PALS Test Questions and Correct Answers
(Verified Answers) Plus Rationale 2027
Q&A| Instant Download Pdf
1. A 7-year-old child is found unresponsive and is not breathing
normally. What is the immediate priority?
A. Obtain a 12-lead ECG
B. Establish IV access
C. Begin high-quality CPR
D. Administer atropine
Rationale: In a child who is unresponsive and not breathing normally,
immediate CPR is essential. Delaying compressions for IV access, ECG
acquisition, or medications reduces the likelihood of successful
resuscitation.
2. What is the recommended chest-compression rate during
pediatric CPR?
,A. 60–80/min
B. 80–100/min
C. 100–120/min
D. 120–140/min
Rationale: High-quality pediatric CPR requires chest compressions at a
rate of 100–120 compressions per minute. This rate supports
adequate coronary and cerebral perfusion while limiting excessive
compression rates that can reduce compression depth and
effectiveness.
3. During pediatric CPR, chest compressions should generally
depress the chest by at least:
A. 1 cm
B. 2 cm
C. One-third of the anterior-posterior diameter of the chest
D. One-half of the anterior-posterior diameter of the chest
Rationale: Pediatric CPR requires compressions deep enough to
produce effective blood flow while avoiding excessive force. The
recommended depth is at least one-third of the chest's anterior-
posterior diameter.
, 4. Two healthcare professionals are performing CPR on a
prepubertal child without an advanced airway. What
compression-to-ventilation ratio should they use?
A. 5:1
B. 15:2
C. 15:2
D. 30:2
Rationale: For two rescuers performing CPR on an infant or child
before puberty, the recommended compression-to-ventilation ratio is
15:2. A 30:2 ratio is used for single-rescuer CPR or when treating a
patient after the onset of puberty.
5. A child has a pulse but is not breathing adequately. What
ventilation rate is appropriate?
A. 1 breath every 10 seconds
B. 1 breath every 5–6 seconds
C. 1 breath every 2–3 seconds
D. 1 breath every 1 second
Rationale: A child with a pulse but inadequate breathing requires
assisted ventilation. The 2025 pediatric BLS guidance recommends
approximately 20–30 breaths per minute, equivalent to one breath
every 2–3 seconds.
, 6. Which finding most strongly indicates that CPR should be initiated
in a child with a pulse check?
A. Heart rate of 90/min with normal perfusion
B. Heart rate of 70/min with normal breathing
C. Heart rate below 60/min with signs of poor perfusion despite
effective oxygenation and ventilation
D. Heart rate of 110/min with cool extremities
Rationale: Severe bradycardia below 60/min accompanied by poor
perfusion despite adequate oxygenation and ventilation is treated as
a critical condition requiring CPR. The focus is on perfusion and
response to effective ventilation, not heart rate alone.
7. Which cardiac rhythms are considered shockable during pediatric
cardiac arrest?
A. Asystole and PEA
B. Sinus bradycardia and asystole
C. Ventricular fibrillation and pulseless ventricular tachycardia
D. Sinus tachycardia and supraventricular tachycardia
Rationale: Ventricular fibrillation (VF) and pulseless ventricular
tachycardia (pVT) are shockable rhythms. Asystole and pulseless
electrical activity (PEA) are treated with CPR and epinephrine rather
than defibrillation.
(Verified Answers) Plus Rationale 2027
Q&A| Instant Download Pdf
1. A 7-year-old child is found unresponsive and is not breathing
normally. What is the immediate priority?
A. Obtain a 12-lead ECG
B. Establish IV access
C. Begin high-quality CPR
D. Administer atropine
Rationale: In a child who is unresponsive and not breathing normally,
immediate CPR is essential. Delaying compressions for IV access, ECG
acquisition, or medications reduces the likelihood of successful
resuscitation.
2. What is the recommended chest-compression rate during
pediatric CPR?
,A. 60–80/min
B. 80–100/min
C. 100–120/min
D. 120–140/min
Rationale: High-quality pediatric CPR requires chest compressions at a
rate of 100–120 compressions per minute. This rate supports
adequate coronary and cerebral perfusion while limiting excessive
compression rates that can reduce compression depth and
effectiveness.
3. During pediatric CPR, chest compressions should generally
depress the chest by at least:
A. 1 cm
B. 2 cm
C. One-third of the anterior-posterior diameter of the chest
D. One-half of the anterior-posterior diameter of the chest
Rationale: Pediatric CPR requires compressions deep enough to
produce effective blood flow while avoiding excessive force. The
recommended depth is at least one-third of the chest's anterior-
posterior diameter.
, 4. Two healthcare professionals are performing CPR on a
prepubertal child without an advanced airway. What
compression-to-ventilation ratio should they use?
A. 5:1
B. 15:2
C. 15:2
D. 30:2
Rationale: For two rescuers performing CPR on an infant or child
before puberty, the recommended compression-to-ventilation ratio is
15:2. A 30:2 ratio is used for single-rescuer CPR or when treating a
patient after the onset of puberty.
5. A child has a pulse but is not breathing adequately. What
ventilation rate is appropriate?
A. 1 breath every 10 seconds
B. 1 breath every 5–6 seconds
C. 1 breath every 2–3 seconds
D. 1 breath every 1 second
Rationale: A child with a pulse but inadequate breathing requires
assisted ventilation. The 2025 pediatric BLS guidance recommends
approximately 20–30 breaths per minute, equivalent to one breath
every 2–3 seconds.
, 6. Which finding most strongly indicates that CPR should be initiated
in a child with a pulse check?
A. Heart rate of 90/min with normal perfusion
B. Heart rate of 70/min with normal breathing
C. Heart rate below 60/min with signs of poor perfusion despite
effective oxygenation and ventilation
D. Heart rate of 110/min with cool extremities
Rationale: Severe bradycardia below 60/min accompanied by poor
perfusion despite adequate oxygenation and ventilation is treated as
a critical condition requiring CPR. The focus is on perfusion and
response to effective ventilation, not heart rate alone.
7. Which cardiac rhythms are considered shockable during pediatric
cardiac arrest?
A. Asystole and PEA
B. Sinus bradycardia and asystole
C. Ventricular fibrillation and pulseless ventricular tachycardia
D. Sinus tachycardia and supraventricular tachycardia
Rationale: Ventricular fibrillation (VF) and pulseless ventricular
tachycardia (pVT) are shockable rhythms. Asystole and pulseless
electrical activity (PEA) are treated with CPR and epinephrine rather
than defibrillation.
