Brainscape's Knowledge GenomeTM


Top Flashcards (Certified)
All Flashcards

LR Child Health > The Sick Child > Flashcards

The Sick Child Flashcards

(43 cards)

Start Studying
1
Q 
As a child ages...
- Heart rate increases/decreases
- Respiratory rate increases/decreases
- Systolic blood pressure increases/decreases
?
A
  • Heart rate decreases
  • Respiratory rate decreases
  • SBP increases
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
2
Q

Give the normal range of heart rate, respiratory rate and blood pressure in a < 1 year old vs a >12 year old

A

<1 y/o:
HR: 110-160 bpm
RR: 30-40 breaths/min
SBP: 70-90 mmHg

> 12 y/o:
HR: 60-100 bpm
RR: 15-20 breaths/min
SBP: 100-120 mmHg

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
3
Q

Give an equation that relates SBP and age in children

A

SBP - 85 = (age in years x2)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
4
Q

Why is an infants sitting height proportionally more than an adults?

A

Infants have a relatively large head and prominent occiput

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
5
Q

Infants have a relatively (small/large) surface area compared to volume

A

Large

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
6
Q

Why is an infants large SA to volume ratio clinically significant?

A

They become dehydrated more easily

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
7
Q

In adult emergencies, a curved laryngoscope is used for resuscitation. How does this differ in children <1 year old and why?

A

In children <1 y/o, a straight laryngoscope is used for resuscitation

This is because they have a higher anterior larynx and a floppy epiglottis

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
8
Q

Compare average total blood volume in infants vs adults

A

Adults: ~5 L/kg
Infants: ~80 ml/kg

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
9
Q

Why is this difference in blood volume important clinically?

A

Not much blood needs to be lost for an infant to be in serious trauma

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
10
Q

What do children most commonly present with? (4)

A
  • Respiratory infection e.g., croup, bronchiolitis, URTI (28%)
  • Gastroenteritis (8.8%)
  • Seizures/epilepsy/febrile seizures (6.6%)
  • Pneumonia/LRTI (6.2%)

**infections!

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
11
Q

What is bronchiolitis?

A

Acute inflammation and infection of the bronchioles in babies and young children

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
12
Q

When does bronchiolitis usually present?

A

During a baby’s first winter

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
13
Q

What is the most common cause of bronchiolitis?

A

Viruses - esp. RSV

respiratory syncytial virus

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
14
Q

How is bronchiolitis treated?

A

Supportive

e.g., CPAP/O2, NG tube feeding

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
15
Q

What is a possible long-term effect of bronchiolitis?

A

Increased incidence of wheezing in later years e.g., every time they get a RTI, go out in the cold etc.

They may grow out of this in adulthood

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
16
Q

How do you treat an individual with a lasting wheeze after bronchiolitis?

A

All wheezes are treated as they would be in asthma - with preventers and relievers e.g., beclomethasone and salbutamol

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
17
Q

Suggest a reason why more children end up on inhalers than actually have asthma?

A

Kids can find it hard to breathe out hard and fast into a peak flow meter properly

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
18
Q

What is croup?

Study These Flashcards
A

A common URTI in children which results in obstructed breathing and a characteristic barking cough

19
Q

What is the most common cause of croup?

Study These Flashcards
A

Viruses - esp. parainfluenza

20
Q

What is the differential diagnosis of stridor in children?

Study These Flashcards
A
  • Croup
  • Inhaled foreign body
  • Bacterial tracheitis
  • Epiglottitis
  • Allergy
21
Q

How is croup treated?

Study These Flashcards
A

Oral steroid

reduces inflammation

22
Q

Pneumonia in kids is usually viral/bacterial?

23
Q

Suggest two CNS infections in children

Study These Flashcards
A

Meningitis

Encephalitis

24
Q

What is the difference between meningitis and meningococcaemia?

Study These Flashcards
A

Meningitis: bacteria infects membranes covering the brain and spinal cord

Meningococcaemia: bacteria travels in the blood but does not infect the brain or spinal cord

25
What is the Tumbler Test used in investigation of meningitis?
Menincoccal skin rash does not blanche when a glass is pressed against it
26
Suggest 8 reasons for fainting and/or fitting in children
- Febrile seizures - Functional fits (no obvious cause) - Vasovagal episode - Reflex anoxic episode - Breath holding attacks e.g., after crying - Behavioural episodes e.g., rubbing on car seat - Epilepsy - Arrhythmias
27
What is the most common arrhythmia in children?
Supraventricular tachycardia (SVT)
28
What is the most important cause of trauma to consider?
Non-accidental injury
29
Name 3 surgical problems that are seen in children
- GI obstruction - Acute abdomen/appendicitis - Testicular torsion
30
Signs of congenital heart disease include... (2)
Cyanosis | Heart failure
31
What is the most common cause of acute illness in children?
Sepsis
32
Name 3 measures taken to prevent healthcare workers from missing sepsis in a child
- Paediatric national early warning score (NEWS) - Paediatric sepsis 6 - Septic screen
33
What is the most common cause of cardiac arrest in children vs adults?
Children: Respiratory failure -> respiratory arrest -> cardiac arrest Adults: Circulatory failure -> cardiac arrest
34
What structured approach is used when facing an acutely ill child?
DR ABCDE ``` Danger Response Airway Breathing Circulation Disability Exposure ```
35
If a child's airway is not patent, how would you position the head to open up the airway in children... <1 y/o >1 y/o ?
<1 y/o = head in neutral position as the anterior larynx is higher in infants >1 y/o = chin lift like in adults
36
How are rescue breaths given if a child is not breathing on high flow O2?
5 rescue breaths for 1 second each
37
What does 'grunting' mean in children who are working hard to breathe?
They are forcing air against a closed glottis
38
Why is hypotension a pre-terminal sign in children?
Children usually maintain good BP until they've lost ~50% of their blood volume, then BP drops dramatically
39
How should a child with circulatory shock be initially managed?
- 0.9% saline | - Blood if trauma/haemorrhage
40
What is assessed in the 'disability' section of ABCDE?
- AVPU - GCS for kids - Pupils (responsive or blown) - Posture - Glucose (may just be very hypoglycaemic)
41
Describe decorticate posture
Stiff with bent arms and clenched fists held to the chest
42
Describe decerebrate posture
- Stiff with straight arms and legs - Toes pointed downwards - Neck arched back
43
What are decorticate and decerebrate postures a sign of?
Severe brain damage | e.g., following a long period of hypoxia

LR Child Health (12 decks)

Brainscape helps you reach your goals faster, through stronger study habits.
© 2025 Bold Learning Solutions. Terms and Conditions