PEARS Stabilization Skills 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which chest compression depth is correct for a school-age child (approximately 8 years old)?
- At least 1.5 inches (4 cm)
- At least 2 inches (5 cm) (Correct answer)
- At least 2.4 inches (6 cm)
- At least 3 inches (7.5 cm)
Correct answer: At least 2 inches (5 cm)
For children (not infants), chest compressions should be at least 2 inches (5 cm) but no more than 2.4 inches (6 cm).
Question 2: A 6-month-old infant presents with tachypnea, grunting, and nasal flaring. What PEARS category best describes this presentation?
- Respiratory failure
- Respiratory distress (Correct answer)
- Cardiopulmonary failure
- Circulatory failure
Correct answer: Respiratory distress
Grunting, nasal flaring, and tachypnea with adequate oxygenation represent respiratory distress, not yet respiratory failure.
Question 3: During two-rescuer infant CPR, what compression-to-ventilation ratio is used?
- 30:2
- 15:2 (Correct answer)
- 30:1
- 15:1
Correct answer: 15:2
With two rescuers performing infant CPR, the ratio is 15 compressions to 2 breaths, allowing more frequent ventilations for infants.
Question 4: A child receiving assisted ventilation via bag-mask shows gastric distension. What corrective action should be taken?
- Increase ventilation rate
- Insert a nasogastric tube to decompress the stomach (Correct answer)
- Increase tidal volume
- Switch to mouth-to-mouth rescue breathing
Correct answer: Insert a nasogastric tube to decompress the stomach
Gastric distension during bag-mask ventilation can cause aspiration and restrict diaphragm movement; a nasogastric tube decompresses the stomach.
Question 5: In a child with suspected tension pneumothorax, which physical finding is MOST specific?
- SpO2 of 90%
- Tracheal deviation away from the affected side (Correct answer)
- Bilateral decreased breath sounds
- Heart rate of 140 bpm
Correct answer: Tracheal deviation away from the affected side
Tracheal deviation away from the affected side occurs as mediastinal structures are pushed by the trapped air in tension pneumothorax.
Question 6: During pediatric stabilization, which waveform capnography value indicates adequate ventilation in an intubated child?
- ETCO2 10–20 mmHg
- ETCO2 35–45 mmHg (Correct answer)
- ETCO2 50–60 mmHg
- ETCO2 greater than 60 mmHg
Correct answer: ETCO2 35–45 mmHg
An end-tidal CO2 of 35–45 mmHg reflects normoventilation and confirms proper endotracheal tube placement and adequate ventilation.
Question 7: A defibrillator is applied to a child in pulseless VF. What is the correct initial defibrillation dose?
- 1 J/kg
- 2 J/kg (Correct answer)
- 4 J/kg
- 10 J/kg
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.
PEARS Stabilization Skills 3
Which chest compression depth is correct for a school-age child (approximately 8 years old)?