Pediatric Dysrhythmia Recognition Flashcards

What is the most common cause of bradycardia in infants and young children?

Answer: Hypoxia

Hypoxia is the most common cause of bradycardia in infants and young children; treating the hypoxia typically resolves the bradycardia.

Which ECG pattern is associated with Wolff-Parkinson-White (WPW) syndrome?

Answer: Delta wave with a shortened PR interval

WPW syndrome is identified by a delta wave (slurred QRS upstroke) and shortened PR interval caused by an accessory conduction pathway that pre-excites the ventricles.

A child is in cardiac arrest with ventricular fibrillation. What energy dose is used for the first defibrillation?

Answer: 2 J/kg

The initial defibrillation dose for children with VF or pulseless VT is 2 J/kg, with escalation to 4 J/kg for subsequent shocks.

Which rhythm is characterized by absent P waves, narrow QRS complexes, and a rate of 40-60 bpm?

Answer: Junctional escape rhythm

A junctional escape rhythm occurs when the AV node acts as pacemaker, producing narrow QRS complexes at 40-60 bpm with absent or retrograde P waves.

In third-degree (complete) AV block, what is the relationship between P waves and QRS complexes?

Answer: P waves and QRS complexes are completely independent with no consistent relationship

In complete AV block, the atria and ventricles beat independently—there is no consistent PR relationship between P waves and QRS complexes.

What is the most common cause of sinus tachycardia in a child?

Answer: Fever, pain, anxiety, or hypovolemia

Sinus tachycardia in children is most commonly a secondary physiologic response to fever, pain, anxiety, or hypovolemia, not a primary arrhythmia.

What is the first-line drug for stable SVT in a child when vagal maneuvers have failed?

Answer: Adenosine

Adenosine is the first-line pharmacological treatment for stable SVT in children after vagal maneuvers have failed, given as a rapid IV bolus.