PALS – Red Cross Final Exam Questions and
Answers 2026/2027 – Verified A+ Grade Study
Guide
1. The Pediatric Assessment Triangle (PAT) consists of:
A. Appearance, Breathing, Circulation
B. Airway, Breathing, Circulation
C. Airway, Breathing, Disability
D. Appearance, Breathing, Color
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The Pediatric Assessment Triangle consists of Appearance, Breathing, and
Circulation. It provides a rapid, hands-off assessment of the child's condition.
2. A normal finding in the "Appearance" component of the PAT includes:
A. Alert, interactive, and age-appropriate behavior
B. Lethargic and unresponsive
C. Irritable and inconsolable
D. Confused and disoriented
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Normal appearance is characterized by an alert, interactive child with age-
appropriate behavior and activity.
3. Abnormal "Breathing" in the PAT may include:
A. Normal respiratory rate
B. Retractions and nasal flaring
C. Clear breath sounds
D. Regular breathing pattern
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Abnormal breathing signs include retractions, nasal flaring, grunting, and
abnormal respiratory effort.
4. Abnormal "Circulation" in the PAT may include:
,A. Pink skin color
B. Pale, mottled, or cyanotic skin
C. Normal capillary refill (<2 seconds)
D. Strong distal pulses
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Abnormal circulation signs include pale, mottled, or cyanotic skin, which
indicate poor perfusion.
5. The primary assessment in PALS includes:
A. Airway, Breathing, Circulation
B. Airway, Breathing, Circulation, Disability, Exposure
C. Assessment, Diagnosis, Plan, Intervention, Evaluation
D. Appearance, Breathing, Circulation
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The primary assessment follows the ABCDE approach: Airway, Breathing,
Circulation, Disability, Exposure.
6. The secondary assessment in PALS includes:
A. Focused history and physical examination
B. SAMPLE history
C. Vital signs
D. All of the above
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The secondary assessment includes a focused history (SAMPLE), physical
examination, and vital signs.
7. SAMPLE history stands for:
A. Signs/Symptoms, Allergies, Medications, Past medical history, Last meal, Events
B. Signs/Symptoms, Airway, Medications, Past medical history, Last meal, Events
C. Signs/Symptoms, Allergies, Medications, Pulse, Last meal, Events
D. Signs/Symptoms, Allergies, Medications, Past medical history, Lung sounds, Events
,Correct Answer: A
Rationale: SAMPLE history includes Signs/Symptoms, Allergies, Medications, Past
medical history, Last meal, and Events leading to the emergency.
8. The normal heart rate for an infant (1-12 months) is:
A. 60-100 bpm
B. 80-120 bpm
C. 100-160 bpm
D. 120-180 bpm
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Normal heart rate for an infant is 100-160 bpm.
9. The normal heart rate for a toddler (1-3 years) is:
A. 60-100 bpm
B. 80-120 bpm
C. 90-150 bpm
D. 100-160 bpm
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Normal heart rate for a toddler is 90-150 bpm.
10. The normal respiratory rate for a newborn is:
A. 20-30 breaths/min
B. 30-40 breaths/min
C. 40-60 breaths/min
D. 60-80 breaths/min
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Normal respiratory rate for a newborn is 40-60 breaths/min.
11. The normal respiratory rate for an infant (1-12 months) is:
A. 20-30 breaths/min
B. 30-40 breaths/min
C. 40-60 breaths/min
D. 60-80 breaths/min
, Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Normal respiratory rate for an infant is 30-40 breaths/min.
12. The normal respiratory rate for a toddler (1-3 years) is:
A. 20-30 breaths/min
B. 30-40 breaths/min
C. 24-40 breaths/min
D. 40-60 breaths/min
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Normal respiratory rate for a toddler is 24-40 breaths/min.
13. Capillary refill time is considered abnormal if it is greater than:
A. 1 second
B. 2 seconds
C. 3 seconds
D. 4 seconds
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Normal capillary refill time is less than 2 seconds. Prolonged capillary refill
(>2 seconds) indicates poor perfusion.
14. The Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) is used to assess:
A. Level of consciousness
B. Respiratory status
C. Cardiac status
D. Neurological status
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The GCS is used to assess level of consciousness.
15. Which of the following is a sign of increased work of breathing?
A. Normal respiratory rate
B. Retractions
C. Clear breath sounds
D. Pink skin color
Answers 2026/2027 – Verified A+ Grade Study
Guide
1. The Pediatric Assessment Triangle (PAT) consists of:
A. Appearance, Breathing, Circulation
B. Airway, Breathing, Circulation
C. Airway, Breathing, Disability
D. Appearance, Breathing, Color
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The Pediatric Assessment Triangle consists of Appearance, Breathing, and
Circulation. It provides a rapid, hands-off assessment of the child's condition.
2. A normal finding in the "Appearance" component of the PAT includes:
A. Alert, interactive, and age-appropriate behavior
B. Lethargic and unresponsive
C. Irritable and inconsolable
D. Confused and disoriented
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Normal appearance is characterized by an alert, interactive child with age-
appropriate behavior and activity.
3. Abnormal "Breathing" in the PAT may include:
A. Normal respiratory rate
B. Retractions and nasal flaring
C. Clear breath sounds
D. Regular breathing pattern
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Abnormal breathing signs include retractions, nasal flaring, grunting, and
abnormal respiratory effort.
4. Abnormal "Circulation" in the PAT may include:
,A. Pink skin color
B. Pale, mottled, or cyanotic skin
C. Normal capillary refill (<2 seconds)
D. Strong distal pulses
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Abnormal circulation signs include pale, mottled, or cyanotic skin, which
indicate poor perfusion.
5. The primary assessment in PALS includes:
A. Airway, Breathing, Circulation
B. Airway, Breathing, Circulation, Disability, Exposure
C. Assessment, Diagnosis, Plan, Intervention, Evaluation
D. Appearance, Breathing, Circulation
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The primary assessment follows the ABCDE approach: Airway, Breathing,
Circulation, Disability, Exposure.
6. The secondary assessment in PALS includes:
A. Focused history and physical examination
B. SAMPLE history
C. Vital signs
D. All of the above
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The secondary assessment includes a focused history (SAMPLE), physical
examination, and vital signs.
7. SAMPLE history stands for:
A. Signs/Symptoms, Allergies, Medications, Past medical history, Last meal, Events
B. Signs/Symptoms, Airway, Medications, Past medical history, Last meal, Events
C. Signs/Symptoms, Allergies, Medications, Pulse, Last meal, Events
D. Signs/Symptoms, Allergies, Medications, Past medical history, Lung sounds, Events
,Correct Answer: A
Rationale: SAMPLE history includes Signs/Symptoms, Allergies, Medications, Past
medical history, Last meal, and Events leading to the emergency.
8. The normal heart rate for an infant (1-12 months) is:
A. 60-100 bpm
B. 80-120 bpm
C. 100-160 bpm
D. 120-180 bpm
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Normal heart rate for an infant is 100-160 bpm.
9. The normal heart rate for a toddler (1-3 years) is:
A. 60-100 bpm
B. 80-120 bpm
C. 90-150 bpm
D. 100-160 bpm
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Normal heart rate for a toddler is 90-150 bpm.
10. The normal respiratory rate for a newborn is:
A. 20-30 breaths/min
B. 30-40 breaths/min
C. 40-60 breaths/min
D. 60-80 breaths/min
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Normal respiratory rate for a newborn is 40-60 breaths/min.
11. The normal respiratory rate for an infant (1-12 months) is:
A. 20-30 breaths/min
B. 30-40 breaths/min
C. 40-60 breaths/min
D. 60-80 breaths/min
, Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Normal respiratory rate for an infant is 30-40 breaths/min.
12. The normal respiratory rate for a toddler (1-3 years) is:
A. 20-30 breaths/min
B. 30-40 breaths/min
C. 24-40 breaths/min
D. 40-60 breaths/min
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Normal respiratory rate for a toddler is 24-40 breaths/min.
13. Capillary refill time is considered abnormal if it is greater than:
A. 1 second
B. 2 seconds
C. 3 seconds
D. 4 seconds
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Normal capillary refill time is less than 2 seconds. Prolonged capillary refill
(>2 seconds) indicates poor perfusion.
14. The Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) is used to assess:
A. Level of consciousness
B. Respiratory status
C. Cardiac status
D. Neurological status
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The GCS is used to assess level of consciousness.
15. Which of the following is a sign of increased work of breathing?
A. Normal respiratory rate
B. Retractions
C. Clear breath sounds
D. Pink skin color
