Pediatric Critical Care Practice Questions

Q: A child with moderate to severe head injury is admitted in PICU. First line treatments are all except:

IV mannitol. ***IV mannitol*** - While **intravenous mannitol** is used in the management of head injury to reduce **intracranial pressure (ICP)**, it is **not a first-line treatment**. - It is a **second-line therapy** reserved for documented or suspected elevated ICP despite initial supportive measures. - First-line management focuses on maintaining adequate oxygenation, ventilation, and cerebral perfusion, while mannitol is used for specific ICP management when needed. *Analgesia and sedation* - **Analgesia and sedation** are essential **first-line treatments** to reduce pain, anxiety, and agitation, which can increase **intracranial pressure (ICP)**. - These therapies ensure patient comfort, decrease metabolic demand, facilitate mechanical ventilation, and prevent secondary brain injury. *Hypothermia* - **Therapeutic hypothermia** is **NOT routinely recommended** as a first-line treatment in pediatric traumatic brain injury. - Current evidence (including the Cool Kids trial) has not demonstrated benefit, and it may be associated with adverse effects. - It is considered **investigational** and not part of standard first-line management protocols. - **Note**: While this is also not first-line, the question specifically tests knowledge that mannitol is second-line therapy for ICP management. *Controlled mechanical ventilation* - **Controlled mechanical ventilation** is a fundamental **first-line treatment** for severe head injury to secure the airway and ensure adequate oxygenation and ventilation. - Prevents secondary brain injury from **hypoxia** and **hypercapnia**, which can worsen outcomes. - Maintaining appropriate **PaCO2 levels** is critical to control cerebral blood flow and intracranial pressure.

Q: In severe CNS infections in children with complications, treatment may include:

All of the options. ***All of the options*** - Treatment for **severe and complicated CNS infections** in children often requires a **multi-pronged approach** beyond antimicrobial therapy to manage severe neurological impairment, respiratory compromise, and immune-mediated complications. - Depending on the severity and specific infection, **IV Ig**, **ventilation**, and **plasmapheresis** may all be necessary adjunctive interventions to support the child and combat inflammation/autoimmune components. - **Note:** Primary treatment includes appropriate antimicrobials (antibiotics/antivirals), but this question focuses on adjunctive therapies for complicated cases. *IV Ig* - **Intravenous immunoglobulins (IV Ig)** are used in severe CNS infections with immune-mediated components, particularly **autoimmune encephalitis**, **post-infectious encephalomyelitis (ADEM)**, or severe viral encephalitis. - IV Ig modulates the immune response and may reduce neurological damage in specific scenarios. *Ventilation* - **Mechanical ventilation** is crucial for patients with severe CNS infections who develop respiratory compromise due to **brainstem dysfunction**, **refractory seizures**, **increased intracranial pressure** leading to hypoventilation, or **decreased consciousness** (GCS ≤8). - Essential for respiratory support and maintaining adequate oxygenation/ventilation in critically ill patients. *Plasmapheresis* - **Plasmapheresis** (plasma exchange) is used in specific CNS infections with **autoimmune or highly inflammatory components**, such as **autoimmune encephalitis**, **acute disseminated encephalomyelitis (ADEM)**, or **severe CNS vasculitis**. - Removes harmful autoantibodies and inflammatory mediators from circulation, particularly when IV Ig is insufficient.

Q: Endotracheal concentration of adrenaline in pediatric CPR (when IV/IO access is not available) is:

1:1,000. ***1:1,000*** - The recommended **endotracheal concentration of adrenaline** (epinephrine) in pediatric CPR when intravenous (IV) or intraosseous (IO) access is not available is **1:1,000**. - This concentration allows for sufficient absorption through the tracheobronchial tree to achieve systemic effects, although the **intravenous route is preferred**. *1:100,000* - This concentration is too dilute for effective endotracheal administration of adrenaline during CPR and would likely not provide the necessary systemic response. - While various concentrations exist for different uses, this specific concentration is not indicated for **endotracheal adrenaline administration in pediatric CPR**. *1:10,000* - The **1:10,000 concentration** is typically used for **intravenous or intraosseous administration of adrenaline** during CPR, not for endotracheal delivery. - Endotracheal administration requires a more concentrated solution (1:1,000) to compensate for less reliable and slower absorption compared to direct vascular access. *1:1,000,000* - This concentration is far too dilute for any effective administration of adrenaline in a cardiac arrest situation, whether via endotracheal or vascular routes. - Such a high dilution would render the drug ineffective in achieving the desired physiological response during CPR.

Q: Which of the following is a sign of severe dehydration in a child?

Sunken eyes. ***Sunken eyes*** - **Sunken eyes** are a classic sign of significant fluid loss, indicating a depletion of interstitial fluid around the eyes. - This finding is a strong indicator of **moderate to severe dehydration** in children, along with other signs like absent tears and dry mucous membranes. *Normal skin turgor* - **Normal skin turgor** means the skin returns quickly to its original position after being pinched, which is characteristic of adequate hydration. - In dehydration, skin turgor is usually **decreased**, meaning the skin will tent or recoil slowly. *Increased urine output* - **Increased urine output** is a sign of adequate hydration and proper kidney function, as the kidneys are able to excrete excess fluid. - In severe dehydration, the body conserves fluid, leading to significantly **decreased urine output** (oliguria) or no urine output (anuria). *Moist mucous membranes* - **Moist mucous membranes** (e.g., in the mouth or nose) indicate sufficient hydration, as the body can maintain secretions. - In dehydration, especially severe cases, mucous membranes become **dry and sticky** due to reduced fluid volume.

Q: What is the main goal of fluid resuscitation in a child with septic shock?

Restore blood pressure. ***Restore blood pressure*** - In septic shock, **vasodilation** and extravasation of fluids lead to decreased **effective circulating volume** and profound **hypotension**. - Aggressive fluid resuscitation is critical to restore adequate **mean arterial pressure** and improve **organ perfusion**. *Increase urine output* - While increased urine output is a positive sign of improved renal perfusion, it is a **consequence** of successful resuscitation rather than the primary goal. - The main focus is on addressing the circulatory dysfunction that leads to **oliguria** in the first place. *Reduce heart rate* - A **high heart rate** (tachycardia) in septic shock is a compensatory mechanism to maintain **cardiac output** in the face of reduced preload and systemic vascular resistance. - Reducing heart rate directly is not the primary goal of fluid resuscitation and may even be harmful if **cardiac output** is already compromised. *Decrease fever* - Fever is a systemic inflammatory response to infection and is typically managed with **antipyretics**, not primarily with fluid resuscitation. - While fluids can help prevent complications of hyperthermia like dehydration, the main goal in shock is **hemodynamic stabilization**.

Q: Fluid of choice for shock in a child with severe acute malnutrition + hypoglycemia

Ringer lactate + 5% dextrose. ***Ringer lactate + 5% dextrose*** - This combination provides both **electrolytes** (from Ringer lactate) to help correct **shock** and **glucose** (from 5% dextrose) to address **hypoglycemia** in a child with severe acute malnutrition (SAM). - Patients with SAM are at a high risk of **hypoglycemia** during shock, making glucose supplementation crucial. *Normal saline* - While suitable for initial fluid resuscitation in shock, it does **not contain glucose** and would not address the concomitant hypoglycemia. - Excessive use of normal saline can also lead to **hyperchloremic metabolic acidosis**, which is undesirable in already compromised patients. *Ringer lactate* - Ringer lactate provides **electrolytes** and is a good crystalloid for shock resuscitation, but it **lacks glucose** to correct hypoglycemia. - In SAM patients, where energy stores are depleted, simply providing Ringer lactate might not be sufficient to prevent or treat hypoglycemia. *10% dextrose* - 10% dextrose would effectively treat **hypoglycemia** but is not an appropriate fluid for fluid resuscitation in **shock**. - It would not adequately expand the intravascular volume or provide the necessary electrolytes for managing shock alone.

Q: Which of the following statements about the ABCDE approach in pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS) is incorrect?

Dehydration is a component of the ABCDE approach.. ***Dehydration is a component of the ABCDE approach.*** - The **ABCDE approach** in PALS focuses on **Airway, Breathing, Circulation, Disability, and Exposure**, which are immediate life threats. - While dehydration is a crucial clinical concern in children, it's a **diagnostic consideration** and management target, not a primary component of the initial rapid assessment categories (A, B, C, D, E) themselves. - Dehydration may affect circulation (C) but is not itself a separate component of the ABCDE framework. *Airway management is essential in PALS.* - **Airway** is the first step in the ABCDE approach, focusing on ensuring a **patent and protected airway** to allow for effective ventilation. - **Airway management** is critical in pediatric resuscitation to prevent respiratory arrest and optimize oxygen delivery. *Breathing assessment is part of the ABCDE approach.* - **Breathing** is the second step, involving the assessment of **respiratory rate, effort, breath sounds, and oxygen saturation**. - Effective breathing is vital for adequate **oxygenation and ventilation**, and addressing breathing problems is a key part of PALS. *Circulation is a critical component of the ABCDE approach.* - **Circulation** is the third step, involving the assessment of **heart rate, blood pressure, capillary refill time, and peripheral perfusion**. - **Circulatory assessment** helps identify shock or cardiac arrest, which require immediate intervention. - The complete ABCDE also includes **Disability** (neurological status assessment using AVPU or GCS) and **Exposure** (full examination while preventing hypothermia).

Q: In an infant who is choking and conscious, what is the next step after performing back blows?

Perform chest thrusts. ***Perform chest thrusts*** - For a choking infant, the **Heimlich maneuver** is not performed; instead, a sequence of **five back blows** followed by **five chest thrusts** is recommended. - Chest thrusts create an artificial cough to dislodge the foreign object, acting as the next critical step in the sequence after back blows. *Call for emergency services* - While calling for emergency services is crucial, it is done **after attempting to clear the airway** with back blows and chest thrusts, especially if the infant is still choking. - Immediate action to dislodge the object takes precedence to prevent loss of consciousness. *Check the mouth for foreign objects* - Checking the mouth is important, but it should be done **after each cycle** of five back blows and five chest thrusts, and only if the object is visible. - Blindly sweeping the mouth is not recommended as it could push the object further down. *Initiate CPR* - CPR (chest compressions and rescue breaths) is initiated only if the infant becomes **unresponsive** and stops breathing, indicating cardiac arrest, not while the infant is still conscious and choking. - The immediate goal is to clear the airway before the infant loses consciousness.

Q: During pediatric basic life support (BLS), what is the recommended depth of chest compressions for children?

5 cm. ***5 cm*** - For children, the recommended chest compression depth is approximately **5 cm (2 inches)**, which is roughly **one-third the anterior-posterior diameter** of the chest. - This depth ensures adequate blood flow to vital organs while minimizing the risk of injury. *1 cm* - A compression depth of **1 cm is too shallow** and would be insufficient to create effective blood circulation in a child. - Inadequate depth can lead to **poor perfusion** and significantly reduce the chances of survival during cardiac arrest. *2 cm* - While greater than 1 cm, **2 cm is still insufficient** for effective chest compressions in most children. - This depth would not generate enough force to circulate blood adequately, leading to **poor outcomes**. *8 cm* - A compression depth of **8 cm is too deep** for a child and could cause serious internal injuries, such as **rib fractures** or damage to vital organs like the lungs or liver. - Such aggressive compressions are typically reserved for adults, where a deeper compression is recommended.

Question 1

A child with moderate to severe head injury is admitted in PICU. First line treatments are all except:

Accepted Answer

IV mannitol

Answer

Analgesia and sedation

Answer

Hypothermia

Answer

Controlled mechanical ventilation

Question 2

In severe CNS infections in children with complications, treatment may include:

Accepted Answer

All of the options

Answer

IV Ig

Answer

Ventilation

Answer

Plasmapheresis

Question 3

Endotracheal concentration of adrenaline in pediatric CPR (when IV/IO access is not available) is:

Accepted Answer

1:1,000

Answer

1:100,000

Answer

1:1,000,000

Answer

1:10,000

Question 4

Which of the following is a sign of severe dehydration in a child?

Accepted Answer

Sunken eyes

Answer

Normal skin turgor

Answer

Increased urine output

Answer

Moist mucous membranes

Question 5

What is the most appropriate initial fluid for severe dehydration with shock in a 2-year-old with acute gastroenteritis?

Accepted Answer

Normal saline bolus

Answer

Half-strength saline

Answer

Ringer lactate

Answer

ORS

Question 6

What is the main goal of fluid resuscitation in a child with septic shock?

Accepted Answer

Restore blood pressure

Answer

Increase urine output

Answer

Reduce heart rate

Answer

Decrease fever

Question 7

Fluid of choice for shock in a child with severe acute malnutrition + hypoglycemia

Accepted Answer

Ringer lactate + 5% dextrose

Answer

Normal saline

Answer

Ringer lactate

Answer

10% dextrose

Question 8

Which of the following statements about the ABCDE approach in pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS) is incorrect?

Accepted Answer

Dehydration is a component of the ABCDE approach.

Answer

Airway management is essential in PALS.

Answer

Breathing assessment is part of the ABCDE approach.

Answer

Circulation is a critical component of the ABCDE approach.

Question 9

In an infant who is choking and conscious, what is the next step after performing back blows?

Accepted Answer

Perform chest thrusts

Answer

Call for emergency services

Answer

Check the mouth for foreign objects

Answer

Initiate CPR

Question 10

During pediatric basic life support (BLS), what is the recommended depth of chest compressions for children?

Accepted Answer

5 cm

Answer

1 cm

Answer

2 cm

Answer

8 cm

Pediatric Critical Care — MCQs

Pediatric Critical Care — MCQs

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