PALS RED CROSS FINAL EXAM COMPREHENSIVE
ACADEMIC STUDY GUIDE WITH VERIFIED CONCEPTS
AND EXAM-FOCUSED EXPLANATIONS 2025–2026
A 5-year-old child with a history of a chronic neuromuscular disease is experiencing respiratory
distress. The child is breathing spontaneously and receiving supplemental oxygen. Which
additional intervention is a critical component of airway management for this patient? - correct
answer -Airway clearance (e.g., suctioning)
A child being cared for in the pediatric telemetry unit suddenly displays the following ECG
waveform. The provider prepares to intervene because the child is demonstrating which type of
arrhythmia? - correct answer -Supraventricular tachycardia
A child in cardiac arrest experiences return of spontaneous circulation but is exhibiting signs of
post-cardiac arrest syndrome (PCAS). The PALS resuscitation team determines that the child is
experiencing a systemic response to ischemia/reperfusion. The team bases this determination
on which finding(s)? - correct answer -Hypotension, fever, hyperglycemia
An 11-year-old soccer player is brought to the emergency department. After a quick
assessment, the team realizes this patient is experiencing a severe asthma exacerbation. Which
medication would the team administer immediately? - correct answer -Albuterol with or
without ipratropium bromide
After ROSC, a child is experiencing post-cardiac arrest hypoperfusion. The PALS resuscitation
team would administer which element to restore intravascular volume and optimize preload? -
correct answer -Isotonic fluid boluses
, A 2-year-old child of unknown weight arrives at the emergency department in cardiac arrest.
When preparing to administer medications, which action would be appropriate for the team to
take? - correct answer -Estimate weight using a length-based resuscitation tape.
A 4-year-old child is brought to the emergency department by the parents. Assessment reveals
that the child has only gasping respirations and the pulse rate is 65 beats per minute. Which
action would the provider initiate first? - correct answer -Deliver 1 BVM ventilation every 2 to 3
seconds.
The PALS team leader is conducting a debriefing session with the team. Which topic(s) would
the team leader most likely address during the session? - correct answer -Discussion of the pros
and cons of the interventions
Evaluation of the objective data gathered during the event, Summary of the event, including
what actions were taken, Identification of ways to improve
The PALS resuscitation team notes the following ECG waveform and the child does not have a
pulse. The team prepares to intervene to address which arrhythmia? - correct answer -Torsades
de pointes
What is the correct IV/IO dose of epinephrine for a pediatric patient in cardiac arrest? - correct
answer -0.01 mg/kg every 3 to 5 min (max single dose 1 mg)
Assessment of a 3-month-old infant admitted with respiratory distress reveals fever, grunting
and a wet, "junky" cough. The infant's parents said the child had a recent respiratory infection
with a fever. A rapid respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) test is positive. Which condition would the
provider most likely suspect as the cause? - correct answer -Bronchiolitis
A child is experiencing supraventricular tachycardia (SVT) with adequate perfusion and is to
receive treatment. Which initial treatment would the provider administer? - correct answer -
Vagal maneuvers
ACADEMIC STUDY GUIDE WITH VERIFIED CONCEPTS
AND EXAM-FOCUSED EXPLANATIONS 2025–2026
A 5-year-old child with a history of a chronic neuromuscular disease is experiencing respiratory
distress. The child is breathing spontaneously and receiving supplemental oxygen. Which
additional intervention is a critical component of airway management for this patient? - correct
answer -Airway clearance (e.g., suctioning)
A child being cared for in the pediatric telemetry unit suddenly displays the following ECG
waveform. The provider prepares to intervene because the child is demonstrating which type of
arrhythmia? - correct answer -Supraventricular tachycardia
A child in cardiac arrest experiences return of spontaneous circulation but is exhibiting signs of
post-cardiac arrest syndrome (PCAS). The PALS resuscitation team determines that the child is
experiencing a systemic response to ischemia/reperfusion. The team bases this determination
on which finding(s)? - correct answer -Hypotension, fever, hyperglycemia
An 11-year-old soccer player is brought to the emergency department. After a quick
assessment, the team realizes this patient is experiencing a severe asthma exacerbation. Which
medication would the team administer immediately? - correct answer -Albuterol with or
without ipratropium bromide
After ROSC, a child is experiencing post-cardiac arrest hypoperfusion. The PALS resuscitation
team would administer which element to restore intravascular volume and optimize preload? -
correct answer -Isotonic fluid boluses
, A 2-year-old child of unknown weight arrives at the emergency department in cardiac arrest.
When preparing to administer medications, which action would be appropriate for the team to
take? - correct answer -Estimate weight using a length-based resuscitation tape.
A 4-year-old child is brought to the emergency department by the parents. Assessment reveals
that the child has only gasping respirations and the pulse rate is 65 beats per minute. Which
action would the provider initiate first? - correct answer -Deliver 1 BVM ventilation every 2 to 3
seconds.
The PALS team leader is conducting a debriefing session with the team. Which topic(s) would
the team leader most likely address during the session? - correct answer -Discussion of the pros
and cons of the interventions
Evaluation of the objective data gathered during the event, Summary of the event, including
what actions were taken, Identification of ways to improve
The PALS resuscitation team notes the following ECG waveform and the child does not have a
pulse. The team prepares to intervene to address which arrhythmia? - correct answer -Torsades
de pointes
What is the correct IV/IO dose of epinephrine for a pediatric patient in cardiac arrest? - correct
answer -0.01 mg/kg every 3 to 5 min (max single dose 1 mg)
Assessment of a 3-month-old infant admitted with respiratory distress reveals fever, grunting
and a wet, "junky" cough. The infant's parents said the child had a recent respiratory infection
with a fever. A rapid respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) test is positive. Which condition would the
provider most likely suspect as the cause? - correct answer -Bronchiolitis
A child is experiencing supraventricular tachycardia (SVT) with adequate perfusion and is to
receive treatment. Which initial treatment would the provider administer? - correct answer -
Vagal maneuvers
