Certified Pediatric Emergency Nurse (CPEN) Practice Exam

What is the leading cause of death in children under the age of 30?

1. Cardiac arrest

2. Trauma

3. Cancer

4. Respiratory failure

The correct answer is: Trauma

Trauma is the leading cause of death in children under the age of 30. This category includes a variety of incidents such as motor vehicle accidents, falls, drownings, and other unintentional injuries. The prevalence of trauma as a cause of pediatric mortality is attributable to the active lifestyle of children and the inherent risks associated with their developmental stages, particularly as they become more mobile and engage in activities that may expose them to injury. In contrast, cardiac arrest, cancer, and respiratory failure, while significant health concerns in pediatrics, do not surpass the statistical incidence of trauma-related fatalities within this age group. Cardiac arrest in children, for example, is often secondary to several underlying issues, including congenital heart defects or severe asphyxia, but it is less common as a direct cause of death when considering all pediatric fatalities. Cancer, although it remains a crucial cause of death in children, has overall lower incidence rates compared to traumatic injuries. Respiratory failure is typically a result of underlying health conditions but also does not account for the majority of pediatric mortality compared to trauma. Understanding the dynamics of childhood injuries and prevention strategies is crucial in pediatric emergency nursing to address and reduce these preventable deaths effectively.