Heartcode PALS Exam 2025 Pals
Heartcode Exam 2025 Questions and
Correct Answers Rated A+
What are common causes cardiogenic shock? -ANSWER--
Congenital heart disease
-Myocarditis
-Drug toxicity
-Arrhythmias
What are causes of cardiac tamponade in children? -ANSWER--
Penetrating trauma
-Cardiac surgery
-Infection of the percardium
In the setting of impending or actual pulseless arrest when there
is a strong suspicion of pericardial tamponade, what is the
appropriate management? -ANSWER-Emergency
pericardiocentesis
Pulmonary embolisms are ____ in children. -ANSWER-Rare
What is definitive treatment for most children with pulmonary
embolism who are not in shock? -ANSWER-Anticoagulants
In children with severe cardiovascular compromise from
pulmonary embolism, what treatment should be considered? -
ANSWER-Fibrinolytic agents
,What findings help distinguish pulmonary embolism from
hypovolemic shock? -ANSWER-Systemic venous congestion and
right heart failure
What circulation findings are specific to pericardial tamponade? -
ANSWER--Tachycardia
-Narrowed pulse pressures
-Muffled or diminished heart sounds
The child is awake, responsive and anxious. Her initial vitals signs
are HR 168/min, BP 61/43 mm Hg, RR 44/min, SpO2 66%.
What is the initial priority in treatment for this patient? -ANSWER-
Administer oxygen (nonrebreating mask)
Based on the child's blood pressure, what type of shock is the
patient in? -ANSWER-Hypotensive
Auscultating the patient's lungs demonstrates clear lung sounds
on the left but absent lung sounds on the right.
What is the most likely diagnosis for this patient? -ANSWER-
Tension pneumothorax
Treatment for tension pneumothorax should not be delayed.
Based on the child's assessment, what immediate intervention
should be performed? -ANSWER-Needle decompression
,Where should the needle be inserted for proper needle
decompression? -ANSWER-Right side of the chest, over the third
rib (second intercostal space) in the midclavicular line
Needle decompression is performed on the patient. As the needle
is inserted, there is a rush of air coming from the hub of the
needle. Vital signs are reassessed and are now Hr 134/min, BP
70/40 mm Hg and SpO2 82%. The patient still has labored
breathing. Her SpO2 does not go above 82%; lung sounds are
more present but are still diminished on the right side.
Which of the following interventions is the most incorporate to do
next? -ANSWER-Performs a thoracostomy for chest tube
placement
After the chest tube is inserted, the patient's breathing and
oxygenation are improved. Her vital signs are HR 98/min, BP
108/72 mm Hg, RR 18/min, SpO2 98%.
How should proper chest tube placement be confirmed? -
ANSWER-Obtain a chest x-ray
What is the leading cause of symptomatic bradycardia in
children? -ANSWER-Tissue hypoxia
How is bradycardia defined in pediatric patients? -ANSWER-A
heart rate that is slow in comparison with a normal heart rate
range for the child's age, level of activity and clinical condition.
, What causes primary bradycardia? -ANSWER-Congenital or
acquired heart conditions
Whenever a child has an abnormal heart rate of rhythm, what
must be done quickly? -ANSWER-Determine if the arrhythmia is
causing hemodynamic instability or other signs of deterioration.
What is the priority in initially managing arrhythmias? -ANSWER-
Support the airway, breathing and circulation
What are the causes of secondary bradycardia? -ANSWER--
Hypoxia
-Acidosis
-Hypotension
-Hypothermia
-Drugs
What are the electrocardiographic characteristics of bradycardia?
-ANSWER--Heart rate slow compared with normal heart rate for
age
-P wave and QRS complex may be unrelrated
-QRS complex may be narrow or wide
What is a THIRD-degree atrioventricular block? -ANSWER-None
of the atrial impulses conduct to the ventricles
What is a FIRST-degree atrioventricular block -ANSWER-A
prolonged PR interval representing slowed conduction through
the atrioventricular node
Heartcode Exam 2025 Questions and
Correct Answers Rated A+
What are common causes cardiogenic shock? -ANSWER--
Congenital heart disease
-Myocarditis
-Drug toxicity
-Arrhythmias
What are causes of cardiac tamponade in children? -ANSWER--
Penetrating trauma
-Cardiac surgery
-Infection of the percardium
In the setting of impending or actual pulseless arrest when there
is a strong suspicion of pericardial tamponade, what is the
appropriate management? -ANSWER-Emergency
pericardiocentesis
Pulmonary embolisms are ____ in children. -ANSWER-Rare
What is definitive treatment for most children with pulmonary
embolism who are not in shock? -ANSWER-Anticoagulants
In children with severe cardiovascular compromise from
pulmonary embolism, what treatment should be considered? -
ANSWER-Fibrinolytic agents
,What findings help distinguish pulmonary embolism from
hypovolemic shock? -ANSWER-Systemic venous congestion and
right heart failure
What circulation findings are specific to pericardial tamponade? -
ANSWER--Tachycardia
-Narrowed pulse pressures
-Muffled or diminished heart sounds
The child is awake, responsive and anxious. Her initial vitals signs
are HR 168/min, BP 61/43 mm Hg, RR 44/min, SpO2 66%.
What is the initial priority in treatment for this patient? -ANSWER-
Administer oxygen (nonrebreating mask)
Based on the child's blood pressure, what type of shock is the
patient in? -ANSWER-Hypotensive
Auscultating the patient's lungs demonstrates clear lung sounds
on the left but absent lung sounds on the right.
What is the most likely diagnosis for this patient? -ANSWER-
Tension pneumothorax
Treatment for tension pneumothorax should not be delayed.
Based on the child's assessment, what immediate intervention
should be performed? -ANSWER-Needle decompression
,Where should the needle be inserted for proper needle
decompression? -ANSWER-Right side of the chest, over the third
rib (second intercostal space) in the midclavicular line
Needle decompression is performed on the patient. As the needle
is inserted, there is a rush of air coming from the hub of the
needle. Vital signs are reassessed and are now Hr 134/min, BP
70/40 mm Hg and SpO2 82%. The patient still has labored
breathing. Her SpO2 does not go above 82%; lung sounds are
more present but are still diminished on the right side.
Which of the following interventions is the most incorporate to do
next? -ANSWER-Performs a thoracostomy for chest tube
placement
After the chest tube is inserted, the patient's breathing and
oxygenation are improved. Her vital signs are HR 98/min, BP
108/72 mm Hg, RR 18/min, SpO2 98%.
How should proper chest tube placement be confirmed? -
ANSWER-Obtain a chest x-ray
What is the leading cause of symptomatic bradycardia in
children? -ANSWER-Tissue hypoxia
How is bradycardia defined in pediatric patients? -ANSWER-A
heart rate that is slow in comparison with a normal heart rate
range for the child's age, level of activity and clinical condition.
, What causes primary bradycardia? -ANSWER-Congenital or
acquired heart conditions
Whenever a child has an abnormal heart rate of rhythm, what
must be done quickly? -ANSWER-Determine if the arrhythmia is
causing hemodynamic instability or other signs of deterioration.
What is the priority in initially managing arrhythmias? -ANSWER-
Support the airway, breathing and circulation
What are the causes of secondary bradycardia? -ANSWER--
Hypoxia
-Acidosis
-Hypotension
-Hypothermia
-Drugs
What are the electrocardiographic characteristics of bradycardia?
-ANSWER--Heart rate slow compared with normal heart rate for
age
-P wave and QRS complex may be unrelrated
-QRS complex may be narrow or wide
What is a THIRD-degree atrioventricular block? -ANSWER-None
of the atrial impulses conduct to the ventricles
What is a FIRST-degree atrioventricular block -ANSWER-A
prolonged PR interval representing slowed conduction through
the atrioventricular node
