PEARS - Pediatric Emergency Assessment, Recognition, and Stabilization Child and Infant BLS Questions and Answers

Question 1

A lone healthcare provider finds an 8-month-old infant is unresponsive, apneic, and pulseless. After shouting for help and activating the emergency response system, what is the correct compression-to-ventilation ratio the provider should use?

Accepted Answer

30 compressions to 2 breaths

Answer

According to the American Heart Association (AHA) guidelines, a single rescuer performing CPR on an infant or child should use a compression-to-ventilation ratio of 30:2. The 15:2 ratio is reserved for two-rescuer CPR for infants and children.

Question 2

When performing high-quality chest compressions on a 6-month-old infant, what is the recommended compression depth?

Accepted Answer

Approximately 1.5 inches (4 cm)

Answer

The recommended depth for chest compressions in an infant is approximately 1.5 inches (4 cm), which is about one-third the anterior-posterior diameter of the chest. A depth of 2 inches is recommended for children, not infants.

Question 3

You are assessing an unresponsive 9-month-old. Which of the following is the correct anatomical site to check for a pulse in this patient?

Accepted Answer

Brachial artery

Answer

For an infant (less than 1 year of age), the pulse should be checked at the brachial artery, located on the inside of the upper arm between the elbow and shoulder. The carotid artery can be difficult to palpate on an infant due to their short, thick necks, and the radial pulse can be weak and difficult to find.

Question 4

A 4-year-old child is found to be unresponsive with a palpable carotid pulse of 75/min but is not breathing. What is the most appropriate immediate intervention?

Accepted Answer

Provide rescue breaths at a rate of 1 breath every 2-3 seconds.

Answer

For a child with a palpable pulse (≥60/min) but inadequate or absent breathing, the correct intervention is to provide rescue breaths. The AHA guideline rate for pediatric rescue breathing is 1 breath every 2-3 seconds (20-30 breaths per minute). Chest compressions are not indicated as the pulse is adequate, and the adult rescue breathing rate (1 every 6 seconds) is too slow.

Question 5

You are a single provider who witnesses the sudden collapse of a 7-year-old child. After confirming the scene is safe and the child is unresponsive, you shout for help. What is the very next action you should take?

Accepted Answer

Check for breathing and a pulse simultaneously.

Answer

The BLS algorithm for a single provider who witnesses a sudden collapse is to first ensure safety, check responsiveness, and shout for help. The next immediate step is to simultaneously assess for breathing (or gasping) and check for a pulse for no more than 10 seconds. This assessment determines whether CPR or rescue breathing is needed. If no one responds to the shout for help, the provider should activate the emergency response system (e.g., call 911 on a mobile device) before starting CPR.

(PEARS) Pediatric Emergency Assessment, Recognition, and Stabilization Practice Test

(PEARS) Pediatric Emergency Assessment, Recognition, and Stabilization Practice Test

PEARS - Pediatric Emergency Assessment, Recognition, and Stabilization Child and Infant BLS Questions and Answers