Paediatric Medical Emergencies

Question 1

Respiratory Presentations

Answer 1

Asthma

Bronchiolitis

Croup

Epiglottitis

Upper Respiratory Tract Infection

Lower Respiratory Tract Infection

Question 2

Croup

Answer 2

Common

Not usually life threatening

Viral infection

18 months

Gradual onset

Harsh stridor

Barking cough

Temperature <38.5

No drooling

Able to drink

Question 3

Epiglottitis

Answer 3

Rare

Life threatening

Bacterial infection

2-3yrs

Rapid onset

Soft stridor

Quiet, sitting up

Temperature >38.5

Drooling

Unable to drink

Question 4

Pneumonia - LRTI

Red Flags

Answer 4

Fever

Cough

Tachypnea

nasal flaring

Chest in drawing

Reduced sats

Infiltrate on xray

Crackles on chest

cyanosis

Question 5

Convulsing child causes

Answer 5

Fever

Brain injury

Infection

Hypoxia

Hypoglycaemia

Electrolyte imbalance

Hypertension (rare)

Question 6

meningococcal septicaemia

Viral

Answer 6

most common type

less serious

3000 cases a year in England and Wales

usually gets better by itself in 2 weeks without specific treatment

common in young children and babies <1yr old

Question 7

meningococcal septicaemia

Bacterial

Answer 7

Extremely serious medical emergency

needs ICU treatment.

2000 cases in England and Wales a year

common in children and babies under 3yr. Teenagers and 15-24yr olds