A 2-Year-Old Becomes Unresponsive on the Pediatrics Ward

Abstract

Abstract Introduction This resource represents a case study about a 2-year old with myocarditis and congestive heart failure becomes unresponsive on the Pediatrics ward. Methods During the simulation, participants learn that the child had just transferred out from ICU where she had been treated with digoxin, lasix, and electrolyte supplements. The child is apneic, pulseless, and has disorganized electrical activity on the cardiac monitor. Participants must recognize ventricular fibrillation (VF) and treat it aggressively with prompt CPR, defibrillation, and epinephrine. Results During the usability testing conducted at our institution, 95% of individuals who completed the pediatric advanced life support cases on a computer simulator felt that it was an effective training experience. Discussion Our institution has a full-scale mannequin simulator laboratory with a curricular focus on interdisciplinary, team-based management of pediatric medical emergencies. The majority of providers in our hospital who regularly train in the mannequin laboratory use these computer scenarios to prepare for their team training, and the vast majority of these individuals feel it prepares them to better succeed during their team training exercises.

Keywords

• Ventricular Fibrillation
• Heart Failure
• Cardiopulmonary Arrest
• Pediatric Advanced Life Support
• Myocardial Failure