Pediatric Patient Age Definitions

Questions and Answers

What is the age range for a pediatric patient to be considered a neonate?

Up to 24 hrs

1-12 years

1-28 days (correct)

1-12 months

Why should assessments and interventions be tailored to each child?

Because of their physical appearance

Because they may be shy or scared

Due to their age, size, developmental, and metabolic status (correct)

To avoid upsetting their caregivers

How should you communicate with a pediatric patient?

Use complex medical terminology to impress them

Speak loudly and clearly to get their attention

Avoid speaking to them altogether

Speak slowly and calmly using understandable words (correct)

When assessing a pediatric patient, what is an acceptable approach?

Keep the small child with their caregiver if appropriate Signup and view all the answers

Why may it be necessary to interview a child or adolescent without their caregiver present?

To gain accurate information regarding sensitive topics Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary concern when arriving at a scene?

Ensuring scene safety and controlling hazards Signup and view all the answers

What should you do if you identify a potential crime scene?

Make efforts to preserve the integrity of possible evidence Signup and view all the answers

What is an important consideration when deciding whether to transport a patient to definitive care?

The risk of waiting for additional resources against the benefit of rapid transport Signup and view all the answers

What is assessed during the 'Appearance' aspect of the pediatric assessment triangle?

Abnormal gaze and speech patterns Signup and view all the answers

What is an indication of potential spinal cord injury during the pediatric assessment triangle?

Arm or head position suggestive of SCI Signup and view all the answers

What precautions should be taken during patient assessment?

Use appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) and follow universal blood and body secretion precautions Signup and view all the answers

When obtaining a patient's blood pressure, what is the minimum cuff size requirement?

⅔ length of upper arm Signup and view all the answers

What is the recommended duration for counting heart rate?

30-60 seconds Signup and view all the answers

What should be assessed if a patient presents with a fever?

Both causes of fever and hydration status Signup and view all the answers

What is the recommended method for passively cooling a patient with a fever?

Removing all clothing but a diaper/underwear and covering lightly Signup and view all the answers

What is the first step in primary assessment and resuscitation?

Establish rapport with the patient and significant others Signup and view all the answers

What should you do if a patient is unresponsive, apneic, or gasping, and has no central pulse or a pulse present but <60 in an infant or child with poor perfusion?

Begin high-quality CPR and resuscitate per Cardiac Arrest SOP Signup and view all the answers

What type of pain scale would be used for a patient aged 8-12 years?

Self-report scale such as Wong-Baker Faces Signup and view all the answers

What information should be obtained from a patient with syncope, seizure, AMS, cardiac arrest, or acute stroke?

Witness contact information or bringing the witness to the hospital Signup and view all the answers

What should you assess when evaluating a patient's breathing and gas exchange?

General rate, rhythm, air movement, chest expansion, and work of breathing Signup and view all the answers

What is an essential component of taking a patient's SAMPLE history?

Both the chief complaint and OPQRST Signup and view all the answers

What is the normal SpO2 range for a pediatric patient?

≥ 95% Signup and view all the answers

Why should you reduce anxiety in a pediatric patient?

To decrease oxygen demand and work of breathing Signup and view all the answers

What should be assessed in addition to vital signs during a secondary assessment?

Medications, allergies, medical history, and last oral intake Signup and view all the answers

What is an indication for anticipating deterioration or imminent respiratory arrest?

Increased or decreased respiratory rate, especially in pediatric patients Signup and view all the answers

What should you do if a patient's airway is obstructed?

See PEDIATRIC FOREIGN BODY AIRWAY OBSTRUCTION SOP Signup and view all the answers

What should you do if a patient is gasping or apneic?

See PEDS RESPIRATORY ARREST SOP Signup and view all the answers

According to the provided information, what is the acceptable range for the mean arterial pressure (MAP) for a neonate?

45-60 mmHg Signup and view all the answers

What is the recommended dosage of atropine for bradycardia in a pediatric patient, if the bradycardia is due to increased vagal tone?

0.02 mg/kg rapid IVP/IO Signup and view all the answers

In what scenario is transcutaneous cardiac pacing contraindicated?

Severe hypothermia Signup and view all the answers

When is transcutaneous cardiac pacing recommended for a pediatric patient with bradycardia?

When medication is ineffective or contraindicated, and there is impending hemodynamic collapse Signup and view all the answers

What is the normal systolic blood pressure (SBP) range for a 5-year-old child according to the provided information?

110 mmHg Signup and view all the answers

For which of the following conditions is atropine contraindicated?

Second-degree Mobitz type II or third-degree AV block with wide QRS Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Age Definitions

Newly born: up to 24 hours
Neonate: 1-28 days
Infant: 1-12 months
Child: 1-12 years

Special Considerations

Tailor assessments and interventions to each child based on age, size, developmental, and metabolic status
Communication may be preverbal, nonverbal, or lack of personal information
Age and developmental level influence responses to stressful events
Assess behaviors and speak slowly and calmly

Scene Size Up

Situational awareness and dynamic risk assessment
Assess and intervene as needed
Scene safety, control, and correct hazards
Remove patient and crew from unsafe environment ASAP
Preserve integrity of possible evidence if potential crime scene

Pediatric Assessment Triangle

Appearance: awake/asleep/unresponsive, age-appropriate behavior, interactiveness, and abnormal look
Work of breathing: position, accessory muscle use, retractions, nasal flaring, head bobbing, grunting, and apnea/gasping
Circulation to skin: pallor, mottling, cyanosis
Plus: obvious injuries, bleeding, bruising, impaled objects, gross deformities, and detect odors

Primary Assessment/Resuscitation

Establish rapport with patient and significant others
Determine if immediate life threat exists and resuscitate as found
Determine size/weight
Level of consciousness using AVPU or Peds GCS
Chief complaint and signs/symptoms

Airway

Patency and listen for audible airway noises
Impaired: reposition, suction, and monitor ECG
Obstructed: see Pediatric Foreign Body Airway Obstruction SOP
Impaired: see Peds Airway Adjuncts SOP
Initiate SMR if indicated and vomiting/seizure precautions prn

Breathing

General rate, rhythm, and adequacy of ventilations
Air movement, chest expansion, and work of breathing
If distress: quickly assess breath sounds and SpO2
If apnea: see Peds Respiratory Arrest SOP

Secondary Assessment

Vital signs: BP, pulse, respirations, and temp if indicated
If fever: assess causes, hydration status, and attempt IV X 1
Hydration status, chief complaint, history of present illness, and SAMPLE history
S&S: OPQRST, quantify pain using a pain scale
Allergies, medications, PMH, last oral intake/LMP, and events leading to illness

Normal SBP, Diastolic, and Heart Rate

Age-dependent normal values for SBP, diastolic, and heart rate
Hypotension and bradycardia treatment: atropine and transcutaneous cardiac pacing

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Description

Learn about the age definitions for pediatric patients, including newly born, neonate, infant, and child. Understand special considerations for assessments and communication.