AEMCA - Advanced Emergency Medical Care Assistant Pediatric Emergencies Questions and Answers

Question 1

You are assessing a 2-year-old child from across the room using the Pediatric Assessment Triangle (PAT).
You note the child is crying, has audible stridor, and visible intercostal retractions.
Their skin appears pink.
Based on the PAT, which category best describes the child's physiological state?

Accepted Answer

Respiratory distress

Answer

Cardiopulmonary failure

Answer

Decompensated shock

Answer

Central nervous system dysfunction

Question 2

A 3-year-old presents with a sudden onset of high fever, severe sore throat, drooling, and a muffled voice. The child is sitting upright in a 'tripod' position and appears anxious. Which of the following conditions is most likely, and what is a critical prehospital consideration?

Accepted Answer

Epiglottitis; avoid any action that could agitate the child.

Answer

Croup; administer nebulized epinephrine immediately.

Answer

Anaphylaxis; prepare for immediate intubation.

Answer

Bacterial tracheitis; perform deep suctioning to clear secretions.

Question 3

You are managing a 5-year-old, 18 kg patient in ventricular fibrillation. According to PALS guidelines, what is the appropriate initial energy dose for defibrillation?

Accepted Answer

36 Joules

Answer

18 Joules

Answer

72 Joules

Answer

100 Joules

Question 4

An 18-month-old child involved in a traumatic incident is showing signs of compensated shock, including tachycardia, cool extremities, and a capillary refill time of 4 seconds. According to pediatric resuscitation guidelines, what is the correct initial fluid bolus?

Accepted Answer

20 mL/kg of an isotonic crystalloid over 5-20 minutes.

Answer

5 mL/kg of a colloid solution over 30 minutes.

Answer

10 mL/kg of D5W as rapidly as possible.

Answer

40 mL/kg of 0.45% saline over one hour.

Question 5

You are called for a 2-year-old who had a generalized tonic-clonic seizure. Upon arrival, the seizure has stopped, and the child is postictal but rousable. The parents state the seizure lasted about 3 minutes and the child has a fever of 39.5°C. What is the most appropriate next action?

Accepted Answer

Immediately transport without further assessment to rule out meningitis.

Answer

Administer a prophylactic dose of midazolam to prevent another seizure.

Answer

Establish IV access and administer an antipyretic immediately.

Answer

Perform a blood glucose check and provide supportive care, including cooling measures.

Question 6

Which of the following is a key anatomical difference in the pediatric airway compared to an adult's that is critical to consider during airway management?

Accepted Answer

The larynx is positioned more anteriorly and superiorly (higher in the neck).

Answer

The epiglottis is smaller and stiffer, making it easier to lift with a curved blade.

Answer

The narrowest portion of the airway is the glottic opening, similar to adults.

Answer

The tongue is proportionally smaller, creating more space in the oropharynx.