PEARS Emergency Recognition 4

Question 1

When assessing skin perfusion in a child, a capillary refill time greater than how many seconds is considered abnormal?

Accepted Answer

2 seconds

Answer

Capillary refill time greater than 2 seconds after blanching the nail bed indicates poor peripheral perfusion in a child in a warm environment.

Question 2

A 7-year-old is found unresponsive and apneic with a weak central pulse. What is the immediate priority according to PEARS?

Accepted Answer

Begin CPR

Answer

An unresponsive, apneic child with a weak pulse in cardiac arrest requires immediate initiation of high-quality CPR.

Question 3

Which condition causes the triad of altered mental status, fever, and non-blanching petechial or purpuric rash in a child?

Accepted Answer

Meningococcemia

Answer

Meningococcemia presents with a rapidly progressing non-blanching rash, fever, and septic shock and requires immediate antibiotic therapy.

Question 4

In a child with distributive shock, which hemodynamic pattern is most typical early in the course?

Accepted Answer

High cardiac output and low systemic vascular resistance

Answer

Early distributive shock is characterized by vasodilation reducing systemic vascular resistance while cardiac output compensatorily increases, causing warm, flushed skin.

Question 5

Which finding on respiratory assessment indicates a lower airway problem rather than an upper airway problem?

Accepted Answer

Wheezing

Answer

Wheezing is generated by turbulent airflow through narrowed lower airways (bronchi/bronchioles) and indicates lower airway obstruction such as asthma or bronchiolitis.

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

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

PEARS Emergency Recognition 4