AHA PALS EXAM
1. A 5-year-old child presents with lethargy, increased Unreliable; supplementary oxygen should be administered
work of breathing, and pale color. The primary
assessment reveals that the airway is open and the
respiratory rate is 30/min, with crackles heard on
auscultation. The cardiac monitor shows sinus
tachycardia at a rate of 165/min. The pulse oximeter
displays an oxygen saturation of 95% and a pulse rate
of 93/min. On the basis of this information, which of the
following provides the best interpretation of the
oxygen saturation of 95% by pulse oximetry?
A. Reliable; no supplementary oxygen is indicated B.
Reliable; supplementary oxygen should be
administered
C. Unreliable; no supplementary oxygen is indicated
D. Unreliable; supplementary oxygen should be
administered
2. A 3-year-old child was recently diagnosed with Septic shock
leukemia and has been treated with chemotherapy. The
child presents with lethargy and a high fever. Heart rate
is 195/min, respiratory rate is 36/min, blood pressure is
85/40 mm Hg, and capillary refill time is less than 2
seconds. What is the child's most likely condition?
A. Septic shock
B. Hypovolemic shock
C. Significant bradycardia
D. Cardiogenic shock
3. A 2-week-old infant presents with irritability and a Hypotensive
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
4. During a resuscitation attempt, the team leader Respectfully ask the team leader to clarify the dose
orders an initial dose of epinephrine at 0.1 mg/kg to be
given 10. What should the team member do?
A. Administer the drug as ordered
B. Administer 0.01 mg/kg of epinephrine
C. Respectfully ask the team leader to clarify the dose
D. Refuse to administer the drug
, AHA PALS EXAM
5. Which of the following is a characteristic of Inadequate oxygenation and/or ventilation
respiratory failure?
A. Inadequate oxygenation and/or ventilation
B. Hypotension
C. An increase in serum pH (alkalosis)
D. Abnormal respiratory sounds
6. Which of the following is most likely to produce a Lower airway obstruction
prolonged expiratory phase and wheezing?
A. Disordered control of breathing
B. Hypovolemic shock
C. Lower airway obstruction
D. Upper airway obstruction
7. A 4-year-old child presents with seizures and Control of breathing
irregular respirations. The seizures stopped a few
minutes ago. Which of the following most likely to be
abnormal?
A. Vascular resistance
B. Pulse rate
C. Lung compliance
D. Control of breathing
8. What abnormality is most likely to be present in Decreased oxygen saturation
children with acute respiratory distress caused by lung
tissue disease?
A. Decreased oxygen saturation
B. Stridor
C. Normal respiratory rate
D. Decreased respiratory effort
9. An alert 2-year-old child with an increased work of Respiratory distress
breathing and pink color is being evaluated. Heart rate
is 110/min, and respiratory rate is 30/min. What would
best describe this patient's condition? A. Respiratory
distress
B. Respiratory arrest
C. Respiratory failure
D. Disordered control of breathing
10. The parents of a 7-year-old child who is undergoing Obtain vascular access and administer 20 mL/kg of isotonic crystalloid over 5
chemotherapy report that the child has been febrile to 10 minutes
and has not been feeling well, with recent onset of
lethargy. Assessment reveals the following: The child is
difficult to arouse, with pale color. The child's heart rate
is 160/min, respiratory rate is 30/min, blood pressure is
76/45 mm Hg, capillary refill time is 5 to 6 seconds, and
temperature is 103°F (39.4°C). What is the most
appropriate intervention?
A. Obtain vascular access and administer 20 mL/kg of
isotonic crystalloid over 30 minutes
B. Obtain vascular access and administer 20 mL/kg of
isotonic crystalloid over 5 to 10 minutes
C. Obtain immediate blood cultures and chest x-ray D.
Obtain expert consultation with an oncologist to
determine the chemotherapeutic regimen
1. A 5-year-old child presents with lethargy, increased Unreliable; supplementary oxygen should be administered
work of breathing, and pale color. The primary
assessment reveals that the airway is open and the
respiratory rate is 30/min, with crackles heard on
auscultation. The cardiac monitor shows sinus
tachycardia at a rate of 165/min. The pulse oximeter
displays an oxygen saturation of 95% and a pulse rate
of 93/min. On the basis of this information, which of the
following provides the best interpretation of the
oxygen saturation of 95% by pulse oximetry?
A. Reliable; no supplementary oxygen is indicated B.
Reliable; supplementary oxygen should be
administered
C. Unreliable; no supplementary oxygen is indicated
D. Unreliable; supplementary oxygen should be
administered
2. A 3-year-old child was recently diagnosed with Septic shock
leukemia and has been treated with chemotherapy. The
child presents with lethargy and a high fever. Heart rate
is 195/min, respiratory rate is 36/min, blood pressure is
85/40 mm Hg, and capillary refill time is less than 2
seconds. What is the child's most likely condition?
A. Septic shock
B. Hypovolemic shock
C. Significant bradycardia
D. Cardiogenic shock
3. A 2-week-old infant presents with irritability and a Hypotensive
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
4. During a resuscitation attempt, the team leader Respectfully ask the team leader to clarify the dose
orders an initial dose of epinephrine at 0.1 mg/kg to be
given 10. What should the team member do?
A. Administer the drug as ordered
B. Administer 0.01 mg/kg of epinephrine
C. Respectfully ask the team leader to clarify the dose
D. Refuse to administer the drug
, AHA PALS EXAM
5. Which of the following is a characteristic of Inadequate oxygenation and/or ventilation
respiratory failure?
A. Inadequate oxygenation and/or ventilation
B. Hypotension
C. An increase in serum pH (alkalosis)
D. Abnormal respiratory sounds
6. Which of the following is most likely to produce a Lower airway obstruction
prolonged expiratory phase and wheezing?
A. Disordered control of breathing
B. Hypovolemic shock
C. Lower airway obstruction
D. Upper airway obstruction
7. A 4-year-old child presents with seizures and Control of breathing
irregular respirations. The seizures stopped a few
minutes ago. Which of the following most likely to be
abnormal?
A. Vascular resistance
B. Pulse rate
C. Lung compliance
D. Control of breathing
8. What abnormality is most likely to be present in Decreased oxygen saturation
children with acute respiratory distress caused by lung
tissue disease?
A. Decreased oxygen saturation
B. Stridor
C. Normal respiratory rate
D. Decreased respiratory effort
9. An alert 2-year-old child with an increased work of Respiratory distress
breathing and pink color is being evaluated. Heart rate
is 110/min, and respiratory rate is 30/min. What would
best describe this patient's condition? A. Respiratory
distress
B. Respiratory arrest
C. Respiratory failure
D. Disordered control of breathing
10. The parents of a 7-year-old child who is undergoing Obtain vascular access and administer 20 mL/kg of isotonic crystalloid over 5
chemotherapy report that the child has been febrile to 10 minutes
and has not been feeling well, with recent onset of
lethargy. Assessment reveals the following: The child is
difficult to arouse, with pale color. The child's heart rate
is 160/min, respiratory rate is 30/min, blood pressure is
76/45 mm Hg, capillary refill time is 5 to 6 seconds, and
temperature is 103°F (39.4°C). What is the most
appropriate intervention?
A. Obtain vascular access and administer 20 mL/kg of
isotonic crystalloid over 30 minutes
B. Obtain vascular access and administer 20 mL/kg of
isotonic crystalloid over 5 to 10 minutes
C. Obtain immediate blood cultures and chest x-ray D.
Obtain expert consultation with an oncologist to
determine the chemotherapeutic regimen
