Pediatric Emergencies (Ch. 35)

Question 1

adolescents

Answer 1

Children between ages 12 and 18 years.

Question 2

apparent life-threatening event (ALTE)

Answer 2

An event that causes unresponsiveness, cyanosis, and apnea in an infant, who then resumes breathing with stimulation.

Question 3

blanch

Answer 3

To turn white.

Question 4

bradypnea

Answer 4

Slow respiratory rate; ominous sign in a child that indicates impending respiratory arrest.

Question 5

bronchiolitis

Answer 5

Inflammation of the bronchioles that usually occurs in children younger than 2 years and is often caused by the respiratory syncytial virus.

Question 6

central pulses

Answer 6

Pulses that are closest to the core (central) part of the body where the vital organs are located; include the carotid, femoral, and apical pulses.

Question 7

child abuse

Answer 7

A general term applying to all forms of abuse and neglect of children.

Question 8

croup

Answer 8

A viral inflammatory disease of the upper respiratory system that may cause a partial airway obstruction and is characterized by a barking cough; usually seen in children.

Question 9

epiglottitis

Answer 9

A bacterial infection in which the epiglottis becomes inflamed and enlarged and may cause an upper airway obstruction.

Question 10

fontanelles

Answer 10

Areas where the neonate’s or infant’s skull has not fused together; usually disappear at approximately 18 months of age.

Question 11

generalized (tonic-clonic) seizure

Answer 11

A seizure that features rhythmic back-and-forth motion of an extremity and body stiffness.

Question 12

grunting

Answer 12

An “uh” sound heard during exhalation; reflects the child’s attempt to keep the alveoli open; a sign of increased work of breathing.

Question 13

infancy

Answer 13

The first year of life.

Question 14

length-based resuscitation tape

Answer 14

A tape used to estimate an infant’s or child’s weight on the basis of body length; appropriate drug doses and equipment sizes are listed on the tape.

Question 15

meningitis

Answer 15

An inflammation of the meningeal coverings of the brain and spinal cord; it is usually caused by a virus or a bacterium.

Question 16

nares

Answer 16

The external openings of the nostrils. A single nostril opening is called a naris.

Question 17

neglect

Answer 17

Refusal or failure on the part of the parent or caregiver to provide life necessities.

Question 18

Neisseria meningitides

Answer 18

A form of bacterial meningitis characterized by rapid onset of symptoms, often leading to shock and death.

Question 19

pediatric assessment triangle (PAT)

Answer 19

A structured assessment tool used to rapidly form a general impression of the infant or child without touching him or her; consists of assessing appearance, work of breathing, and circulation to the skin.

Question 20

pediatrics

Answer 20

A specialized medical practice devoted to the care of the young.

Question 21

pertussis (whooping cough)

Answer 21

An airborne bacterial infection that affects mostly children younger than 6 years, in which the patient is feverish and exhibits a “whoop” sound on inspiration after a coughing attack; highly contagious through droplet infection.

Question 22

preschool-age

Answer 22

Children between ages 3 and 6 years.

Question 23

school-age

Answer 23

Children between ages 6 and 12 years.

Question 24

shaken baby syndrome

Answer 24

A syndrome seen in abused infants and children; the patient has been subjected to violent, whiplash-type shaking injuries inflicted by the abusing individual that may cause coma, seizures, and increased intracranial pressure due to tearing of the cerebral veins with consequent bleeding into the brain.

Question 25

sniffing position

Answer 25

An upright position in which the patient’s head and chin are thrust slightly forward to keep the airway open.

Question 26

sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS)

Answer 26

Death of an infant or young child that remains unexplained after a complete autopsy.

Question 27

tachypnea

Answer 27

Rapid respirations.

Question 28

toddler

Answer 28

A child age 1 to 3 years.

Question 29

tracheitis

Answer 29

Inflammation of the trachea.

Question 30

tripod position

Answer 30

An upright position in which the patient leans forward onto outstretched arms with the head and chin thrust slightly forward.

Question 31

work of breathing

Answer 31

An indicator of oxygenation and ventilation; reflects the child’s attempt to compensate for hypoxia.