Pediatrics ACTUAL EXAM QUESTIONS 2026-2027
\LATEST UPADTE WITH COMPLETE QUESTIONS
AND CORRECT DETAILED ANSWERS
1
Q
What medication should be given to babies (~2-3 weeks) presenting
with cyanotic CHD? Dose? Side effects?
A
PGE1 0.05-0.1 ug/kg/min IV infusion
Side effects:
Fever
Seizure
Apnea
Hypotension
Bradycardia
2
Q
List 7 anatomical differences in children and the relevance.
A
1. Large surface to weight ratio = More heat loss
2. Large head, floppy neck = Higher rate of head injury
3. Narrow airway = More easily obstructed
4. CV Compromise/Hypotension is late = Well until crashing
5. Pliable bones = More force to vital organs
6. Physeal plates are weakest = Growth plate injuries
7. Nose breathers = Secretions cause significant WOB
,3
Q
List 5 causes of decreased stroke volume in children.
A
1. Dehydration
2. Pericarditis w/ tamponade
3. Myocarditis
4. CHF
5. HOCM
6. Dilated cardiomyopathy
7. Tachydysrhythmias
4
Q
List 6 treatment options for a child having a “tet spell”.
A
1. Administer 100% oxygen (reduces pulmonary vascular resistance)
2. Knee-to-chest position (increases systemic vascular resistance
3. Calm and comfort the child (crying increases right-to-left shunt)
4. Morphine 0.1 mg/kg IV/IM (or fentanyl 1 µg/kg IV)
5. Phenylephrine 20 µg/kg IV
6. Propranolol 0.01–0.02 mg/kg IV (or esmolol 500 µg/kg IV bolus)
5
Q
What are the historical features (4) concerning for child abuse?
A
Lacking details
Inconsistent on repeat questioning
Inconsistent with developmental status
, Inconsistent mechanism with injury
6
Q
Draw a diagram outlining fetal circulation.
A
From mom, through umbilical vein (1)
Bypass liver via ductus venosus
Enter heart at IVC
Bypass lungs via patent foramen ovale to aorta
Bypass RV via patent ductus arteriosus to aorta
Blood then leaves placenta via umbilical arteries (2)
7
Q
List 5 infectious and 3 non-infectious causes of HUS.
Why are antibiotics contraindicated?
A
Infectious
E. coli O157:H7
Shigella
S. pneumoniae
Aeromonas
HIV
Non-Infectious
Drugs
Hereditary
Familial
Idiopathic
ABx enhances release of bacterial verotoxin
, 8
Q
What is the peak age for SCFE?
Name 6 associations with SCFE.
A
Peak age = 12 y/o, older in boys
1. Male
2. Obesity
3. Black
4. Endocrine disorders
5. Radiation therapy
6. Renal osteodystrophy
9
Q
List 6 causes of childhood ataxia.
A
1. Acute cerebellar ataxia
2. Post-infectious demyelinating encephalomyelitis
3. Brainstem encephalitis
4. Drug ingestion
5. Inborn errors of metabolism
6. Migraine
7. MS
8. Brain mass
9. Seizures
10.Stroke
11.Vertebral artery dissection
10
\LATEST UPADTE WITH COMPLETE QUESTIONS
AND CORRECT DETAILED ANSWERS
1
Q
What medication should be given to babies (~2-3 weeks) presenting
with cyanotic CHD? Dose? Side effects?
A
PGE1 0.05-0.1 ug/kg/min IV infusion
Side effects:
Fever
Seizure
Apnea
Hypotension
Bradycardia
2
Q
List 7 anatomical differences in children and the relevance.
A
1. Large surface to weight ratio = More heat loss
2. Large head, floppy neck = Higher rate of head injury
3. Narrow airway = More easily obstructed
4. CV Compromise/Hypotension is late = Well until crashing
5. Pliable bones = More force to vital organs
6. Physeal plates are weakest = Growth plate injuries
7. Nose breathers = Secretions cause significant WOB
,3
Q
List 5 causes of decreased stroke volume in children.
A
1. Dehydration
2. Pericarditis w/ tamponade
3. Myocarditis
4. CHF
5. HOCM
6. Dilated cardiomyopathy
7. Tachydysrhythmias
4
Q
List 6 treatment options for a child having a “tet spell”.
A
1. Administer 100% oxygen (reduces pulmonary vascular resistance)
2. Knee-to-chest position (increases systemic vascular resistance
3. Calm and comfort the child (crying increases right-to-left shunt)
4. Morphine 0.1 mg/kg IV/IM (or fentanyl 1 µg/kg IV)
5. Phenylephrine 20 µg/kg IV
6. Propranolol 0.01–0.02 mg/kg IV (or esmolol 500 µg/kg IV bolus)
5
Q
What are the historical features (4) concerning for child abuse?
A
Lacking details
Inconsistent on repeat questioning
Inconsistent with developmental status
, Inconsistent mechanism with injury
6
Q
Draw a diagram outlining fetal circulation.
A
From mom, through umbilical vein (1)
Bypass liver via ductus venosus
Enter heart at IVC
Bypass lungs via patent foramen ovale to aorta
Bypass RV via patent ductus arteriosus to aorta
Blood then leaves placenta via umbilical arteries (2)
7
Q
List 5 infectious and 3 non-infectious causes of HUS.
Why are antibiotics contraindicated?
A
Infectious
E. coli O157:H7
Shigella
S. pneumoniae
Aeromonas
HIV
Non-Infectious
Drugs
Hereditary
Familial
Idiopathic
ABx enhances release of bacterial verotoxin
, 8
Q
What is the peak age for SCFE?
Name 6 associations with SCFE.
A
Peak age = 12 y/o, older in boys
1. Male
2. Obesity
3. Black
4. Endocrine disorders
5. Radiation therapy
6. Renal osteodystrophy
9
Q
List 6 causes of childhood ataxia.
A
1. Acute cerebellar ataxia
2. Post-infectious demyelinating encephalomyelitis
3. Brainstem encephalitis
4. Drug ingestion
5. Inborn errors of metabolism
6. Migraine
7. MS
8. Brain mass
9. Seizures
10.Stroke
11.Vertebral artery dissection
10
