Commonly asked question in a pediatric life support test
The PALS test assesses your ability to recognize and treat ill infants and children. It tests your skills in managing respiratory failure, shock, and cardiac arrest. It also tests your ability to perform life-saving interventions like CPR, airway management, and defibrillation. Below are the five common questions you will find in the pediatric life support tests and practice guide:
What are the differences between adult and pediatric cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) techniques?
When required to perform life-saving techniques, knowing the differences between adult and pediatric CPR is vital. Since children and adults have different physical needs, your approach must be based on the patient’s age and size.
| Aspect | Adult CPR | Pediatric CPR |
| Compression depth | 2 to 2.4 inches (5 to 6 cm) | About 1.5 inches (4 cm) |
| Compression rate | 100 to 120 compressions per minute | 100 to 120 compressions per minute |
| Breath ratio | 30:2 (single rescuer) | 30:2 (single rescuer) 15:2 (two rescuers) |
| Hand positioning | Hands-on the lower half of the sternum | One or two hands (depending on size) on the sternum |
| Rescue breaths | 2 breaths after every 30 compressions | 2 breaths after every 30 compressions |
What are the signs of respiratory distress in infants and children?
It's important to spot the early signs of respiratory distress. Children in respiratory distress require immediate attention to prevent further complications. Some early signs of respiratory complications include:
- Rapid breathing: An increased respiratory rate.
- Grunting: A sound made during exhalation indicates the child is experiencing difficulty breathing.
- Nasal flaring: Widening of the nostrils when inhaling.
- Retractions: An apparent and visible skin sinking between the ribs or under the rib cage during inhalation.
- Cyanosis: A bluish appearance on the lips or face area, indicating low oxygen levels.
How do you assess a child’s responsiveness during an emergency?
In an emergency, rapid condition assessment is critical. This assessment helps you determine the situation responsibly and the necessary next steps.
- Call the child’s name: Speak loudly and clearly to the child. If the child is unresponsive, you should immediately seek emergency assistance and begin life-saving interventions based on their condition.
- Gently shake the child’s shoulder: If the child does not respond to your voice, lightly shake their shoulder.
- Evaluate the response: Observe whether the child opens their eyes, makes sounds, or moves in response to your query.
How do you administer rescue breaths to a child?
This is the most commonly asked question in the pediatric life support test questions and practice guide. The answer is that properly administering rescue breaths ensures the child receives enough oxygen. The technique differs slightly from adult CPR, and it is important to know the correct method. Using this technique ensures the child receives adequate ventilation during an emergency.
Here is how what to do:
- Position the child: Lay the child flat on their back on a firm surface.
- Open the airway: Use the head tilt-chin lift technique to open the airway. For infants, keep the head in a neutral position.
- Create a seal: For children, cover the child’s mouth with your mouth and keep a tight seal. For infants, cover both of the infant’s noses and mouths.
- Deliver the breaths: Give two gentle breaths, each lasting one second. Watch for the chest to rise.
How do you manage choking in infants and children?
Choking needs immediate intervention. Knowing the appropriate steps for infants and children can help prevent any negative outcome. You must pay attention to the stepwise procedure given in the pediatric life support test questions and practice guide to be able to answer this question correctly.
For infants under one year:
- Check if the infant can cough: If the infant is coughing or breathing, allow them to continue trying to clear the blockage.
- Give back blows: Administer five firm back blows between the infant’s shoulder blades.
- Chest thrusts: If the choked object does not come out, turn the infant face up and give five chest thrusts using two fingers.
For children (over one year):
- Check if the child can cough: Encourage them to continue coughing if they can.
- Perform abdominal thrusts (Heimlich maneuver): Stand behind the child, place your arms around their waist, and use a fist to deliver upward thrusts just above the navel.
- Repeat if necessary: Continue until the object is dislodged.
Conclusion
Answering and revising pediatric life support test questions and practice guides requires a solid knowledge of key concepts. While preparing for the test, remember that respiratory distress, CPR, and choking are essential pediatric care skills. Practising these is a must for certification and boosting your confidence to handle real-life situations. As you study and build your PALS knowledge, remember that preparation is the key.