5 Pediatric Trauma Free Online FlashCards

Why are younger children especially vulnerable to head injury?

Children’s relatively large heads increase the likelihood of head injury, especially in younger children.

What internal injuries can abdominal bruising after blunt impact suggest?

Blunt impact can injure the relatively exposed liver and spleen; abdominal bruising from a seat belt or handlebar raises concern for internal injury.

What does c-ABCDE stand for in pediatric trauma assessment?

The sequence is catastrophic bleeding, airway with cervical-spine protection, breathing, circulation, disability, and exposure with environment.

How should immediate life-threatening external bleeding be controlled?

Control life-threatening external bleeding with firm direct pressure; use a tourniquet for life-threatening limb bleeding when indicated and trained. Do not remove an embedded object.

What are key priorities when assessing a child’s airway?

Assess speech or crying, obstruction, blood, vomit, facial injury, and alertness. Maintain the airway while limiting neck movement when injury is suspected; airway management takes priority over immobilization.

What should breathing assessment include, and when should treatment proceed without imaging?

Assess respiratory effort, rate, chest movement, oxygenation, and breath sounds. Treat suspected tension pneumothorax based on clinical findings without waiting for imaging.

Which findings help assess circulation in an injured child?

Check heart rate, pulses, skin temperature and color, capillary refill, mental status, and blood pressure. Use age-appropriate vital-sign ranges.

Why does normal blood pressure not rule out pediatric shock?

Hypotension is a late, dangerous sign because children may maintain blood pressure through compensation while perfusion worsens.

What does the disability assessment check, and what helps limit secondary brain injury?

Quickly assess alertness, pupils, movement, and glucose when indicated. Preventing low oxygen and low blood pressure helps limit secondary brain injury.

How should exposure be managed during pediatric trauma assessment?

Expose enough to find injuries, including the back when safe, then cover the child and actively prevent heat loss. Record temperature and preserve dignity.

What should follow treatment of immediate threats?

After immediate threats are treated, perform a head-to-toe examination and obtain a focused SAMPLE history: symptoms, allergies, medications, relevant medical history, last intake, and events since injury.

What does a negative FAST examination mean in a child with suspected abdominal injury?

A negative FAST examination does not reliably exclude abdominal injury in children and should not delay resuscitation or further assessment when concern remains.