Certified Pediatric Emergency Nurse (CPEN) Practice Exam

After assessing the ABC status in a 9-month-old trauma patient, what should the nurse do next?

1. Assess metabolic demands

2. Maintain core temperature

3. Check Level of Consciousness

4. Assess Vital Signs

The correct answer is: Check Level of Consciousness

Following the initial assessment of airway, breathing, and circulation (ABCs) in a 9-month-old trauma patient, the next critical step is to check the level of consciousness. This assessment is crucial because altered consciousness may indicate significant ongoing neurological compromise or the severity of the trauma. In pediatric patients, the level of consciousness can provide vital information regarding brain perfusion and potential injuries that may need immediate intervention. Assessing the level of consciousness helps determine if the child is able to respond appropriately, which is essential for further evaluation and management. Using standardized scales such as the AVPU (Alert, Verbal, Pain, Unresponsive) or the Glasgow Coma Scale helps quantify the level of responsiveness, guiding the medical team in their treatment priorities. While maintaining core temperature, assessing vital signs, and evaluating metabolic demands are important components of pediatric emergency care, they follow the immediate evaluation of the patient’s neurological status. In trauma cases, timely identification of neurological impairment can influence immediate interventions, such as the need for imaging or advanced airway management, making level of consciousness a priority after assessing the ABCs.