Free Paediatric Emergencies MCQs with Answers
50 Paediatric Emergencies MCQs from Paediatric Nursing, each with the correct answer and a written explanation of why it is correct. Free and unlimited, with no account needed.
Paediatric emergencies cover rapid assessment using airway, breathing and circulation, basic life support, respiratory distress, choking, shock, seizures, poisoning, burns, severe dehydration and trauma. Questions focus on recognising danger signs, prioritising immediate nursing actions, calculating weight-based treatment and distinguishing compensated from decompensated shock.
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50 questions · page 3 of 3
- A. Keep the child supine, provide oxygen, and urgently alert the trauma team
- B. Give oral fluids because internal bleeding is not visible
- C. Apply firm pressure directly over the swollen abdomen
- D. Encourage walking to assess whether the abdominal pain improves
Explanation: Pallor, restlessness, and abdominal distension after trauma may indicate concealed internal haemorrhage, so circulation support and urgent…
Correct answer: Keep the child supine, provide oxygen, and urgently alert the trauma team- A. Give oxygen by face mask and observe closely
- B. Begin effective bag-mask ventilation with oxygen
- C. Place the child upright and encourage deep breaths
- D. Start chest compressions immediately without ventilation
Explanation: Ineffective breathing with a pulse indicates respiratory failure, so assisted ventilation is the priority.
Correct answer: Begin effective bag-mask ventilation with oxygen- A. Place the child supine and insert an oral airway
- B. Turn the child into a lateral recovery position
- C. Give oral fluids to clear the mouth
- D. Sit the child upright and leave the airway unassessed
Explanation: The lateral recovery position helps secretions drain and reduces aspiration while the child continues to breathe.
Correct answer: Turn the child into a lateral recovery position- A. Atropine by the prescribed route
- B. Naloxone by the prescribed route
- C. Flumazenil by the prescribed route
- D. Methylene blue by the prescribed route
Explanation: Naloxone reverses opioid-induced respiratory depression and may restore breathing.
Correct answer: Naloxone by the prescribed route- A. Apply an eye pad and arrange review later
- B. Irrigate the eye continuously with clean running water
- C. Instil antibiotic drops before washing the eye
- D. Neutralise the chemical with another household solution
Explanation: Immediate, prolonged irrigation dilutes and removes the chemical, limiting tissue damage.
Correct answer: Irrigate the eye continuously with clean running water- A. Mild wheezing with normal speech
- B. Increasing drowsiness with poor air entry
- C. Fast breathing with loud bilateral wheezing
- D. Anxiety with a slightly raised heart rate
Explanation: Drowsiness and poor air entry indicate fatigue and severely reduced ventilation, even if wheezing becomes less obvious.
Correct answer: Increasing drowsiness with poor air entry- A. Stop all oral fluids until vomiting has ended
- B. Give small, frequent sips and continue after brief pauses
- C. Give only plain water until the diarrhoea stops
- D. Offer a concentrated solution to replace fluid faster
Explanation: Small frequent sips are better tolerated and allow continued replacement of water and electrolytes.
Correct answer: Give small, frequent sips and continue after brief pauses- A. An intraosseous access attempt by trained staff
- B. A central venous line after waiting for imaging
- C. A nasogastric tube for rapid fluid administration
- D. A urinary catheter before giving emergency fluids
Explanation: Intraosseous access provides rapid vascular access when intravenous access cannot be obtained during life-threatening shock.
Correct answer: An intraosseous access attempt by trained staff- A. Cover the burn tightly with an elastic bandage
- B. Call the emergency team and support urgent airway assessment
- C. Apply ice directly over the burned chest
- D. Encourage the child to walk to improve ventilation
Explanation: A circumferential chest burn can restrict chest expansion as swelling and stiff eschar develop, causing respiratory compromise.
Correct answer: Call the emergency team and support urgent airway assessment- A. Induce vomiting to remove the substance
- B. Give milk to dilute every possible poison
- C. Keep the container or substance information for identification
- D. Give activated charcoal to every poisoned child immediately
Explanation: Identifying the substance, amount, and time of exposure guides safe treatment and toxicology advice.
Correct answer: Keep the container or substance information for identification