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AHA PALS PRACTICE EXAM 100+ Questions with Answers
& Rationales
SECTION 1: PEDIATRIC ASSESSMENT & RECOGNITION
1. In the PALS systematic approach, the first step is:
A. Evaluate the child's color
B. Check responsiveness and breathing
C. Attach a cardiac monitor
D. Obtain IV access
Answer: B
Rationale: The systematic approach begins with checking
responsiveness (alert, voice, pain, unresponsive) and breathing.
2. A child who is awake and alert with normal breathing but has
fever is classified as:
A. Respiratory failure
B. Compensated shock
C. No respiratory distress
D. Cardiac arrest
Answer: C
Rationale: Awake, alert, normal breathing = no respiratory
distress.
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3. Which of the following is a sign of respiratory distress in a
child?
A. Slow, irregular breathing
B. Nasal flaring, retractions, and tachypnea
C. Normal breath sounds
D. Pink skin
Answer: B
Rationale: Respiratory distress signs include tachypnea, nasal
flaring, retractions, and grunting.
4. A child with bradypnea, decreased level of consciousness,
and cyanosis is in:
A. Respiratory distress
B. Respiratory failure
C. Compensated shock
D. No distress
Answer: B
Rationale: Bradypnea, decreased LOC, and cyanosis indicate
respiratory failure.
5. The normal resting respiratory rate for an infant is:
A. 12–20 breaths/min
B. 30–60 breaths/min
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C. 20–30 breaths/min
D. 60–80 breaths/min
Answer: B
Rationale: Normal infant respiratory rate is 30–60 breaths/min.
6. The normal resting heart rate for a school-age child (6–10
years) is:
A. 60–100 bpm
B. 75–120 bpm
C. 100–150 bpm
D. 40–60 bpm
Answer: B
Rationale: Normal heart rate for school-age children is
approximately 75–120 bpm.
7. Hypotension in a child is defined as systolic blood pressure
below the 5th percentile for age. For a 5-year-old, hypotension
is a systolic BP less than:
A. 70 mmHg
B. 90 mmHg
C. 100 mmHg
D. 60 mmHg
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Answer: B
Rationale: For children 1–10 years, hypotension is systolic BP <
70 + (2 × age). For age 5: 70 + 10 = 80? Actually formula: lower
limit systolic = 70 + (2 × age). 5 yr: 80 mmHg. But options: 90?
Hmm. AHA PALS uses 70 + (2 × age) for 1-10 years. So 5-year-old
hypotensive <80. But options don't have 80. We'll adjust. Let's
maybe ask infant: infant <70. We'll choose A maybe 70. Better
avoid. Could do: For a 3-year-old, hypotension is SBP less than:
70+(2×3)=76. Not options. Maybe use newborn <60. We'll
change question to infant.
Let's edit question 7: "Hypotension in an infant is defined as
systolic BP less than: A. 70 mmHg B. 80 C. 90 D. 60." Answer A
70. We'll do.
7. Hypotension in an infant (1 month–1 year) is defined as
systolic blood pressure less than:
A. 70 mmHg
B. 80 mmHg
C. 90 mmHg
D. 60 mmHg
Answer: A
Rationale: For infants, hypotension is systolic BP < 70 mmHg.
AHA PALS PRACTICE EXAM 100+ Questions with Answers
& Rationales
SECTION 1: PEDIATRIC ASSESSMENT & RECOGNITION
1. In the PALS systematic approach, the first step is:
A. Evaluate the child's color
B. Check responsiveness and breathing
C. Attach a cardiac monitor
D. Obtain IV access
Answer: B
Rationale: The systematic approach begins with checking
responsiveness (alert, voice, pain, unresponsive) and breathing.
2. A child who is awake and alert with normal breathing but has
fever is classified as:
A. Respiratory failure
B. Compensated shock
C. No respiratory distress
D. Cardiac arrest
Answer: C
Rationale: Awake, alert, normal breathing = no respiratory
distress.
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3. Which of the following is a sign of respiratory distress in a
child?
A. Slow, irregular breathing
B. Nasal flaring, retractions, and tachypnea
C. Normal breath sounds
D. Pink skin
Answer: B
Rationale: Respiratory distress signs include tachypnea, nasal
flaring, retractions, and grunting.
4. A child with bradypnea, decreased level of consciousness,
and cyanosis is in:
A. Respiratory distress
B. Respiratory failure
C. Compensated shock
D. No distress
Answer: B
Rationale: Bradypnea, decreased LOC, and cyanosis indicate
respiratory failure.
5. The normal resting respiratory rate for an infant is:
A. 12–20 breaths/min
B. 30–60 breaths/min
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C. 20–30 breaths/min
D. 60–80 breaths/min
Answer: B
Rationale: Normal infant respiratory rate is 30–60 breaths/min.
6. The normal resting heart rate for a school-age child (6–10
years) is:
A. 60–100 bpm
B. 75–120 bpm
C. 100–150 bpm
D. 40–60 bpm
Answer: B
Rationale: Normal heart rate for school-age children is
approximately 75–120 bpm.
7. Hypotension in a child is defined as systolic blood pressure
below the 5th percentile for age. For a 5-year-old, hypotension
is a systolic BP less than:
A. 70 mmHg
B. 90 mmHg
C. 100 mmHg
D. 60 mmHg
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Answer: B
Rationale: For children 1–10 years, hypotension is systolic BP <
70 + (2 × age). For age 5: 70 + 10 = 80? Actually formula: lower
limit systolic = 70 + (2 × age). 5 yr: 80 mmHg. But options: 90?
Hmm. AHA PALS uses 70 + (2 × age) for 1-10 years. So 5-year-old
hypotensive <80. But options don't have 80. We'll adjust. Let's
maybe ask infant: infant <70. We'll choose A maybe 70. Better
avoid. Could do: For a 3-year-old, hypotension is SBP less than:
70+(2×3)=76. Not options. Maybe use newborn <60. We'll
change question to infant.
Let's edit question 7: "Hypotension in an infant is defined as
systolic BP less than: A. 70 mmHg B. 80 C. 90 D. 60." Answer A
70. We'll do.
7. Hypotension in an infant (1 month–1 year) is defined as
systolic blood pressure less than:
A. 70 mmHg
B. 80 mmHg
C. 90 mmHg
D. 60 mmHg
Answer: A
Rationale: For infants, hypotension is systolic BP < 70 mmHg.
