PFCCS Chapter 1 Study Guide 2026 – Pediatric
Fundamental Critical Care Support Review
PEWS (pediatric early warning score) - correct answers -Rating scale based on behavior, cardiovascular
status and respiratory status
Score determines intervention
Newborn heart and respiratory rate ( birth - 1 mo) - correct answers -R 40-60. HR 100-180
Infant heart rate and respiratory rate (1-12 mo) - correct answers -R 35-45. HR 100-180
Toddler heart rate and respiratory rate (13 mo- 3 y) - correct answers -R 25-35. HR 70-110
Preschool heart rate and respiratory rate (4-6y) - correct answers -R 21-23. HR 70-110
School age heart rate and respiratory rate (7-12 y) - correct answers -R 19-21. HR 70-110
Adolescent heart rate and respiratory rate (13-19y) - correct answers -R 16-18 HR 55-90
What position is best for a clinical exam? - correct answers -Position they spontaneously assume for
comfort
A child's level of reactivity and responsiveness is usually a reflection of what? - correct answers -A
reflection of the level of cerebral perfusion
in infants, how can alertness be evaluated? - correct answers -by observing their ability to fixate on
objects, particularly a parents face.
infant should turn towards sounds and should follow an objects horizontally and starting at one month
of age should f follow an object vertically as well
1
, older children age 8 months to 2 years should exhibit answerer towards strangers and show clear
recognition of parents and caregivers
hypopnea - correct answers -shallow breathing at least 10 seconds or more which reduces O2 by 30%
hyperpnea - correct answers -increase in depth and rate of breathing. differs from hyperventilating as
breaths are deeper instead of just faster
Poiseuille's Law - correct answers -a law of physiology stating that resistance in and airway is inversely
related to it's radius to the fourth power, so reducing the airway radius by 50% would increase the
resistance 16 times
Nasal flaring is a sign of _____ breathing. - correct answers -increased work of breathing.
this increases the nares radii to reduce resistance to the fourth power
Grunting is associated with - correct answers -increased work of breathing.
exhalation against a partially closed glottis to prevent the collapse of alveoli
Retractions of the sternum or ribs during inhalation: - correct answers -abnormal "sucking in" of the
chest wall during inspiration; indicated respiratory distress
bradypnea is a precursor of - correct answers -respiratory arrest
respiratory arrest is the most common cause of cardiopulmonary collapse in children
where is the best place to auscultate breath sounds after intubation? - correct answers -anterior axillary
line
2
Fundamental Critical Care Support Review
PEWS (pediatric early warning score) - correct answers -Rating scale based on behavior, cardiovascular
status and respiratory status
Score determines intervention
Newborn heart and respiratory rate ( birth - 1 mo) - correct answers -R 40-60. HR 100-180
Infant heart rate and respiratory rate (1-12 mo) - correct answers -R 35-45. HR 100-180
Toddler heart rate and respiratory rate (13 mo- 3 y) - correct answers -R 25-35. HR 70-110
Preschool heart rate and respiratory rate (4-6y) - correct answers -R 21-23. HR 70-110
School age heart rate and respiratory rate (7-12 y) - correct answers -R 19-21. HR 70-110
Adolescent heart rate and respiratory rate (13-19y) - correct answers -R 16-18 HR 55-90
What position is best for a clinical exam? - correct answers -Position they spontaneously assume for
comfort
A child's level of reactivity and responsiveness is usually a reflection of what? - correct answers -A
reflection of the level of cerebral perfusion
in infants, how can alertness be evaluated? - correct answers -by observing their ability to fixate on
objects, particularly a parents face.
infant should turn towards sounds and should follow an objects horizontally and starting at one month
of age should f follow an object vertically as well
1
, older children age 8 months to 2 years should exhibit answerer towards strangers and show clear
recognition of parents and caregivers
hypopnea - correct answers -shallow breathing at least 10 seconds or more which reduces O2 by 30%
hyperpnea - correct answers -increase in depth and rate of breathing. differs from hyperventilating as
breaths are deeper instead of just faster
Poiseuille's Law - correct answers -a law of physiology stating that resistance in and airway is inversely
related to it's radius to the fourth power, so reducing the airway radius by 50% would increase the
resistance 16 times
Nasal flaring is a sign of _____ breathing. - correct answers -increased work of breathing.
this increases the nares radii to reduce resistance to the fourth power
Grunting is associated with - correct answers -increased work of breathing.
exhalation against a partially closed glottis to prevent the collapse of alveoli
Retractions of the sternum or ribs during inhalation: - correct answers -abnormal "sucking in" of the
chest wall during inspiration; indicated respiratory distress
bradypnea is a precursor of - correct answers -respiratory arrest
respiratory arrest is the most common cause of cardiopulmonary collapse in children
where is the best place to auscultate breath sounds after intubation? - correct answers -anterior axillary
line
2
