PALS Written Exam Prep – Pediatric Advanced Life
Support | Latest Update 2026 | Graded A+
1. Describe the clinical indicators that suggest a patient is experiencing fluidrefractory
septic shock.
Indicators include prolonged capillary refill, diminished pulses, narrow pulse
pressure, and cool, mottled extremities.
Indicators include increased heart rate and warm extremities.
Indicators include normal pulse and warm extremities.
Indicators include high blood pressure and clear capillary refill.
2. Describe the role of nebulized epinephrine in the management of moderate croup
in pediatric patients.
Nebulized epinephrine is primarily used for treating allergic reactions.
Nebulized epinephrine helps to reduce airway swelling and improve breathing
in children with moderate croup.
Nebulized epinephrine increases heart rate and blood pressure in children.
Nebulized epinephrine is used to treat bacterial infections in the lungs.
3. What is the recommended chest compression rate for pediatric CPR?
60-80 compressions per minute
120-140 compressions per minute
100-120 compressions per minute
80-100 compressions per minute
,4. Which of the following would be most effective when treating a patient with
hypoxemia due to acute pulmonary edema?
CPAP with PEEP high flow O2 via NRB high
flow O2 via NRB and NC at 6 lpm
autoventilator
5. What is the primary goal in managing a child with pulmonary edema in
the pediatric intensive care unit?
Use diuretics to reduce lung fluid accumulation
Perform immediate intubation for all patients
Administer intravenous fluids to increase blood volume
Manage oxygenation and ventilation according to protocols for
PARDS
6. Why is the preservation of neurologic function critical in post-cardiac arrest care?
Preservation of neurologic function is secondary to managing respiratory
issues.
Preservation of neurologic function is less important than restoring circulation.
Preservation of neurologic function is critical because it determines the
patient's quality of life and potential for recovery.
Preservation of neurologic function is only relevant in adults, not children.
7. Describe the significance of the 15:2 compression-to-ventilation ratio in pediatric
CPR.
, The 15:2 ratio is used only for infants, not children.
The 15:2 ratio is primarily for use in cases of drowning.
The 15:2 ratio is the same for adults and children.
The 15:2 ratio ensures adequate blood circulation and oxygenation during
resuscitation efforts in children.
8. Describe the significance of audible wheezing in the context of pediatric emergency
assessments.
Audible wheezing suggests a need for surgical intervention.
Audible wheezing indicates potential respiratory distress and requires
immediate evaluation.
Audible wheezing is a normal finding in all children.
Audible wheezing is unrelated to respiratory conditions.
9. What is the primary goal of post-cardiac arrest care?
Preservation of neurologic function
Restoration of blood circulation
Management of shock
Reduction of respiratory distress
10. What is the most common complication leading to cardiac arrest in children and
infants?
Respiratory failure
Trauma
, Cardiac arrhythmias
Sepsis
11. What is the recommended action if an infant's central pulse rate improves to 65
bpm after initial resuscitation efforts?
Administer medications immediately.
Continue CPR and increase the ventilation rate.
Reassess the infant's airway and breathing only.
Stop CPR but continue ventilations (1 every 2 to 3 seconds) until the patient
is ventilating sufficiently.
12. What is the primary focus in managing shock in pediatric patients?
Oxygen delivery and oxygen demand
Temperature regulation and pain management
Fluid resuscitation and electrolyte balance
Medication administration and monitoring
13. After you have determined that the patient is unresponsive, quickly check for
breathing and a pulse. These assessments can occur simultaneously and should
take no longer than __________ seconds in total.
12 seconds
5 seconds
10 Seconds
7 seconds
14. The six links in the chain of survival in correct order are:
Support | Latest Update 2026 | Graded A+
1. Describe the clinical indicators that suggest a patient is experiencing fluidrefractory
septic shock.
Indicators include prolonged capillary refill, diminished pulses, narrow pulse
pressure, and cool, mottled extremities.
Indicators include increased heart rate and warm extremities.
Indicators include normal pulse and warm extremities.
Indicators include high blood pressure and clear capillary refill.
2. Describe the role of nebulized epinephrine in the management of moderate croup
in pediatric patients.
Nebulized epinephrine is primarily used for treating allergic reactions.
Nebulized epinephrine helps to reduce airway swelling and improve breathing
in children with moderate croup.
Nebulized epinephrine increases heart rate and blood pressure in children.
Nebulized epinephrine is used to treat bacterial infections in the lungs.
3. What is the recommended chest compression rate for pediatric CPR?
60-80 compressions per minute
120-140 compressions per minute
100-120 compressions per minute
80-100 compressions per minute
,4. Which of the following would be most effective when treating a patient with
hypoxemia due to acute pulmonary edema?
CPAP with PEEP high flow O2 via NRB high
flow O2 via NRB and NC at 6 lpm
autoventilator
5. What is the primary goal in managing a child with pulmonary edema in
the pediatric intensive care unit?
Use diuretics to reduce lung fluid accumulation
Perform immediate intubation for all patients
Administer intravenous fluids to increase blood volume
Manage oxygenation and ventilation according to protocols for
PARDS
6. Why is the preservation of neurologic function critical in post-cardiac arrest care?
Preservation of neurologic function is secondary to managing respiratory
issues.
Preservation of neurologic function is less important than restoring circulation.
Preservation of neurologic function is critical because it determines the
patient's quality of life and potential for recovery.
Preservation of neurologic function is only relevant in adults, not children.
7. Describe the significance of the 15:2 compression-to-ventilation ratio in pediatric
CPR.
, The 15:2 ratio is used only for infants, not children.
The 15:2 ratio is primarily for use in cases of drowning.
The 15:2 ratio is the same for adults and children.
The 15:2 ratio ensures adequate blood circulation and oxygenation during
resuscitation efforts in children.
8. Describe the significance of audible wheezing in the context of pediatric emergency
assessments.
Audible wheezing suggests a need for surgical intervention.
Audible wheezing indicates potential respiratory distress and requires
immediate evaluation.
Audible wheezing is a normal finding in all children.
Audible wheezing is unrelated to respiratory conditions.
9. What is the primary goal of post-cardiac arrest care?
Preservation of neurologic function
Restoration of blood circulation
Management of shock
Reduction of respiratory distress
10. What is the most common complication leading to cardiac arrest in children and
infants?
Respiratory failure
Trauma
, Cardiac arrhythmias
Sepsis
11. What is the recommended action if an infant's central pulse rate improves to 65
bpm after initial resuscitation efforts?
Administer medications immediately.
Continue CPR and increase the ventilation rate.
Reassess the infant's airway and breathing only.
Stop CPR but continue ventilations (1 every 2 to 3 seconds) until the patient
is ventilating sufficiently.
12. What is the primary focus in managing shock in pediatric patients?
Oxygen delivery and oxygen demand
Temperature regulation and pain management
Fluid resuscitation and electrolyte balance
Medication administration and monitoring
13. After you have determined that the patient is unresponsive, quickly check for
breathing and a pulse. These assessments can occur simultaneously and should
take no longer than __________ seconds in total.
12 seconds
5 seconds
10 Seconds
7 seconds
14. The six links in the chain of survival in correct order are:
