PALS Certification Exam 2026 | Real Exam Questions &
Verified Answers | Complete Pediatric Life Support Prep
1. What is the recommended maximum duration for checking an infant's pulse
and breathing before initiating CPR?
15 seconds
1 min
20 seconds
10 seconds
2. What is the recommended medication for a pediatric patient with severe
respiratory distress and low oxygen saturation?
Ibuprofen
Epinephrine
Aspirin
Amiodarone
3. You are caring for a 3-month-old boy with a 2-day history of fever, vomiting,
and diarrhea. His parents state that he has been sleeping much more. HR
190/min, Temp 38.3 C (101 F), BP 59/29 mm Hg, RR 70/min and shallow, O2
94% on 100% oxygen, Capillary refill 4-5 seconds, He has mottled, cool
extremities, Weight 6 kg. On the basis of this infant's presentation, what type
of shock does this infant have?
Obstructive
Cardiogenic
Hypovolemic
Distributive
,4. A six-year-old boy is evaluating her difficulty breathing. What findings would
suggest the child has respiratory distress?
Decreased respiratory effort
Audible inspiratory stridor
Oxygen saturation of 95%
Respiratory rate of 8/minute
5. During your assessment of a 5-year-old child, you discover a heart rate of
200 bpm. The rhythm strip reveals narrow QRS complexes corresponding to
the patient's pulse rate. The rhythm most likely represents:
ventricular tachycardia
supraventricular tachycardia
sinus tachycardia
rapid atrial fibrillation
6. Describe the significance of knowing the normal respiratory rate for a 3-year-
old child in a clinical setting.
The respiratory rate is irrelevant for children under 5 years old.
Knowing the normal respiratory rate helps in assessing respiratory
distress and overall health in pediatric patients.
Normal respiratory rates are the same for all age groups.
Respiratory rates are only important during physical activity.
7. Describe why an altered level of consciousness in a pediatric patient after a
motor vehicle collision is a critical finding.
, An altered level of consciousness is often a normal response to pain
and does not require immediate action.
An altered level of consciousness suggests the child is simply tired
and needs rest.
An altered level of consciousness is unrelated to trauma and can be
monitored.
An altered level of consciousness indicates potential brain injury or
significant trauma, requiring urgent evaluation and intervention.
8. In a scenario where a 3 month old infant presents with severe dehydration
from diarrhea and is showing signs of hypovolemic shock, what would be the
immediate intervention to address this condition?
Provide supplemental oxygen
Initiate antibiotic therapy
Perform chest compressions
Administer intravenous fluids
9. In a scenario where a 12-year-old girl with acute lymphoblastic leukemia
presents with a temperature of 39 degrees C and shows signs of respiratory
distress, what should be your immediate course of action?
Provide reassurance and wait for her symptoms to resolve.
Conduct a thorough assessment to identify the cause of respiratory
distress and initiate appropriate interventions.
Administer antipyretics and monitor her temperature only.
Refer her to a specialist without further assessment.
10. An 8-year-old child is brought to the emergency department by ambulance
after being involved in a motor vehicle collision. What finding would suggest
, that immediate intervention is needed?
Warm, moist skin
Decreased level of consciousness
Systolic blood pressure of 106 mm Hg
Temperature of 38.1°C (100.5°F)
11. Anb18-month old has had vomiting and diarrhea for the past 2 days; the
mother brings him to the emergency department because he is becoming
more lethargic. What diagnostic test should you order first?
Blood glucose
Serum potassium
12-lead ECG
Arterial blood gases
12. In a scenario where an 8-year-old boy is unresponsive after diazepam
administration and has shallow respirations, what immediate intervention
should be prioritized?
Provide supplemental oxygen and assist ventilation if necessary.
Administer intravenous fluids immediately.
Wait for the patient to regain consciousness.
Perform a rapid sequence intubation.
13. What are the signs that indicate a child may be experiencing acute
respiratory distress due to lung tissue disease?
Cyanosis
Decreased respiratory effort or crackles
Verified Answers | Complete Pediatric Life Support Prep
1. What is the recommended maximum duration for checking an infant's pulse
and breathing before initiating CPR?
15 seconds
1 min
20 seconds
10 seconds
2. What is the recommended medication for a pediatric patient with severe
respiratory distress and low oxygen saturation?
Ibuprofen
Epinephrine
Aspirin
Amiodarone
3. You are caring for a 3-month-old boy with a 2-day history of fever, vomiting,
and diarrhea. His parents state that he has been sleeping much more. HR
190/min, Temp 38.3 C (101 F), BP 59/29 mm Hg, RR 70/min and shallow, O2
94% on 100% oxygen, Capillary refill 4-5 seconds, He has mottled, cool
extremities, Weight 6 kg. On the basis of this infant's presentation, what type
of shock does this infant have?
Obstructive
Cardiogenic
Hypovolemic
Distributive
,4. A six-year-old boy is evaluating her difficulty breathing. What findings would
suggest the child has respiratory distress?
Decreased respiratory effort
Audible inspiratory stridor
Oxygen saturation of 95%
Respiratory rate of 8/minute
5. During your assessment of a 5-year-old child, you discover a heart rate of
200 bpm. The rhythm strip reveals narrow QRS complexes corresponding to
the patient's pulse rate. The rhythm most likely represents:
ventricular tachycardia
supraventricular tachycardia
sinus tachycardia
rapid atrial fibrillation
6. Describe the significance of knowing the normal respiratory rate for a 3-year-
old child in a clinical setting.
The respiratory rate is irrelevant for children under 5 years old.
Knowing the normal respiratory rate helps in assessing respiratory
distress and overall health in pediatric patients.
Normal respiratory rates are the same for all age groups.
Respiratory rates are only important during physical activity.
7. Describe why an altered level of consciousness in a pediatric patient after a
motor vehicle collision is a critical finding.
, An altered level of consciousness is often a normal response to pain
and does not require immediate action.
An altered level of consciousness suggests the child is simply tired
and needs rest.
An altered level of consciousness is unrelated to trauma and can be
monitored.
An altered level of consciousness indicates potential brain injury or
significant trauma, requiring urgent evaluation and intervention.
8. In a scenario where a 3 month old infant presents with severe dehydration
from diarrhea and is showing signs of hypovolemic shock, what would be the
immediate intervention to address this condition?
Provide supplemental oxygen
Initiate antibiotic therapy
Perform chest compressions
Administer intravenous fluids
9. In a scenario where a 12-year-old girl with acute lymphoblastic leukemia
presents with a temperature of 39 degrees C and shows signs of respiratory
distress, what should be your immediate course of action?
Provide reassurance and wait for her symptoms to resolve.
Conduct a thorough assessment to identify the cause of respiratory
distress and initiate appropriate interventions.
Administer antipyretics and monitor her temperature only.
Refer her to a specialist without further assessment.
10. An 8-year-old child is brought to the emergency department by ambulance
after being involved in a motor vehicle collision. What finding would suggest
, that immediate intervention is needed?
Warm, moist skin
Decreased level of consciousness
Systolic blood pressure of 106 mm Hg
Temperature of 38.1°C (100.5°F)
11. Anb18-month old has had vomiting and diarrhea for the past 2 days; the
mother brings him to the emergency department because he is becoming
more lethargic. What diagnostic test should you order first?
Blood glucose
Serum potassium
12-lead ECG
Arterial blood gases
12. In a scenario where an 8-year-old boy is unresponsive after diazepam
administration and has shallow respirations, what immediate intervention
should be prioritized?
Provide supplemental oxygen and assist ventilation if necessary.
Administer intravenous fluids immediately.
Wait for the patient to regain consciousness.
Perform a rapid sequence intubation.
13. What are the signs that indicate a child may be experiencing acute
respiratory distress due to lung tissue disease?
Cyanosis
Decreased respiratory effort or crackles
