PALS FINAL EXAM QUESTIONS AND
ANSWERS 2026/2027 QUESTIONS AND
ANSWERS
1. A 4-year-old child presents with a barking cough and stridor at rest. Which medication is
most appropriate as an immediate intervention for severe croup?
A. Albuterol nebulizer
B. Intravenous antibiotics
C. Oral Ibuprofen
D. Nebulized epinephrine
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: Nebulized epinephrine is indicated for severe croup (stridor at
rest) to decrease mucosal edema and provide rapid symptom relief.
2. When performing CPR on an infant with two providers, what is the correct compression-to-
ventilation ratio?
A. 30:2
B. 15:1
,C. 15:2
D. 3:1
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: For two-provider pediatric CPR (infants and children), the
recommended ratio is 15 compressions to 2 ventilations.
3. In a pediatric patient with bradycardia and a pulse, at what heart rate threshold should you
initiate CPR if poor perfusion persists despite oxygenation and ventilation?
A. Less than 60 bpm
B. Less than 100 bpm
C. Less than 80 bpm
D. Less than 40 bpm
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: PALS guidelines state that CPR should be started if the heart rate
is less than 60 bpm with signs of poor perfusion despite adequate oxygenation and
ventilation.
4. What is the initial energy dose for defibrillation in a pediatric patient with ventricular
fibrillation?
A. 0.5 J/kg
B. 2 J/kg
, C. 4 J/kg
D. 10 J/kg
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: The initial defibrillation dose for pediatric cardiac arrest
(VF/pVT) is 2 J/kg.
5. Which of the following is a sign of ‘disordered control of breathing’ rather than lung tissue
disease?
A. Crackles on auscultation
B. Variable respiratory rate and effort
C. Grunting
D. Decreased breath sounds throughout
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: Disordered control of breathing is characterized by abnormal
respiratory patterns, such as variable rate or effort, often due to neurological issues or
toxins.
6. A 10kg child requires a fluid bolus for hypovolemic shock. What is the standard volume for
the first bolus?
A. 100 mL
B. 50 mL
ANSWERS 2026/2027 QUESTIONS AND
ANSWERS
1. A 4-year-old child presents with a barking cough and stridor at rest. Which medication is
most appropriate as an immediate intervention for severe croup?
A. Albuterol nebulizer
B. Intravenous antibiotics
C. Oral Ibuprofen
D. Nebulized epinephrine
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: Nebulized epinephrine is indicated for severe croup (stridor at
rest) to decrease mucosal edema and provide rapid symptom relief.
2. When performing CPR on an infant with two providers, what is the correct compression-to-
ventilation ratio?
A. 30:2
B. 15:1
,C. 15:2
D. 3:1
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: For two-provider pediatric CPR (infants and children), the
recommended ratio is 15 compressions to 2 ventilations.
3. In a pediatric patient with bradycardia and a pulse, at what heart rate threshold should you
initiate CPR if poor perfusion persists despite oxygenation and ventilation?
A. Less than 60 bpm
B. Less than 100 bpm
C. Less than 80 bpm
D. Less than 40 bpm
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: PALS guidelines state that CPR should be started if the heart rate
is less than 60 bpm with signs of poor perfusion despite adequate oxygenation and
ventilation.
4. What is the initial energy dose for defibrillation in a pediatric patient with ventricular
fibrillation?
A. 0.5 J/kg
B. 2 J/kg
, C. 4 J/kg
D. 10 J/kg
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: The initial defibrillation dose for pediatric cardiac arrest
(VF/pVT) is 2 J/kg.
5. Which of the following is a sign of ‘disordered control of breathing’ rather than lung tissue
disease?
A. Crackles on auscultation
B. Variable respiratory rate and effort
C. Grunting
D. Decreased breath sounds throughout
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: Disordered control of breathing is characterized by abnormal
respiratory patterns, such as variable rate or effort, often due to neurological issues or
toxins.
6. A 10kg child requires a fluid bolus for hypovolemic shock. What is the standard volume for
the first bolus?
A. 100 mL
B. 50 mL
