Question

Why would blood pressure be unreliable as an indication for perfusion in pediatric trauma patients < 3 years of age?

A - You cannot get an accurate BP due to cuff size disparity.
B - There may be compensated shock.
C - Pediatric patients normally have BP readings higher than adults.
D - Blood pressure readings are, in fact, reliable in children < 3.

Answer 1

Blood pressure is unreliable for indicating perfusion in pediatric patients under 3 because of their ability to maintain blood pressure during compensated shock. Multiple perfusion indicators are necessary to assess pediatric trauma accurately.

Step-by-step explanation:

The question asks why blood pressure would be unreliable as an indication for perfusion in pediatric trauma patients younger than 3 years old. The correct answer is B - There may be compensated shock. In pediatric patients, especially those under 3 years of age, traditional blood pressure measurements may not indicate perfusion status accurately because children have a greater capacity to maintain blood pressure by compensatory mechanisms even in the presence of significant blood loss. Therefore, a normal blood pressure in a pediatric trauma patient can be misleading, as the child may be in shock but still presenting with normal vital signs.

This compensation can fail abruptly, leading to decompensated shock, which is often more difficult to manage and can have worse outcomes. It is vital for assessments in pediatric trauma to include multiple indicators of perfusion such as mental status, skin color, temperature, and capillary refill, alongside blood pressure.