Pediatric Nurse Common Pediatric Emergencies Questions and Answers

Question 1

A 5-year-old is brought to the emergency department after a bee sting.
The child is anxious, with widespread urticaria, inspiratory stridor, and diffuse wheezing.
Vital signs are: HR 140, RR 32, BP 70/40 mmHg, SpO2 92%.
What is the priority medication to administer?

Accepted Answer

Epinephrine IM

Answer

Diphenhydramine IV

Answer

Albuterol via nebulizer

Answer

Methylprednisolone IV

Question 2

A nurse is assessing a 7-year-old child who sustained a head injury after falling from a bicycle. Which of the following is considered an early sign of increased intracranial pressure (ICP) in a conscious child?

Accepted Answer

Headache and vomiting

Answer

Bradycardia

Answer

Fixed and dilated pupils

Answer

Decorticate posturing

Question 3

An 8-month-old infant is brought to the ED with a history of sudden, intermittent episodes of inconsolable crying and drawing his knees to his chest. The parent reports one diaper with bloody, mucus-like stool. Between episodes, the infant is lethargic. Which condition should the nurse suspect?

Accepted Answer

Intussusception

Answer

Gastroenteritis

Answer

Pyloric Stenosis

Answer

Appendicitis

Question 4

A 10-year-old with a new diagnosis of Type 1 Diabetes is brought to the ED with lethargy, Kussmaul respirations, and a blood glucose of 520 mg/dL. The child is tachycardic and has dry mucous membranes. The nurse should anticipate which initial intravenous fluid bolus for resuscitation?

Accepted Answer

0.9% Normal Saline

Answer

Dextrose 5% in 0.45% Saline

Answer

Lactated Ringer's with 40 mEq of potassium

Answer

3% Saline

Question 5

A 2-year-old is brought to the emergency department after ingesting a handful of their mother's prenatal vitamins. The nurse should be prepared for which priority intervention, as it is the specific chelating agent for severe iron toxicity?

Accepted Answer

Deferoxamine

Answer

N-acetylcysteine

Answer

Activated charcoal

Answer

Naloxone

Question 6

A 3-year-old is brought to the clinic following a witnessed choking episode while eating popcorn. The initial coughing has subsided, but the nurse auscultates wheezing and diminished breath sounds over the right lung fields. This presentation is most consistent with which of the following emergencies?

Accepted Answer

Foreign body aspiration

Answer

Acute asthma exacerbation

Answer

Laryngotracheobronchitis (Croup)

Answer

Bacterial pneumonia