor change. What should they do?
- Say nothing — the current compressor seems fine
- Wait for the team leader to notice
- Proactively offer to rotate in: 'I'm ready to take over compressions' (Correct answer)
- Stop the code and insist on a change immediately
Correct answer: Proactively offer to rotate in: 'I'm ready to take over compressions'
Proactively offering to rotate compressions prevents quality degradation without disrupting the flow of resuscitation.
Question 6: Which element is ESSENTIAL for effective 'knowledge sharing' within a resuscitation team?
- All team members having identical training backgrounds
- Only the team leader possessing clinical knowledge
- Team members communicating relevant clinical findings and concerns throughout the event (Correct answer)
- Restricting communication to formal hand-off moments only
Correct answer: Team members communicating relevant clinical findings and concerns throughout the event
Continuous sharing of clinical findings — such as capnography readings or IV access status — keeps all team members informed and improves decision-making.
Question 7: A parent is present during a pediatric resuscitation. Who on the team is BEST suited to communicate with the family?
- The team leader, who pauses directing the team
- A designated team member assigned specifically to family support (Correct answer)
- The recorder, who can relay documented events
- No one — family should not be present
Correct answer: A designated team member assigned specifically to family support
Assigning a dedicated family support person allows the rest of the team to focus on resuscitation while the family receives compassionate, continuous updates.
PALS Resuscitation Team Dynamics 4
During a pediatric resuscitation, the team leader is also performing chest compressions.
What is the MAIN risk of this situation?