Shockable paediatric arrest — DipIMC MCQ

Instant feedback + full explanation. One question, done properly.

HardResuscitationShockable paediatric arrestDipIMC

A 10-year-old estimated to weigh 30 kg is in witnessed cardiac arrest with persistent VF. Defibrillator pads are correctly positioned and high-quality CPR is ongoing. What initial energy should be selected?

Educational content. Not a substitute for clinical judgement or local policy.

Reveal the answer and explanation

Correct answer: C — 4 J/kg biphasic

The best answer is “4 J/kg biphasic”. Paediatric shockable arrest uses an initial biphasic energy of 4 J/kg, which is 120 J for this child. Lower energy risks ineffective defibrillation, whereas a fixed adult energy is not the weight-based paediatric recommendation. Defibrillation must be delivered with minimal interruption to CPR and followed immediately by further compressions.

Reference: Resuscitation Council UK, Paediatric life support: https://www.resus.org.uk/professional-library/2025-resuscitation-guidelines/paediatric-basic-life-support-guidelines