Paramedics Exam Pediatric Emergencies 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A 3-year-old weighing 15 kg presents in respiratory distress. Using the Broselow tape, what is the primary purpose of this tool in pediatric emergencies?
- To estimate blood pressure by age
- To estimate weight-based drug dosing and equipment sizes (Correct answer)
- To calculate Apgar scores
- To determine Glasgow Coma Scale
Correct answer: To estimate weight-based drug dosing and equipment sizes
The Broselow tape estimates pediatric weight based on length, allowing rapid calculation of weight-based drug doses and appropriate equipment sizes.
Question 2: A 6-year-old presents with anaphylaxis after a bee sting. What is the correct epinephrine dose for a child weighing 20 kg?
- 0.01 mg/kg IM of 1:1,000 (max 0.5 mg) (Correct answer)
- 0.1 mg/kg IV of 1:10,000
- 0.5 mg IM regardless of weight
- 0.001 mg/kg IV of 1:1,000
Correct answer: 0.01 mg/kg IM of 1:1,000 (max 0.5 mg)
Pediatric epinephrine for anaphylaxis is 0.01 mg/kg IM of 1:1,000 solution, with a maximum single dose of 0.5 mg.
Question 3: A 2-year-old is found unresponsive. You confirm no pulse. What is the correct compression-to-ventilation ratio for a single rescuer?
- 15:2
- 30:2 (Correct answer)
- 5:1
- 20:2
Correct answer: 30:2
A single rescuer uses a 30:2 compression-to-ventilation ratio for pediatric CPR, consistent with adult single-rescuer guidelines.
Question 4: An 8-year-old with known seizure disorder has been seizing for 8 minutes. Medical direction orders diazepam rectally. The correct dose is:
- 0.5 mg/kg rectally
- 0.2-0.5 mg/kg rectally, max 10 mg (Correct answer)
- 1 mg/kg rectally
- 5 mg regardless of weight
Correct answer: 0.2-0.5 mg/kg rectally, max 10 mg
Rectal diazepam for pediatric seizures is dosed at 0.2–0.5 mg/kg with a maximum of 10 mg per dose.
Question 5: A 4-year-old presents with stridor, drooling, and a fever of 103°F. The child prefers to sit upright and lean forward. What condition is most likely?
- Croup
- Epiglottitis (Correct answer)
- Bronchiolitis
- Foreign body aspiration
Correct answer: Epiglottitis
Epiglottitis classically presents with high fever, drooling, stridor, and the tripod position; avoid agitating the child or examining the throat.
Question 6: You are treating a 10-year-old in decompensated shock. After two 20 mL/kg fluid boluses of normal saline with no improvement, what is your next intervention?
- Administer a third 20 mL/kg bolus immediately
- Consider vasopressor support and reassess (Correct answer)
- Switch to D5W bolus
- Give 10 mL/kg packed red blood cells
Correct answer: Consider vasopressor support and reassess
If two fluid boluses fail to restore perfusion, consider vasopressor therapy (dopamine or epinephrine) and contact medical direction for further guidance.
Question 7: A 7-year-old is in pulseless ventricular fibrillation. What is the correct initial defibrillation dose?
- 1 J/kg
- 2 J/kg (Correct answer)
- 4 J/kg
- 360 J fixed
Correct answer: 2 J/kg
The initial defibrillation dose for pediatric VF/pVT is 2 J/kg; subsequent shocks are increased to 4 J/kg.
Paramedics Exam Pediatric Emergencies 2
A 3-year-old weighing 15 kg presents in respiratory distress.
Using the Broselow tape, what is the primary purpose of this tool in pediatric emergencies?