PALS Final Exam 2026 | Real Exam Questions & Verified
Answers | Complete Pediatric Advanced Life Support
Prep
1. In a scenario where a pediatric patient presents with signs of increased
intracranial pressure, what additional intervention should the PALS team
consider alongside elevating the head of the bed?
Administer hypertonic saline
Perform a lumbar puncture
Initiate CPR
Provide oral rehydration
2. What is the recommended intervention for a pediatric patient experiencing
ventricular tachycardia with a pulse?
Medication administration
CPR
Synchronized cardioversion
Defibrillation
3. What is one common intervention used to manage increased intracranial
pressure in pediatric patients?
Elevate the head of the bed
Provide supplemental oxygen
Perform chest compressions
Administer intravenous fluids
,4. What laboratory test is commonly used to assess perfusion and oxygen
delivery in pediatric patients?
Lactate level
Blood glucose level
Complete blood count
Electrolyte panel
5. What is the arrhythmia characterized by an absence of pulse in a child as
indicated by an ECG waveform?
Bradycardia
Sinus tachycardia
Ventricular fibrillation
Atrial fibrillation
6. Describe the rationale behind initiating rescue breathing for a child with
gasping respirations and a pulse rate of 65 bpm.
Rescue breathing is only needed if the heart rate drops below 60
bpm.
Rescue breathing is critical to provide oxygen to the child since
gasping respirations indicate inadequate ventilation.
Rescue breathing is unnecessary if the pulse is present.
Rescue breathing can wait until the child is unconscious.
7. What is the recommended compression rate for performing CPR on a child?
60 to 80 compressions per minute
80 to 100 compressions per minute
, 120 to 140 compressions per minute
100 to 120 compressions per minute
8. What is the first step the team should take when preparing to administer
medications to a pediatric patient in cardiac arrest?
Perform a physical examination.
Administer medications based on adult dosages.
Estimate the child's weight.
Check the child's medical history.
9. The nurse is caring for a client who has hypomagnesaemia and hypokalemia.
While watching the telemetry monitor, the nurse notices a twisting of the QRS
complexes and immediately informs the health care provider that the monitor
reveals which abnormality.
Type III AV block
Paroxysmal atrial tachycardia
Torsade de pointes
First degree AV block
10. What virus is indicated by a positive rapid test in a pediatric patient
presenting with respiratory distress?
Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV)
Influenza virus
Adenovirus
Parainfluenza virus
, 11. A 7-year-old female with asthma is playing a soccer game in gym class.
During the game, the child begins to cough, wheeze, and have difficulty
catching her breath. The school nurse is called to the soccer field. Which of
the following should the nurse administer to provide quick relief?
Prednisone.
Flovent.
Albuterol.
Singulair.
12. In a scenario where a pediatric patient presents with an arrhythmia and
exhibits signs of inadequate perfusion, what should be the immediate
intervention?
Provide oxygen therapy and wait for further instructions.
Administer oral fluids and monitor vital signs.
Perform a detailed neurological assessment before any intervention.
Initiate high-quality CPR and assess for the need for defibrillation.
13. In a scenario where a child is exhibiting signs of respiratory distress and
increased work of breathing, what immediate intervention should the
healthcare provider consider?
Initiate intravenous fluid resuscitation
Perform chest compressions
Administer supplemental oxygen
Conduct a thorough neurological assessment
Answers | Complete Pediatric Advanced Life Support
Prep
1. In a scenario where a pediatric patient presents with signs of increased
intracranial pressure, what additional intervention should the PALS team
consider alongside elevating the head of the bed?
Administer hypertonic saline
Perform a lumbar puncture
Initiate CPR
Provide oral rehydration
2. What is the recommended intervention for a pediatric patient experiencing
ventricular tachycardia with a pulse?
Medication administration
CPR
Synchronized cardioversion
Defibrillation
3. What is one common intervention used to manage increased intracranial
pressure in pediatric patients?
Elevate the head of the bed
Provide supplemental oxygen
Perform chest compressions
Administer intravenous fluids
,4. What laboratory test is commonly used to assess perfusion and oxygen
delivery in pediatric patients?
Lactate level
Blood glucose level
Complete blood count
Electrolyte panel
5. What is the arrhythmia characterized by an absence of pulse in a child as
indicated by an ECG waveform?
Bradycardia
Sinus tachycardia
Ventricular fibrillation
Atrial fibrillation
6. Describe the rationale behind initiating rescue breathing for a child with
gasping respirations and a pulse rate of 65 bpm.
Rescue breathing is only needed if the heart rate drops below 60
bpm.
Rescue breathing is critical to provide oxygen to the child since
gasping respirations indicate inadequate ventilation.
Rescue breathing is unnecessary if the pulse is present.
Rescue breathing can wait until the child is unconscious.
7. What is the recommended compression rate for performing CPR on a child?
60 to 80 compressions per minute
80 to 100 compressions per minute
, 120 to 140 compressions per minute
100 to 120 compressions per minute
8. What is the first step the team should take when preparing to administer
medications to a pediatric patient in cardiac arrest?
Perform a physical examination.
Administer medications based on adult dosages.
Estimate the child's weight.
Check the child's medical history.
9. The nurse is caring for a client who has hypomagnesaemia and hypokalemia.
While watching the telemetry monitor, the nurse notices a twisting of the QRS
complexes and immediately informs the health care provider that the monitor
reveals which abnormality.
Type III AV block
Paroxysmal atrial tachycardia
Torsade de pointes
First degree AV block
10. What virus is indicated by a positive rapid test in a pediatric patient
presenting with respiratory distress?
Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV)
Influenza virus
Adenovirus
Parainfluenza virus
, 11. A 7-year-old female with asthma is playing a soccer game in gym class.
During the game, the child begins to cough, wheeze, and have difficulty
catching her breath. The school nurse is called to the soccer field. Which of
the following should the nurse administer to provide quick relief?
Prednisone.
Flovent.
Albuterol.
Singulair.
12. In a scenario where a pediatric patient presents with an arrhythmia and
exhibits signs of inadequate perfusion, what should be the immediate
intervention?
Provide oxygen therapy and wait for further instructions.
Administer oral fluids and monitor vital signs.
Perform a detailed neurological assessment before any intervention.
Initiate high-quality CPR and assess for the need for defibrillation.
13. In a scenario where a child is exhibiting signs of respiratory distress and
increased work of breathing, what immediate intervention should the
healthcare provider consider?
Initiate intravenous fluid resuscitation
Perform chest compressions
Administer supplemental oxygen
Conduct a thorough neurological assessment
