PALS Practice Test

The PALS systematic approach initial impression consists of “Consciousness, Breathing, and Color”. Deformity is not included in the PALS systematic approach initial impression.

Positioning including head-tilt-chin-lift maneuver, suctioning of the nose and oropharynx, performing foreign body airway obstruction relief techniques, and the use of airway adjuncts are all ways to restore upper airway patency.

Abdominal bloating is commonly caused by increased gas in the gastrointestinal system and is not associated with increased respiratory effort. Nasal flaring is an important sign of increased respiratory effort. Chest retractions are caused by increased respiratory effort and an important sign of impending respiratory distress. Head bobbing or seesaw respirations are a sign of increased respiratory effort in infants.

Stridor is a high pitched musical noise in the upper airway and is not commonly associated with pneumonia. Aspiration is the transfer of foreign material into the airway and does not commonly produce the high pitched sounds that characterize stridor. Stridor is a high pitched, musical sound produced in the upper airway and is characteristic of incomplete upper airway obstructions. Bronchoconstriction occurs in the lower airway and produces coughing, often associated with asthma and is distinct from stridor, which is a high pitch musical sound produced in the upper airway.

Eye opening in response to pain, voice, or spontaneously opposed to no eye opening is an assessment in the Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS). Verbal response, whether absent, incomprehensible, inappropriate, confused, or appropriate is an assessment of neurologic function and is part of the Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS). Motor response in response to painful stimuli or to command is a measure of neurologic function and is part of the Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS). The Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) is a method of rapidly assessing a person’s level of consciousness, and is neurological. Cardiac output is not part of a neurologic assessment or part of the GCS.

Hypoxemia is low oxygen in the blood. Values in children above 95% are considered adequate. Oxygen saturation values below 94% are considered hypoxemic.

Asthma is not a common cause for upper airway obstruction.

Dexamethasone is an anti-inflamatory steroid and is a medication used in the treatment of croup. Nebulized epinephrine is highly effective in the treatment of croup and is considered core therapy. Heliox is a mixture of helium and oxygen gasses which has shown benefit in the treatment of croup. All of the above is the correct answer.

All of the above are organisms commonly associated with community acquired pneumonia.

Hypovolemic shock is caused by low volume states which reduce circulatory volume, preload, and afterload. Hypoglycemia is low blood sugar, and is not considered a type of shock. Distributive shock is a low volume state caused by fluid leaving the intravascular space and entering the tissue space, called “third spacing” and is a type of shock. Cardiogenic shock occurs when the heart cannot pump adequately to supply the circulatory needs of the body and is considered a type of shock.