Pediatric Vital Signs: Normal Ranges Every EMT-B Must Know

Pediatric calls feel harder because children compensate differently than adults. A child can look acceptable until they suddenly do not. That is why age-appropriate vital signs matter. You cannot judge an infant's heart rate or respiratory rate with adult expectations.

For EMT-B practice, keep the ranges simple and usable. They are guides, not replacements for general impression, work of breathing, perfusion, mental status, and caregiver history.

Practical ranges

• Infant, 1-12 months: HR 100-160, RR 30-60, systolic BP about 70-100
• Toddler, 1-3 years: HR 90-150, RR 24-40, systolic BP about 80-110
• School age, 6-12 years: HR 70-120, RR 18-30, systolic BP about 90-120
• Adolescent, 13-17 years: HR 60-100, RR 12-20, systolic BP about 100-130

The smaller the child, the more important trends become. A falling mental status, worsening work of breathing, weak pulses, delayed capillary refill, or poor skin signs can matter more than a single number.

Pediatric assessment triangle

The Pediatric Assessment Triangle gives you a fast first impression: appearance, work of breathing, and circulation to skin. It is not a replacement for vitals. It is the first doorway scan that tells you how urgent the next steps are.

If appearance is abnormal, breathing is labored, or skin signs are poor, treat the child as potentially unstable and move quickly through Primary Assessment.

Medication guardrails at EMT-B level

Epinephrine auto-injector dosing uses weight thresholds. Under 30 kg, use the pediatric auto-injector, commonly 0.15 mg. At 30 kg or more, use the standard 0.3 mg auto-injector per protocol. Oral glucose is not for infants under one year and is never for a patient who cannot swallow. Aspirin is not indicated for pediatric patients because of Reye's syndrome risk.

Albuterol assistance remains based on the patient's prescription and local protocol. Naloxone may be authorized by state protocol. When in doubt, follow local medical direction and request ALS for severe distress.

Why this shows up on the NREMT

Pediatrics are distributed across all domains. That means you may see pediatric scene safety, pediatric airway, pediatric shock, pediatric trauma, or pediatric operations. The exam is not only asking for numbers. It is asking whether you adjust your expectations for age.