Pediatric Emergency Questions with Correct Answers Graded A+

When a poison has been ingested by a child, the parents should be instructed to do which of the following first? a) Induce vomiting. b) Call the local poison control center. c) Administer an emetic. d) Get to an emergency facility. - Answer-Call the local poison control center. Correct Explanation: Not all poisons should be vomited. Strong acids, for example, could cause as much destruction of tissue being vomited as being swallowed. The poison control center will provide the most accurate information on the next steps for the patient. Assessment of a child reveals a tension pneumothorax. The nurse would prepare the child for which of the following? a) Needle thoracotomy b) Suctioning c) Intubation d) Defibrillation - Answer-Needle thoracotomy Correct Explanation: A needle thoracotomy is indicated for tension pneumothorax to relieve the air collected in the space. Intubation is indicated for apnea and in situations in which the airway cannot be maintained. Suctioning would be indicated for excessive airway secretions that influence airway patency. Defibrillation is used to stimulate or alter the heart's electrical rhythm. A 6-year-old girl who is being treated for shock is pulseless with an irregular heart rate of 32 BPM. Choose the priority intervention: a) Administer doses defibrillator shocks in a row b) Initiate cardiac compressions c) Give three doses of epinephrine d) Defibrillate once followed by three cycles of cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) - Answer-Initiate cardiac compressions Correct Explanation: The American Heart Association (AHA) emphasizes the importance of cardiac compressions in pulseless clients with arrhythmias, making this the priority intervention in this situation. Current AHA recommendations are for defibrillation to be administered once followed by five cycles of CPR. The AHA now recommends against using multiple doses of epinephrine because they have not been shown to be helpful and may actually cause harm to the child. A 3-year-old girl had a near-drowning incident when she fell into a wading pool. Which intervention would be of the highest priority? a) Inserting a nasogastric tube to decompress stomach b) Assuring the child stays still during an X-ray c) Suctioning the upper airway to ensure airway patency d) Covering the child with warming blankets - Answer-Suctioning the upper airway to ensure airway patency Correct Explanation: Due to the potentially devastating effects of drowning-related hypoxia on a child's brain, airway interventions must be initiated immediately. The child's airway should be suctioned to ensure patency. Other interventions such as covering the child with blankets, inserting a nasogastric tube, and assuring that the child remains still during X-ray are interventions that are appropriate once airway patency is achieved and maintained