PALS Resuscitation Team Dynamics 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: During a pediatric code, a team member notices the team leader gave an incorrect drug dose. What is the BEST action?
- Remain silent to avoid embarrassing the leader
- Quietly fix the error without saying anything
- State clearly: 'I want to confirm the dose — my reference shows a different amount' (Correct answer)
- Wait until after resuscitation to report the error
Correct answer: State clearly: 'I want to confirm the dose — my reference shows a different amount'
Closed-loop communication and mutual respect allow any team member to speak up about potential errors without blame.
Question 2: Which behavior BEST demonstrates effective 'mutual respect' within a resuscitation team?
- The team leader makes all decisions without input from others
- Team members accept feedback without becoming defensive (Correct answer)
- Only senior members are allowed to suggest interventions
- Team members compete to perform the most procedures
Correct answer: Team members accept feedback without becoming defensive
Mutual respect means team members value each other's input and accept constructive feedback professionally.
Question 3: The team leader asks a nurse to establish IV access. The nurse is already performing chest compressions. What should the nurse do?
- Stop compressions immediately and start the IV
- Ignore the request and continue compressions
- Communicate to the team leader that compressions are ongoing and ask for reassignment (Correct answer)
- Attempt to do both tasks simultaneously
Correct answer: Communicate to the team leader that compressions are ongoing and ask for reassignment
Team members should communicate workload conflicts so the leader can reassign tasks and maintain care priorities.
Question 4: What is the PRIMARY advantage of pre-assigning roles before a pediatric resuscitation begins?
- It guarantees the resuscitation will succeed
- It eliminates the need for a team leader
- It reduces confusion and delays when the emergency starts (Correct answer)
- It ensures the most experienced person performs every task
Correct answer: It reduces confusion and delays when the emergency starts
Pre-assigned roles allow each team member to act immediately without waiting for direction, reducing critical delays.
Question 5: A team member administering epinephrine says 'Epi given' without further detail. What is MISSING from proper closed-loop communication?
- The team leader's acknowledgment
- The dose, route, and time of administration (Correct answer)
- The patient's name
- The team member's full name
Correct answer: The dose, route, and time of administration
Complete closed-loop communication includes the drug name, dose, route, and time so all team members have accurate situational awareness.
Question 6: During resuscitation, the team leader becomes overwhelmed and stops directing the team. What is the BEST next step?
- All team members act independently based on their own judgment
- The most senior team member should assume leadership (Correct answer)
- Continue without a leader until the code is complete
- Stop all interventions until leadership is restored
Correct answer: The most senior team member should assume leadership
If the team leader is unable to lead, the most senior or experienced available member should assume that role to restore direction.
Question 7: Which action by the team leader BEST promotes situational awareness during a pediatric code?
- Performing compressions to model proper technique
- Regularly summarizing the patient's status, interventions given, and next steps aloud (Correct answer)
- Delegating all communication to the recorder
- Speaking only when a new intervention is ordered
Correct answer: Regularly summarizing the patient's status, interventions given, and next steps aloud
Periodic summaries by the team leader keep all members informed and aligned on the patient's status and care plan.
PALS Resuscitation Team Dynamics 2
During a pediatric code, a team member notices the team leader gave an incorrect drug dose.
What is the BEST action?