What are the three components of the Pediatric Assessment Triangle (PAT)?

• A. Appearance, Work of Breathing, and Circulation to the skin
• B. Airway, Breathing, Circulation
• C. Appearance, Circulation, Disability
• D. Color, Breathing Rate, Pulse

Answer: (A)

The Pediatric Assessment Triangle is a rapid, first-look assessment that classifies a child’s condition by three observable domains: appearance, work of breathing, and circulation to the skin. Appearance evaluates how responsive and interactive the child is, giving a read on neurologic status and overall vigor. Work of breathing assesses how hard the child is fighting to breathe, looking for signs like nasal flaring, retractions, or grunting that indicate respiratory distress. Circulation to the skin examines perfusion through color, warmth, and capillary refill, signaling how well blood is reaching the skin and other tissues.

These three areas together provide a quick snapshot of overall status and help decide how urgently further airway, breathing, or circulation interventions are needed. Other options mix different frameworks or focus on individual signs that don’t capture the same rapid triage concept—so they don’t align with the specific PAT triad of appearance, work of breathing, and circulation to the skin.