PEARS Managing Respiratory Emergencies 2

Question 1

A 3-year-old presents with sudden onset of stridor, drooling, and refusal to swallow. Which intervention is most appropriate initially?

Accepted Answer

Allow the child to maintain a position of comfort and prepare for airway management

Answer

In suspected epiglottitis, allowing the child to assume a position of comfort (usually tripod position) minimizes agitation and reduces risk of complete airway obstruction.

Question 2

During management of a pediatric patient in respiratory distress, which finding best indicates that bag-mask ventilation is effective?

Accepted Answer

Visible chest rise with each breath

Answer

Visible and bilateral chest rise confirms adequate tidal volume delivery during bag-mask ventilation.

Question 3

A 6-year-old with known asthma presents with severe wheezing, accessory muscle use, and SpO2 of 88%. After albuterol, SpO2 rises to 91%. What is the next best step?

Accepted Answer

Administer systemic corticosteroids and reassess

Answer

Systemic corticosteroids reduce airway inflammation and are indicated when initial bronchodilator therapy does not fully resolve a moderate-to-severe asthma exacerbation.

Question 4

When selecting a bag-mask for a pediatric patient, which sizing criterion is most important?

Accepted Answer

The mask covers the nose and mouth without overlapping the eyes or chin

Answer

A properly sized mask creates a seal from the bridge of the nose to the chin cleft without covering the eyes, preventing injury and ensuring an airtight seal.

Question 5

A 10-month-old is found unresponsive with labored, gasping respirations. After opening the airway, you note poor air entry. What is the most likely cause?

Accepted Answer

Airway obstruction from the tongue

Answer

In an unresponsive infant, the most common cause of airway obstruction is the tongue falling back against the posterior pharynx, which can be relieved by head-tilt chin-lift or jaw thrust.

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

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

PEARS Managing Respiratory Emergencies 2