AHA PALS EXAM QUESTIONS AND
CORRECT DETAILED ANSWERS WITH
RATIONALES
Question 1
A pulseless 6-week-old infant arrives in the emergency department, and high-quality
CPR is in progress. The initial rhythm strip is shown below. CPR continues, and
vascular access has been established. What is the next appropriate intervention?
A. Administer atropine 0.02 mg/kg IO/IV
B. Attempt defibrillation with a 2 J/kg shock
C. Administer epinephrine 0.01 mg/kg IO/IV
D. Consider insertion of an advanced airway
Correct Answer
Administer epinephrine 0.01 mg/kg IO/IV
Question 2
Which of the following is most likely to produce a prolonged expiratory phase and
wheezing?
A. Disordered control of breathing
B. Hypovolemic shock
C. Lower airway obstruction
D. Upper airway obstruction
Correct Answer
Lower airway obstruction
Page 1 of 23
,Question 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
Correct Answer
Hypotensive
Question 4
What abnormality is most likely to be present in children with acute respiratory
distress caused by lung tissue disease?
A. Decreased oxygen saturation
B. Stridor
C. Normal respiratory rate
D. Decreased respiratory effort
Correct Answer
Decreased oxygen saturation
Question 5
What is the most likely cause of head bobbing in infants?
A. Increased respiratory effort
B. Improving respiratory status
C. Decompensated shock
D. Brain injury
Correct Answer
Increased respiratory effort
Page 2 of 23
, Question 6
A 12-year-old child suddenly collapses while playing sports. He is unresponsive and
not breathing. Emergency response is activated. The child has no pulse, and CPR is
initiated. An AED arrives. What is the most appropriate next intervention?
A. Contact the child's family
B. Provide CPR for 2 minutes
C. Drive the child to the hospital
D. Use the AED
Correct Answer
Use the AED
Question 7
An 8-year-old child had a sudden onset of palpitations and light-headedness. At the
time of evaluation the child is alert. His respiratory rate is 26/ min, and his blood
pressure is 104/70 mm Hg. A cardiac monitor is applied, and the rhythm below is
noted. What is the most appropriate initial intervention?
A. Provide synchronized cardioversion at 0.5 to 1 J/kg
B. Attempt vagal maneuvers
C. Administer adenosine 0.1 mg/kg over 5 minutes D. Administer amiodarone 5
mg/kg over 20 minutes
Correct Answer
Attempt vagal maneuvers
Question 8
A 4-year-old is being treated for hypovolemic shock and has received a single fluid
bolus of 20 mL/kg of normal saline. On reevaluation the child remains anxious, with a
heart rate of 140/min, a blood pressure of 84/54 mm Hg, and a capillary refill time of
4 seconds. What describes this patient's condition?
A. Hypotensive shock
B. Compensated shock
C. No longer in shock
D. Cardiogenic shock
Correct Answer
Compensated shock
Page 3 of 23
CORRECT DETAILED ANSWERS WITH
RATIONALES
Question 1
A pulseless 6-week-old infant arrives in the emergency department, and high-quality
CPR is in progress. The initial rhythm strip is shown below. CPR continues, and
vascular access has been established. What is the next appropriate intervention?
A. Administer atropine 0.02 mg/kg IO/IV
B. Attempt defibrillation with a 2 J/kg shock
C. Administer epinephrine 0.01 mg/kg IO/IV
D. Consider insertion of an advanced airway
Correct Answer
Administer epinephrine 0.01 mg/kg IO/IV
Question 2
Which of the following is most likely to produce a prolonged expiratory phase and
wheezing?
A. Disordered control of breathing
B. Hypovolemic shock
C. Lower airway obstruction
D. Upper airway obstruction
Correct Answer
Lower airway obstruction
Page 1 of 23
,Question 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
Correct Answer
Hypotensive
Question 4
What abnormality is most likely to be present in children with acute respiratory
distress caused by lung tissue disease?
A. Decreased oxygen saturation
B. Stridor
C. Normal respiratory rate
D. Decreased respiratory effort
Correct Answer
Decreased oxygen saturation
Question 5
What is the most likely cause of head bobbing in infants?
A. Increased respiratory effort
B. Improving respiratory status
C. Decompensated shock
D. Brain injury
Correct Answer
Increased respiratory effort
Page 2 of 23
, Question 6
A 12-year-old child suddenly collapses while playing sports. He is unresponsive and
not breathing. Emergency response is activated. The child has no pulse, and CPR is
initiated. An AED arrives. What is the most appropriate next intervention?
A. Contact the child's family
B. Provide CPR for 2 minutes
C. Drive the child to the hospital
D. Use the AED
Correct Answer
Use the AED
Question 7
An 8-year-old child had a sudden onset of palpitations and light-headedness. At the
time of evaluation the child is alert. His respiratory rate is 26/ min, and his blood
pressure is 104/70 mm Hg. A cardiac monitor is applied, and the rhythm below is
noted. What is the most appropriate initial intervention?
A. Provide synchronized cardioversion at 0.5 to 1 J/kg
B. Attempt vagal maneuvers
C. Administer adenosine 0.1 mg/kg over 5 minutes D. Administer amiodarone 5
mg/kg over 20 minutes
Correct Answer
Attempt vagal maneuvers
Question 8
A 4-year-old is being treated for hypovolemic shock and has received a single fluid
bolus of 20 mL/kg of normal saline. On reevaluation the child remains anxious, with a
heart rate of 140/min, a blood pressure of 84/54 mm Hg, and a capillary refill time of
4 seconds. What describes this patient's condition?
A. Hypotensive shock
B. Compensated shock
C. No longer in shock
D. Cardiogenic shock
Correct Answer
Compensated shock
Page 3 of 23
