Florida State Paramedic Practice Exam

What is the leading cause of pediatric cardiac arrest?

1. Trauma

2. Respiratory arrest

3. Cardiac conditions

4. Pneumonia

The correct answer is: Respiratory arrest

The leading cause of pediatric cardiac arrest is respiratory arrest. This is largely due to the fact that children have a greater propensity for respiratory issues, which can quickly progress to respiratory failure and subsequently lead to cardiac arrest. In the pediatric population, events such as severe asthma attacks, choking, or respiratory infections can obstruct airflow, resulting in hypoxia, which is a significant contributor to respiratory arrest. When a child experiences a deficiency in oxygen, the heart's rhythm can become compromised, leading to arrest. In contrast, while trauma, cardiac conditions, and pneumonia can contribute to pediatric cardiac events, they are less common as primary causes compared to respiratory issues. Trauma may lead to cardiac arrest but is less frequent in young patients overall. Cardiac conditions, though serious, are relatively rare in children compared to respiratory challenges. Pneumonia can be a serious illness that affects breathing, but it more commonly leads to respiratory failure rather than direct cardiac arrest, making respiratory arrest the more prevalent root cause in pediatric emergencies.