Paediatric emergencies: defibrillation dose: practice question

A Pediatrics question in the style of the NEET PG paper. Answer it first, then read why the right option is right and why each of the others is wrong.

Try it

Pediatrics · Paediatric emergencies: defibrillation dose

Sample item

A child in cardiac arrest has ventricular fibrillation on the monitor. What energy is used for the first and second shocks?

A200 J then 360 JB10 J/kg first, then 20 J/kgC2 J/kg first, then 4 J/kgD0.5 J/kg first, then 1 J/kg

Original practice item, not a recalled exam question. Nothing here is recorded.

The answer and the reasoning

C. 2 J/kg first, then 4 J/kg

For ventricular fibrillation or pulseless ventricular tachycardia, the first shock is 2 J/kg followed by 4 J/kg for subsequent shocks, with CPR resumed immediately after each shock. Adult fixed energies are used for larger adolescents.

Option by option

A. 200 J then 360 J
These are adult energy levels.
B. 10 J/kg first, then 20 J/kg
These doses are excessive.
C. 2 J/kg first, then 4 J/kg (correct)
Correct. 2 J/kg then 4 J/kg.
D. 0.5 J/kg first, then 1 J/kg
These are too low to be effective.

Source note: Original NextPrep sample item — pending expert review. This item is original practice material awaiting independent expert review, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.

Questions about this Pediatrics question

What is the answer to this Pediatrics question?

The best answer is C, 2 J/kg first, then 4 J/kg. For ventricular fibrillation or pulseless ventricular tachycardia, the first shock is 2 J/kg followed by 4 J/kg for subsequent shocks, with CPR resumed immediately after each shock.

Why is "200 J then 360 J" not the answer?

These are adult energy levels.

Why is "10 J/kg first, then 20 J/kg" not the answer?

These doses are excessive.

Why is "0.5 J/kg first, then 1 J/kg" not the answer?

These are too low to be effective.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Paediatric emergencies: defibrillation dose in Pediatrics. Adult fixed energies are used for larger adolescents.

How hard is this question?

We tag it as an application question: it asks you to use a fact on a patient or a finding. The tag is our own editorial judgement, not an official difficulty rating, so read the reason for every option, not only the answer.

How should I study Paediatric emergencies: defibrillation dose?

Memorise milestones and the vaccine schedule as tables and revise them often. Then use the flashcards and the other Pediatrics questions on this site to test what stuck.

Is this a real NEET PG question?

No. It is an original practice item (editorial status: sample, version 1). NextPrep does not publish recalled or leaked questions, and independent faculty review of this item has not been completed yet, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.