RQI PALS Entry (Latest 2025–2026)
Questions With Complete Grade A+
Answers
1. What is the primary goal of Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS)?
Answer: The primary goal of PALS is to recognize and prevent cardiopulmonary
arrest in infants and children through early intervention and to provide effective,
high-quality resuscitation to improve outcomes from respiratory and
cardiovascular emergencies.
2. Define the core "Assess-Categorize-Decide-Act" model used in PALS.
Answer: It is a continuous, systematic approach:
• Assess: Quickly and efficiently evaluate the patient using a primary and
secondary assessment.
• Categorize: Identify the patient's clinical state (e.g., Respiratory Distress,
Respiratory Failure, Compensated Shock, Decompensated Shock, Cardiac
Arrest).
• Decide: Choose the appropriate interventions based on the clinical
categorization.
• Act: Implement the chosen interventions promptly.
3. What are the key components of the PALS Primary Assessment,
summarized by the acronym ABCDE?
Answer:
• Airway: Assess for patency.
• Breathing: Evaluate rate, effort, and efficacy.
• Circulation: Check heart rate, pulses, capillary refill, and skin signs.
• Disability: Determine level of consciousness (e.g., AVPU) and pupillary
response.
, • Exposure: Fully expose the patient to identify hidden problems while
preventing hypothermia.
4. During the primary assessment, you find an unresponsive child who is not
breathing. What is your immediate next action?
Answer: Check for a pulse. Do not assume cardiac arrest; check for a pulse for no
more than 10 seconds. If no pulse or you are unsure, begin high-quality CPR.
5. What is the purpose of the PALS Secondary Assessment?
Answer: The secondary assessment is a head-to-toe physical exam and a thorough
patient history (using SAMPLE) to identify the underlying cause of the illness or
injury and gather more detailed information.
6. What does the SAMPLE history acronym stand for?
Answer:
• Signs and Symptoms
• Allergies
• Medications
• Past medical history
• Last oral intake
• Events leading to the illness or injury
7. What is the difference between Respiratory Distress and Respiratory
Failure?
Answer:
• Respiratory Distress: Increased work of breathing but with adequate gas
exchange (e.g., patient is still compensating). The child may have tachypnea,
retractions, or nasal flaring but maintains mental status and perfusion.
• Respiratory Failure: Inadequate ventilation or oxygenation leading to
hypoxemia and/or hypercarbia. This is a clinical state of impending or actual
arrest, often indicated by altered mental status, cyanosis, or bradypnea.
Questions With Complete Grade A+
Answers
1. What is the primary goal of Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS)?
Answer: The primary goal of PALS is to recognize and prevent cardiopulmonary
arrest in infants and children through early intervention and to provide effective,
high-quality resuscitation to improve outcomes from respiratory and
cardiovascular emergencies.
2. Define the core "Assess-Categorize-Decide-Act" model used in PALS.
Answer: It is a continuous, systematic approach:
• Assess: Quickly and efficiently evaluate the patient using a primary and
secondary assessment.
• Categorize: Identify the patient's clinical state (e.g., Respiratory Distress,
Respiratory Failure, Compensated Shock, Decompensated Shock, Cardiac
Arrest).
• Decide: Choose the appropriate interventions based on the clinical
categorization.
• Act: Implement the chosen interventions promptly.
3. What are the key components of the PALS Primary Assessment,
summarized by the acronym ABCDE?
Answer:
• Airway: Assess for patency.
• Breathing: Evaluate rate, effort, and efficacy.
• Circulation: Check heart rate, pulses, capillary refill, and skin signs.
• Disability: Determine level of consciousness (e.g., AVPU) and pupillary
response.
, • Exposure: Fully expose the patient to identify hidden problems while
preventing hypothermia.
4. During the primary assessment, you find an unresponsive child who is not
breathing. What is your immediate next action?
Answer: Check for a pulse. Do not assume cardiac arrest; check for a pulse for no
more than 10 seconds. If no pulse or you are unsure, begin high-quality CPR.
5. What is the purpose of the PALS Secondary Assessment?
Answer: The secondary assessment is a head-to-toe physical exam and a thorough
patient history (using SAMPLE) to identify the underlying cause of the illness or
injury and gather more detailed information.
6. What does the SAMPLE history acronym stand for?
Answer:
• Signs and Symptoms
• Allergies
• Medications
• Past medical history
• Last oral intake
• Events leading to the illness or injury
7. What is the difference between Respiratory Distress and Respiratory
Failure?
Answer:
• Respiratory Distress: Increased work of breathing but with adequate gas
exchange (e.g., patient is still compensating). The child may have tachypnea,
retractions, or nasal flaring but maintains mental status and perfusion.
• Respiratory Failure: Inadequate ventilation or oxygenation leading to
hypoxemia and/or hypercarbia. This is a clinical state of impending or actual
arrest, often indicated by altered mental status, cyanosis, or bradypnea.
