Question 1

Which of the following statements is true regarding SIDS?

Accepted Answer

SIDS, or sudden infant death syndrome, is typically defined as the sudden and unexpected death of an apparently healthy infant under 1 year of age, with the cause of death remaining uncertain even after a thorough investigation. The majority of SIDS cases happen during sleep, and there is no evidence to suggest that it is caused by external suffocation. While certain factors may increase the risk of SIDS, such as placing an infant to sleep on their stomach or exposing them to secondhand smoke, not all children are at equal risk. SIDS most commonly occurs in infants between 1 and 4 months old, and is relatively rare in infants over 6 months old.

Question 2

Which of the following is a classic characteristic of a child abuser?

Accepted Answer

All of the options listed can be characteristics of a child abuser, though not exclusively or deterministically. A history of being abused, experiencing stress, and spending a lot of time with the child (potentially without support or relief) can all contribute to environments where abuse might occur.

Question 3

A 3-year-old child who burns both legs and arms has burned approximately ________% of his entire body surface area.

Accepted Answer

The rule of nines for estimating the percentage of an adult body surface area burned is adjusted for infants and children due to their different body proportions. In children, the head and neck account for a larger percentage, and the legs account for a smaller percentage compared to adults. For a 3-year-old child, each arm constitutes about 9% and each leg about 13.5%, totaling 45% for both arms and both legs.

Question 4

You are called for a 6-year-old girl who is not well.Her mother says that the child has been sick for several days but today she has had trouble keeping her daughter awake.You note that the girl's capillary refill time is 4 seconds and she has a skin rash.The MOST important part of your assessment will be to:

Accepted Answer

The answer of You are called for a 6-year-old girl...

Question 5

Which of the following should increase your suspicion of child abuse?

Accepted Answer

All of the options listed should increase suspicion of child abuse. Indications of alcohol and/or drug abuse in the home can contribute to a higher likelihood of abuse occurring. Improperly healed fractures that result in deformity of extremities are concerning because they may suggest repeated abuse. Bruises on the back and/or buttocks in various stages of healing can be indicative of physical abuse.

Question 6

For the EMT who has cared for a pediatric patient in tragic circumstances,which of the following would be an appropriate way of dealing with stress accompanying the experience?

Accepted Answer

Talking to a compassionate coworker who has had similar experiences in the past is an appropriate way of dealing with the stress accompanying the experience. This allows the EMT to process their emotions and feelings in a safe and supportive environment with someone who understands the situation. The other options are not appropriate as they may lead to additional harm or stress, either to the EMT or others.

Question 7

Which of the following statements is true regarding the skin and body surface area of children as compared to adults?

Accepted Answer

Children have a larger body surface-to-weight ratio than adults, which means they are more prone to heat loss through their skin. This is why children often need more clothing or blankets to stay warm in cold temperatures. The skin thickness and subcutaneous fat content can vary widely among individuals, regardless of age.

Question 8

Your patient is a 3-year-old child who is in severe respiratory distress.She is cyanotic and responds only to painful stimuli.According to the patient's mother,the child had complained of a sore throat earlier and has had a fever since early in the morning.Which of the following is the BEST course of action?

Accepted Answer

Given the child's severe respiratory distress, cyanosis, and responsiveness only to painful stimuli, the best course of action is to begin gentle ventilations with a bag-valve mask (BVM) and supplemental oxygen. This approach addresses the immediate need for oxygenation and ventilation without potentially worsening the situation through more invasive measures.

Question 9

Which of the following statements is true regarding child abuse injuries?

Accepted Answer

Rib fractures in young children suggest child abuse because young children's bones are more flexible than adults', and they are more likely to suffer rib fractures from abuse than from accidental trauma.

Additionally, the other statements are false. Splash burns can indicate accidental spills or immersion in hot water rather than child abuse. Shaken baby syndrome can cause death. Head injuries may be present in child abuse, but they are not always the first sign.

Question 10

Which of the following children may be at a higher risk for child abuse?

Accepted Answer

Each of the listed factors (disability, twin status, and prematurity) may increase a child's risk for abuse due to the additional stressors and challenges they may pose for caregivers. However, it's important to note that most children who have these traits are not abused, and that child abuse can occur in any family regardless of these factors.

Question 11

The most common type of burn injury suffered in the home by children is:

Accepted Answer

Scald burns are the most common type of burn injury suffered by children in the home. This is because young children have thinner skin, making them more susceptible to burns from hot liquids or steam. Electrical and chemical burns are also a concern, but they are less common in the home. Direct fire burns are less common as well, as most homes have smoke detectors, which help to prevent these types of accidents.

Question 12

Which of the following is LEAST common in a pedestrian child versus car incident?

Accepted Answer

Upper-extremity injuries are less common in pedestrian child versus car incidents because the child's body is typically lower to the ground than the car, and the car's bumper or grill is more likely to strike the child's head, chest, or abdomen.

Question 13

Which of the following is a sign of the MOST severe respiratory distress in a 1-year-old pediatric patient?

Accepted Answer

Decreased muscle tone in a 1-year-old pediatric patient indicates a significant decrease in the child's overall condition and is a sign of severe respiratory distress, potentially leading to respiratory failure. This is because it suggests that the child is too weak or fatigued to maintain adequate breathing effort.

Question 14

You have determined that your patient,a 6-year-old boy,most likely has epiglottitis.He has developed a high fever and appears very ill.You realize that this is a serious illness and you need to handle your patient carefully.You should:

Accepted Answer

Placing anything in the patient's mouth can cause the epiglottis to spasm and close off the airway, leading to potential respiratory distress or failure. It is important to maintain a calm and reassuring demeanor while monitoring the patient's breathing and providing adequate oxygenation if necessary. Temperature checks, hydration, and positioning can also be beneficial, but avoiding anything that may trigger a spasm of the epiglottis is the top priority in managing a suspected case of epiglottitis.

Question 15

Which of the following is the MOST common cause of death in children?

Accepted Answer

Trauma is the most common cause of death in children, often resulting from accidents such as motor vehicle collisions, falls, or drowning.

Question 16

Which of the following is an early sign of respiratory distress in an 18-month-old patient?

Accepted Answer

Wheezing is an early sign of respiratory distress in an 18-month-old patient. It indicates narrowing of the airways and can be an indication of underlying asthma or infection. A heart rate of 60 beats per minute is abnormally low for a child of this age and likely indicates bradycardia. Drowsiness may indicate fatigue or sedation but is not specific to respiratory distress. A respiratory rate of 12 breaths per minute may be normal for an 18-month-old child and does not necessarily indicate distress.

Question 17

Which of the following is the MOST common cause of seizures in infants and children?

Accepted Answer

The most common cause of seizures in infants and children is a fever, also known as febrile seizures. This type of seizure is usually self-limited and does not result in permanent neurological damage. It typically occurs in children between 6 months and 5 years of age, and is often associated with a rapid rise in body temperature. Hypoglycemia, hypoxia, and poisoning can also cause seizures in children, but they are less common causes.

Question 18

Your patient is a 2-year-old female who has suffered a seizure but does not have a previous history of seizures.The patient's father states that the child has been pulling at her ear and has had a fever.They were getting ready to leave for a doctor's appointment when the child had a brief seizure.The patient is drowsy and has hot,flushed skin.Which of the following is recommended in the prehospital management of this patient?

Accepted Answer

The patient's symptoms are consistent with a febrile seizure, which can occur in young children with fever. The recommended prehospital management includes removing excess clothing to help lower the patient's body temperature. Sponging the patient with rubbing alcohol or covering with a towel soaked in ice water can actually cause the patient's body temperature to drop too quickly and lead to other complications. Placing ice packs in the armpits, groin, and around the head is also not recommended as it can cause vasoconstriction and actually increase the patient's body temperature.

Question 19

You are responding to a 6-year-old child with a fever and difficulty breathing.His mother reports that he was playing normally this morning but when he came in for lunch he had spiked a fever.Now,he is sitting up with his mouth open,drooling.Which of the following signs would point to epiglottitis?

Accepted Answer

Painful swallowing is a key symptom of epiglottitis, a serious condition where the epiglottis swells, blocking airflow to the lungs. The child's posture (sitting up with mouth open) and drooling also support this diagnosis, as they indicate difficulty swallowing and breathing.

Question 20

Which of the following signs may signify impending cardiac arrest in a child?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Which of the following signs may signify...

Quiz 33: Pediatric Emergencies