ACLS Practice Questions   ACLS PALS

The best answer is: true

Children who desaturate enough hemoglobin to produce cyanosis are at high risk for cardiopulmonary arrest. Cyanosis should be treated immediately to prevent organ damage and/or arrest.

The best answer is: all of the above

Wheezing is commonly a symptom of broncospasm, however, swelling of distal airways or mucous may cause or create the wheezing heard on auscultation.

The best answer is: true

Manufacturers supply pediatric chest patches that better fit the smaller chest. In an extreme emergency, if only larger adult patches are available, place the patch in an anterior/posterior* position, making certain there is no contact between the two electrodes.

*Place one patch on the front of the chest, over the heart, left of the sternum if possible. Place the second patch at the cardiac level on the rear chest.

The best answer is: false

Because most pediatric patients have intact underlying physiology, they typically possess dramatic abilities to compensate for acute changes. Intense vasoconstriction is a common response to severe hypovolemia. Thus, these young patients may have serious intra-vascular volume loss, and through their ability to compensate, have a “normal” blood pressure. That is why assessing all physiologic parameters should be used to confirm shock. Capillary refill is not affected by compensation, thus, is a valuable measurement. Children with acceptable perfusion will usually have 1 second or less capillary refill time. Rapid breathing (tachypnea) is a common response to tissue hypoxia brought about by shock. Differentiating a primary pulmonary dysfunction causing tachypnea vs. compensatory tachypnea is best done by assessing work of breathing. Patients with pulmonary dysfunction almost always have an increased work of breathing. Patients with compensatory tachypnea do not.

The best answer is: (1,2,3)

“Quality CPR” includes providing compressions “hard and fast” at the rate of 100/minute; allowing the chest to fully recoil between each delivered compression; AVOID hyperventilation; and avoid or minimize interruptions to CPR.