Pediatric Flashcards
7 cards from real Physician Assistant practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 7 Pediatric flashcards as text
A 2-year-old presents with sudden onset of high fever (40°C), toxic appearance, drooling, and tripod positioning. She is refusing to open her mouth. What is the most likely diagnosis?
Answer: Epiglottitis
Epiglottitis presents with the classic triad of drooling, dysphagia, and distress, often with a tripod position; it is a true airway emergency requiring immediate stabilization.
A 16-year-old female athlete presents with stress fracture, amenorrhea for 8 months, and BMI of 16.5. What is this triad called?
Answer: Female athlete triad
The female athlete triad consists of energy deficiency (often with disordered eating), menstrual dysfunction, and low bone mineral density.
A 6-year-old with Down syndrome (trisomy 21) presents for a well-child visit. Which screening is uniquely important in this population?
Answer: Thyroid function tests
Children with Down syndrome have a markedly increased risk of autoimmune thyroid disease (hypothyroidism) and should have TSH screened annually.
A breastfed 3-week-old has jaundice with a total bilirubin of 18 mg/dL. The infant is feeding well, gaining weight, and has a normal exam. What is the most appropriate management?
Answer: Continue breastfeeding and recheck bilirubin in 24 hours
Breast milk jaundice is benign, peaks at 2–3 weeks, and resolves spontaneously; breastfeeding should be continued with close monitoring unless bilirubin exceeds phototherapy thresholds.
A 12-year-old presents with new-onset polyuria, polydipsia, and a 5 kg weight loss over 3 weeks. Random glucose is 320 mg/dL with positive ketones. What is the immediate priority?
Answer: Administer IV fluids and insulin infusion for DKA
This presentation is classic for diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) in new-onset type 1 diabetes, requiring urgent IV fluid resuscitation and insulin infusion.
A 3-month-old is brought in by parents concerned about a flat spot on the back-left of the skull. The ear on the affected side is pushed forward. What is the diagnosis?
Answer: Positional plagiocephaly
Positional (deformational) plagiocephaly results from prolonged pressure on one area of the skull and is distinguished from craniosynostosis by the ear displacement pattern.
A 10-year-old presents with limping and dull hip pain for 3 weeks. X-ray shows flattening and fragmentation of the femoral head. What is the diagnosis?
Answer: Legg-Calvé-Perthes disease
Legg-Calvé-Perthes disease is avascular necrosis of the femoral head in children aged 4–10, presenting with insidious hip pain and radiographic femoral head fragmentation.