AHA PALS Practice exam Questions And Verified Answers
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AHA PALS Practice exam
Questions And Verified Answers
Complete Solutions,
100% Correct
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1. A 5-year-old child presents with lethargy, increased work of breathing, and pale color.
The primary assessment reveals that the airway is open and the respiratory rate is 30/min,
with crackles heard on auscultation. The cardiac monitor shows sinus tachycardia at a rate
of 165/min. The pulse oximeter displays an oxygen saturation of 95% and a pulse rate of
93/min. On the basis of this information, which of the following provides the best
interpretation of the oxygen saturation of 95% by pulse oximetry?
A. Reliable; no supplementary oxygen is indicated
B. Reliable; supplementary oxygen should be administered
C. Unreliable; no supplementary oxygen is indicated
D. Unreliable; supplementary oxygen should be administered
Answer: Unreliable; supplementary oxygen should be administered
Explanation: The pulse oximeter shows a pulse rate of 93/min, but the cardiac monitor
shows sinus tachycardia at 165/min. This discrepancy indicates poor perfusion or motion
artifact, making the oximetry reading unreliable. Given the child’s lethargy, increased work
of breathing, and crackles, supplemental oxygen should be administered despite the
unreliable reading.
2. A 3-year-old child was recently diagnosed with leukemia and has been treated with
chemotherapy. The child presents with lethargy and a high fever. Heart rate is 195/min,
respiratory rate is 36/min, blood pressure is 85/40 mm Hg, and capillary refill time is less
than 2 seconds. What is the child's most likely condition?
A. Septic shock
B. Hypovolemic shock
,C. Significant bradycardia
D. Cardiogenic shock
Answer: Septic shock
Explanation: The child is immunocompromised from chemotherapy, has fever and lethargy.
Tachycardia, tachypnea, and a wide pulse pressure (85/40) with normal capillary refill
suggest early (warm) septic shock. Hypovolemic shock typically has delayed capillary refill;
cardiogenic shock would show poor perfusion; bradycardia is not present.
3. A 2-week-old infant presents with irritability and a history of poor feeding. Blood
pressure is 55/40 mm Hg. What term describes this infant's blood pressure?
A. Hypotensive
B. Normal
C. Hypertensive
D. Compensated
Answer: Hypotensive
Explanation: Normal systolic blood pressure for a full-term newborn (0–28 days) is
approximately 60–90 mm Hg. A systolic of 55 mm Hg is below the normal range, thus
hypotensive. Irritability and poor feeding may be signs of hypoperfusion.
, 4. During a resuscitation attempt, the team leader orders an initial dose of epinephrine at
0.1 mg/kg to be given 10. What should the team member do?
A. Administer the drug as ordered
B. Administer 0.01 mg/kg of epinephrine
C. Respectfully ask the team leader to clarify the dose
D. Refuse to administer the drug
Answer: Respectfully ask the team leader to clarify the dose
Explanation: The recommended IV/IO epinephrine dose for pediatric cardiac arrest is 0.01
mg/kg (0.1 mL/kg of 1:10,000 solution). An order for 0.1 mg/kg is ten times higher. The
team member should respectfully question the dose to prevent medication error.
5. Which of the following is a characteristic of respiratory failure?
A. Inadequate oxygenation and/or ventilation
B. Hypotension
C. An increase in serum pH (alkalosis)
D. Abnormal respiratory sounds
Answer: Inadequate oxygenation and/or ventilation
Explanation: Respiratory failure is defined by inadequate gas exchange, leading to
hypoxemia, hypercapnia, or both. Hypotension and abnormal sounds may be present but
are not defining characteristics. Alkalosis is not typical; acidosis is common.
Complete Solutions, 100% Correct | New Update | |
Complete A+ Guide
Geniusexpert stuvia
THIS DOCUMENT CONTAINS:
AHA PALS Practice exam
Questions And Verified Answers
Complete Solutions,
100% Correct
New Update
Complete A+ Guide
,. https://www.stuvia.com/user/geniusexpert
1. A 5-year-old child presents with lethargy, increased work of breathing, and pale color.
The primary assessment reveals that the airway is open and the respiratory rate is 30/min,
with crackles heard on auscultation. The cardiac monitor shows sinus tachycardia at a rate
of 165/min. The pulse oximeter displays an oxygen saturation of 95% and a pulse rate of
93/min. On the basis of this information, which of the following provides the best
interpretation of the oxygen saturation of 95% by pulse oximetry?
A. Reliable; no supplementary oxygen is indicated
B. Reliable; supplementary oxygen should be administered
C. Unreliable; no supplementary oxygen is indicated
D. Unreliable; supplementary oxygen should be administered
Answer: Unreliable; supplementary oxygen should be administered
Explanation: The pulse oximeter shows a pulse rate of 93/min, but the cardiac monitor
shows sinus tachycardia at 165/min. This discrepancy indicates poor perfusion or motion
artifact, making the oximetry reading unreliable. Given the child’s lethargy, increased work
of breathing, and crackles, supplemental oxygen should be administered despite the
unreliable reading.
2. A 3-year-old child was recently diagnosed with leukemia and has been treated with
chemotherapy. The child presents with lethargy and a high fever. Heart rate is 195/min,
respiratory rate is 36/min, blood pressure is 85/40 mm Hg, and capillary refill time is less
than 2 seconds. What is the child's most likely condition?
A. Septic shock
B. Hypovolemic shock
,C. Significant bradycardia
D. Cardiogenic shock
Answer: Septic shock
Explanation: The child is immunocompromised from chemotherapy, has fever and lethargy.
Tachycardia, tachypnea, and a wide pulse pressure (85/40) with normal capillary refill
suggest early (warm) septic shock. Hypovolemic shock typically has delayed capillary refill;
cardiogenic shock would show poor perfusion; bradycardia is not present.
3. A 2-week-old infant presents with irritability and a history of poor feeding. Blood
pressure is 55/40 mm Hg. What term describes this infant's blood pressure?
A. Hypotensive
B. Normal
C. Hypertensive
D. Compensated
Answer: Hypotensive
Explanation: Normal systolic blood pressure for a full-term newborn (0–28 days) is
approximately 60–90 mm Hg. A systolic of 55 mm Hg is below the normal range, thus
hypotensive. Irritability and poor feeding may be signs of hypoperfusion.
, 4. During a resuscitation attempt, the team leader orders an initial dose of epinephrine at
0.1 mg/kg to be given 10. What should the team member do?
A. Administer the drug as ordered
B. Administer 0.01 mg/kg of epinephrine
C. Respectfully ask the team leader to clarify the dose
D. Refuse to administer the drug
Answer: Respectfully ask the team leader to clarify the dose
Explanation: The recommended IV/IO epinephrine dose for pediatric cardiac arrest is 0.01
mg/kg (0.1 mL/kg of 1:10,000 solution). An order for 0.1 mg/kg is ten times higher. The
team member should respectfully question the dose to prevent medication error.
5. Which of the following is a characteristic of respiratory failure?
A. Inadequate oxygenation and/or ventilation
B. Hypotension
C. An increase in serum pH (alkalosis)
D. Abnormal respiratory sounds
Answer: Inadequate oxygenation and/or ventilation
Explanation: Respiratory failure is defined by inadequate gas exchange, leading to
hypoxemia, hypercapnia, or both. Hypotension and abnormal sounds may be present but
are not defining characteristics. Alkalosis is not typical; acidosis is common.
