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PALS Course

Our online PALS certification course includes pediatric assessment and practice of medical emergency scenarios. It also includes identifying shock and cardiac arrest in pediatric patients. OSHA-certified trainers have designed this course curriculum. It is for all medical/healthcare professionals. Read More Earn CE credit hours. Print your wallet card instantly after passing. Read Less
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ChaptersCE CreditsValidityCostDurationECCExam AttemptsWallet Card
084.0 – 8.02 Years$119.003-4 HrsCompliantUnlimitedDownload/Print/Mail
  • Chapters08
  • CE Credits4.0 – 8.0
  • Validity2 Years
  • Cost$119.00
  • Duration3-4 Hrs
  • ECCCompliant
  • Exam AttemptsUnlimited
  • Wallet CardDownload/Print/Mail

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Chapter 2 : PALS And Pediatric Assessment

Respiration is defined as the flow of oxygen from the outside into the cells and tissues and transport of carbon dioxide to the outside environment. The respiratory system works collaboratively with the cardiovascular system for proper gas exchange between the cells and blood.

The inability for the respiratory system of a child to supply oxygen or remove carbon dioxide can cause low blood oxygen or hypoxemia or high blood carbon dioxide or hypercapnia; resulting in respiratory problems and failure. Recognizing the signs and symptoms of various respiratory problems and shock especially in an ill or injured child is critical in preventing cardiopulmonary failure and cardiac arrest.

Cardiac arrest in infants and children is usually a result of continuous respiratory failure, shock or both and the survival rate for these kids is really low. Understanding and knowing the proper interventions and assessment techniques is crucial to prevent further damage.

The pediatric advanced life support (PALS) provides a systemic approach in assessing and treating an ill or injured child due to respiratory distress, respiratory failure and shock to prevent further deterioration and death.

The American Heart Association (AHA) in conjunction with the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends an evaluation model and a structured approach to the  assessment technique which is used to provide health care providers with the tools and techniques needed to adequately treat pediatric patients in respiratory distress, failure or shock.

The evaluation model to treat a seriously ill or injured child is the “assess-categorize-decide-act” model. The first part of the model is the assessment part and there are four assessments to the systemic approach:

  • General assessment
  • Primary assessment
  • Secondary assessment
  • Tertiary assessment

PALS and Pediatric Assessment Video:

General Assessment

The general assessment is the first part to of the evaluation process that requires a quick visual and auditory assessment of the child at risk and looks for appearance, breathing and circulation. A deficient in any of the following categories indicates an underlying problem or illness that requires immediate attention and treatment.

Primary Assessment

Upon the completion of the general assessment which requires a quick visual and auditory observation, the primary assessment is activated. The primary assessment is a thorough, hands-on, cardiopulmonary and neurological evaluation of the child, which uses the ABCDE approach. Vital signs and oxygen saturation are analyzed during the primary assessment.

ALWAYS REMEMBER TO WATCH OUT FOR LIFE-THREATING PROBLEMS THROUGHOUT THE ASSESMENT TO ENSURE THEY ARE TREATED AS THEY ARISE
A = Airway

Ensure the airway is patent, meaning it’s open and unobstructed, and is able to be maintained by normal methods or by advanced interventions. Look for movement of chest and listen and feel for air movement and sounds. Upper airway obstruction can be noted if the patient has restricted inspiratory effort, there are abnormal or no breath sounds.

B = Breathing

Breathing is when air moves in and out of lungs and is measured by the following:

  • Airway and lung sounds
  • Tidal volume
  • Respiratory rate
  • Respiratory effort
  • Pulse oximetry

Respiratory rate is indicated as the number of breaths over a period of time for both adults and children. Respiratory rate may vary due to different reasons such as fever, anxiety, exercise, pain, excitement or other medical conditions. The following chart shows normal and abnormal respiratory rate in children, respiratory effort, tidal volume, airway and lung sounds, and pulse oximetry.

Normal Respiratory RateAbnormal Respiratory Rate
Depends on age = 12-60 bpm
Infant (< 1 yr)  30-60 bpm
Toddler (1 to 3 yrs) 24-40 bpm
Preschooler (4 to 5 yrs) 22-34bpm
School age (6 to 12 yrs) 18-30 bpm
Adolescent (13 to 18 yrs) 12-16 bpm
Tachypnea – >60 bpm at any age (always abnormal)
Bradypnea –  <20 bpm from ages 3-12 years
Apnea – no breathing
Normal Respiratory EffortAbnormal Respiratory Effort
Normal effort with air moving in and outNasal flaring, chest retractions, head bobbing or seesaw respirations
Normal Tidal VolumeAbnormal Tidal Volume
5 to 7 milliliters/kilogram of body weightDecreased or asymmetric chest expansion and distal air movements
Normal Airway & Lung SoundsAbnormal Airway & Lung Sounds
Soft, quiet inspiratory sound
Short, quieter or absent expiratory sound
Stridor, grunting, wheezing, gurgling or crackle sounds
Normal Pulse OximetryAbnormal Pulse Oximetry
Oxygen Saturation ≥94%Oxygen Saturation ≤94%
C = Circulation

The next part of the assessment is circulation. Circulation includes cardiovascular function and end-organ function. Proper cardiovascular function is seen through the following:

  • Skin color and temperature
  • Heart rate
  • Heart rhythm
  • Blood pressure
  • Central and peripheral pulses
  • Capillary refill time

Proper end-organ function is seen through the following:

  • Mental status/brain perfusion
  • Skin perfusion
  • Renal perfusion including urine output

The following table shows the normal and abnormal of circulation in a child:

Normal Skin Color & TemperatureAbnormal Skin Color & Temperature
Consistent over trunk and extremities
Nail beds, palms and soles of feet should be pink
Hands, feet, trunk and extremities turn pale, cool and mottled.  Hands, feet and periphery will be affected first
Normal Heart RateAbnormal Heart Rate
Depends on age of child
Newborn: 100-205 bpm
Infant: 100-180 bpm
Toddler: 98-140 bpm
Preschooler: 80-120 bpm
School-age child: 75-118 bpm
Adolescent: 60-100 bpm
Tachycardia – faster than the normal range for the child’s age
Bradycardia – slower than the normal range for the child’s age
Normal Heart RhythmAbnormal Heart Rhythm
Regular with small fluctuations in rateLoss of peripheral pulses and weak central pulses
Normal Blood PressureAbnormal Mean Arterial Pressure (mm Hg)
Depends on age of childNewborn < 45 mm Hg Infant/Toddler > 50 mm Hg
Preschooler < 58 mm Hg
School-age child < 66 mmHg
Adolescent < 71 mm Hg
Normal PulsesAbnormal Pulses
Easy palpitation of central and peripheral pulsesLoss of peripheral pulses then weakening central pulses
Normal Capillary Refill TimeAbnormal Capillary Refill Time
< 2 seconds>2 seconds due to dehydration, hypothermia and shock
Normal Brain FunctionAbnormal Brain Function
Score of 15 on Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS)Cerebral hypoxia results in loss of muscular tone, seizures, papillary dilation and unconsciousness. A score of <15 GCS; no response or lack of spontaneity in response.
Normal SkinAbnormal Skin
Pink and consistent over trunk and extremitiesPetechia, pupura, cyanosis, pallor and mottling
Normal Renal PerfusionAbnormal Renal Perfusion
Adequate urine output dependent on age
Infants and young children: 1.5-2 mL/kg/hr
Older children and adolescents: 1 mL/kg per  hour
Low urine output below the range for the child’s age
Normal Glasgow Coma Scale Abnormal Glasgow Coma Scale
Eye opening: spontaneous
Best motor response: obeys commands
Best verbal response: oriented
No response or lack of spontaneity in response
Normal Hypoglycemia Abnormal Hypoglycemia
>40 mg/dL in newborn
>60 mg/dL in child
<40 mg/dL in newborn
<60 mg/dL in child

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Secondary Assessment

After the completion of the primary assessment, the secondary assessment should be performed by obtaining a more in depth history and conducting a thorough physical exam. During the secondary assessment the SAMPLE mnemonic is used to help with the evaluation process.

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Tertiary Assessment

The tertiary assessment is used to find the cause and problems associate with respiratory and circulatory systems. This evaluation process uses both laboratory and nonlaboratory studies to help detect these problems. Laboratory or blood studies show, arterial blood gas (ABG), venous blood gas (VBG) and hemoglobin concentration. The nonlaboratory studies include: pulse oximetry, exhaled CO2 monitoring, capnography, chest x-ray, and peak expiratory flow rate.