When assisting ventilations in a 4-year-old child with a bag-valve mask, what should the EMT do?

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: When assisting ventilations in a 4-year-old child with a bag-valve mask, the EMT should block the pop-off valve if needed to achieve adequate chest rise. This action helps ensure effective ventilation and adequate oxygenation in the child. Blocking the pop-off valve allows for better control over the volume of air delivered and can help maintain positive pressure in the airway, assisting in improving oxygenation and ventilation in the child. Choices A, B, and D are incorrect because delivering each breath over 2 to 3 seconds is a general guideline but may need adjustment based on patient response, ensuring the appropriate mask size is important but not the primary concern in this scenario, and reassessing the pulse rate is not directly related to the ventilation technique being discussed.

Correct Answer: D

Rationale: Grunting respirations are a key clinical sign of acute respiratory distress in infants. Grunting is a protective mechanism where the infant exhales against a partially closed glottis to increase functional residual capacity and oxygenation. This is often seen in conditions such as respiratory distress syndrome, pneumonia, or other causes of respiratory compromise in infants. Monitoring respiratory patterns like grunting is crucial for early recognition and intervention in infants with respiratory distress. Choices A, B, and C are less specific to acute respiratory distress in infants. While an elevated heart rate and respiratory rate can be present in respiratory distress, grunting respirations are a more direct indicator of significant respiratory compromise in infants.

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: In a scenario where a young child falls from a significant height like a second-story window, the primary injury is more likely to be to the head. This is because young children have proportionately larger head sizes compared to their body, making them more susceptible to head injuries in such falls. The chest (Choice A), lower extremities (Choice C), and abdomen (Choice D) are less likely to sustain the primary injury in this scenario, as the impact of the fall and the child's anatomy predispose the head to be the most affected area.

Correct Answer: D

Rationale: During 2-rescuer child CPR, it is important to compress the chest with one or two hands to a depth equal to one-third the diameter of the chest. This technique ensures effective chest compressions are being delivered to help circulate blood and oxygenate the child's body. Choice A is incorrect because both hands should be used for chest compressions in 2-rescuer CPR. Choice B is incorrect as allowing the chest to fully recoil between compressions is essential to create negative pressure and facilitate blood flow back to the heart. Choice C is incorrect as the standard compression-to-ventilation ratio for child CPR is 30:2, regardless of whether an advanced airway is in place.

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: In a 5-year-old child who is unresponsive with severe bradycardia and bradypnea, the priority is to provide positive-pressure ventilation to support breathing and perform chest compressions to support circulation. This child is in cardiac arrest, and the recommended treatment according to pediatric basic life support guidelines involves a combination of positive-pressure ventilation and chest compressions to maintain oxygenation and circulation. Rapid transport to a medical facility for further advanced care is crucial in this critical situation. Choices A, B, and D are incorrect because high-flow oxygen via non-rebreathing mask, assisted ventilation with a bag-mask device, and back slaps with chest thrusts are not sufficient in a cardiac arrest situation where the child requires immediate positive-pressure ventilation and chest compressions to maintain oxygenation and circulation.

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: After a febrile seizure, it is important to offer oxygen and provide transport to a medical facility for further evaluation and management of the underlying cause. Oxygen may be needed in case of hypoxemia resulting from the seizure. Rapidly cooling the child in cold water is not recommended as it may lead to complications such as hypothermia. Keeping the child warm is also not advisable as the priority is to prevent hyperthermia and provide necessary medical intervention by healthcare providers.

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: After delivering a shock, it is crucial to immediately resume CPR. CPR helps circulate oxygenated blood to vital organs until the AED prompts you to stop for further rhythm analysis. This continuous cycle of CPR and defibrillation maximizes the chances of restoring a normal cardiac rhythm and improving the child's chances of survival. Assessing for a carotid pulse is not necessary after a shock as pulse checks are often unreliable during resuscitation. Opening the airway and ventilating is not the immediate step after delivering a shock as CPR takes precedence. Reanalyzing the cardiac rhythm should be done only when prompted by the AED after a set period of CPR.

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: In a newborn with cyanosis to the chest and face and a heart rate of 90 beats/min, the priority action is to begin artificial ventilations. A heart rate below 100 beats/min with cyanosis indicates a need for immediate respiratory support to improve oxygenation. Drying the infant briskly or suctioning the mouth may be necessary later but are not the initial priority. Chest compressions are not indicated as the heart rate is above 60 beats/min.

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: Seizures in children most often result from febrile seizures, which are triggered by an abrupt rise in body temperature. Febrile seizures are common in young children, especially between the ages of 6 months to 5 years, and are usually associated with viral infections that cause a sudden spike in body temperature. Choices A, B, and D are incorrect because while infections, inflammatory processes, and high temperatures can sometimes lead to seizures, the most common cause of seizures in children is an abrupt increase in body temperature, known as febrile seizures.