PALS Airway Management

Question 1

What is the preferred initial airway opening maneuver for an unresponsive pediatric patient without suspected cervical spine injury?

Accepted Answer

Head-tilt chin-lift maneuver

Answer

Jaw thrust maneuver

Answer

Insertion of a nasopharyngeal airway

Answer

Immediate orotracheal intubation

Question 2

Which oxygen delivery device provides the highest concentration of supplemental oxygen to a spontaneously breathing child in respiratory distress?

Accepted Answer

Non-rebreather mask at 10–15 L/min

Answer

Nasal cannula at 4 L/min

Answer

Simple face mask at 8 L/min

Answer

Partial rebreather mask at 6 L/min

Question 3

When performing bag-mask ventilation on a child with a pulse but absent respirations, what is the recommended ventilation rate?

Accepted Answer

12–20 breaths per minute

Answer

8–10 breaths per minute

Answer

20–30 breaths per minute

Answer

30–40 breaths per minute

Question 4

What is the correct method for sizing an oropharyngeal airway (OPA) in a pediatric patient?

Accepted Answer

Measure from the center of the mouth to the angle of the jaw

Answer

Measure from the tip of the nose to the earlobe

Answer

Estimate based on weight in kilograms divided by 10

Answer

Measure from the corner of the mouth to the tragus of the ear

Question 5

In which clinical situation should a jaw thrust be used instead of a head-tilt chin-lift for airway management?

Accepted Answer

When cervical spine injury is suspected

Answer

When the child is completely unresponsive

Answer

When foreign body airway obstruction is present

Answer

When the child has severe bronchospasm

Question 6

What does the E-C clamp technique accomplish during pediatric bag-mask ventilation?

Accepted Answer

It maintains a tight seal between the mask and the patient's face

Answer

It compresses the chest during CPR cycles

Answer

It secures an endotracheal tube at the lip

Answer

It assesses level of consciousness before ventilation

Question 7

What is the primary indicator of adequate ventilation during bag-mask ventilation in a pediatric patient?

Accepted Answer

Visible, gentle chest rise with each delivered breath

Answer

A respiratory rate of 20 breaths per minute is achieved

Answer

Heart rate increases by at least 10 bpm after ventilation

Answer

Symmetric breath sounds heard on auscultation of the axillae