PALS Final Exam: Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS) Questions &
Answers
An 8-year-old boy is unresponsive and snoring with shallow respirations
(10/min) after receiving rectal diazepam. What is the next step?
o A. Reposition the patient and insert an oral airway
o B. Provide bag-mask ventilation
o C. Administer additional diazepam
o D. Call for emergency assistance
o Answer: A. Reposition the patient and insert an oral airway
Rationale: Repositioning and using an oral airway are initial steps to
open the airway and ensure airflow in a patient with suspected upper
airway obstruction.
If the patient in the previous scenario continues to deteriorate after an oral
airway is inserted, what is the next step?
o A. Call for emergency assistance
o B. Provide bag-mask ventilation
o C. Administer epinephrine
o D. Suction the airway
Answer: B. Provide bag-mask ventilation
, o Rationale: When basic airway maneuvers fail and the patient
continues to deteriorate, active ventilation via bag-mask is required.
What is the correct compression-to-ventilation ratio for two-rescuer CPR on a
6-year-old child?
o A. 15:2
o B. 30:2
o C. 15:1
o D. 30:1
Answer: A. 15:2
o Rationale: The recommended ratio for two-rescuer pediatric CPR is
15 compressions to 2 breaths.
To avoid reperfusion injury during post-resuscitation management, what is the
ideal oxygen saturation range?
o A. 92% to 100%
o B. 92% to 99%
o C. 94% to 99%
o D. 94% to 100%
Answer: C. 94%-99%
o Rationale: Maintaining saturation within this specific range helps
minimize the risk of tissue damage caused by oxidative stress during
reperfusion.
, A 3-year-old is in cardiac arrest with a shockable rhythm. After the first shock
(2 J/kg), what should the team do next?
o A. Resume CPR, beginning with chest compressions
o B. Check for a pulse
o C. Analyze the rhythm
o D. Administer epinephrine
Answer: A. Resume CPR, beginning with chest compressions
o Rationale: High-quality CPR must be resumed immediately after
defibrillation without waiting for a pulse or rhythm check.
What is the recommended initial defibrillation dose range for a pediatric
patient?
o A. 4-6 J/kg
o B. 6-8 J/kg
o C. 0.5-2 J/kg
o D. 2-4 J/kg
Answer: D. 2-4 J/kg
Rationale: Guidelines specify an initial dose of 2 to 4 J/kg for pediatric
defibrillation.
For a child weighing 20 kg in cardiac arrest, what total energy (in Joules) should
be used for the initial shock?
Answers
An 8-year-old boy is unresponsive and snoring with shallow respirations
(10/min) after receiving rectal diazepam. What is the next step?
o A. Reposition the patient and insert an oral airway
o B. Provide bag-mask ventilation
o C. Administer additional diazepam
o D. Call for emergency assistance
o Answer: A. Reposition the patient and insert an oral airway
Rationale: Repositioning and using an oral airway are initial steps to
open the airway and ensure airflow in a patient with suspected upper
airway obstruction.
If the patient in the previous scenario continues to deteriorate after an oral
airway is inserted, what is the next step?
o A. Call for emergency assistance
o B. Provide bag-mask ventilation
o C. Administer epinephrine
o D. Suction the airway
Answer: B. Provide bag-mask ventilation
, o Rationale: When basic airway maneuvers fail and the patient
continues to deteriorate, active ventilation via bag-mask is required.
What is the correct compression-to-ventilation ratio for two-rescuer CPR on a
6-year-old child?
o A. 15:2
o B. 30:2
o C. 15:1
o D. 30:1
Answer: A. 15:2
o Rationale: The recommended ratio for two-rescuer pediatric CPR is
15 compressions to 2 breaths.
To avoid reperfusion injury during post-resuscitation management, what is the
ideal oxygen saturation range?
o A. 92% to 100%
o B. 92% to 99%
o C. 94% to 99%
o D. 94% to 100%
Answer: C. 94%-99%
o Rationale: Maintaining saturation within this specific range helps
minimize the risk of tissue damage caused by oxidative stress during
reperfusion.
, A 3-year-old is in cardiac arrest with a shockable rhythm. After the first shock
(2 J/kg), what should the team do next?
o A. Resume CPR, beginning with chest compressions
o B. Check for a pulse
o C. Analyze the rhythm
o D. Administer epinephrine
Answer: A. Resume CPR, beginning with chest compressions
o Rationale: High-quality CPR must be resumed immediately after
defibrillation without waiting for a pulse or rhythm check.
What is the recommended initial defibrillation dose range for a pediatric
patient?
o A. 4-6 J/kg
o B. 6-8 J/kg
o C. 0.5-2 J/kg
o D. 2-4 J/kg
Answer: D. 2-4 J/kg
Rationale: Guidelines specify an initial dose of 2 to 4 J/kg for pediatric
defibrillation.
For a child weighing 20 kg in cardiac arrest, what total energy (in Joules) should
be used for the initial shock?
