AHA PALS Exam 2025 – Actual Test Bank with 230 Questions & Detailed Verified Answers & Rationales | 100% Correct | A+ Grade Guaranteed

1




AHA PALS Exam 2025 – Actual Test
Bank with 230 Questions & Detailed
Verified Answers & Rationales | 100%
Correct | A+ Grade Guaranteed

Pediatric Assessment (58 Questions)
Question 1

A 5-year-old child presents with lethargy and increased work of breathing. The primary
assessment reveals an open airway, respiratory rate of 30/min, and crackles on auscultation.
What is the next step?
A) Administer epinephrine
B) Administer supplemental oxygen
C) Start chest compressions
D) Obtain a chest x-ray
Rationale: Supplemental oxygen addresses increased work of breathing and potential hypoxia,
per 2025 AHA PALS guidelines.

Question 2

Using the Pediatric Assessment Triangle (PAT), which component evaluates circulation?
A) Appearance
B) Circulation to skin
C) Work of breathing
D) Airway patency
Rationale: Circulation to skin assesses skin color and perfusion, per 2025 AHA PALS
guidelines.

Question 3

A 3-year-old is unresponsive. Which assessment tool should be used to evaluate neurological
status?
A) Glasgow Coma Scale
B) AVPU scale
C) Apgar score
D) Braden scale

, 2


Rationale: The AVPU scale (Alert, Voice, Pain, Unresponsive) is used for rapid neurological
assessment in pediatric emergencies, per 2025 AHA PALS guidelines.

Question 4 (NGN: Case Study)

Case Study: A 6-year-old presents with fever, lethargy, and pale color. Vital signs: heart rate
170/min, respiratory rate 40/min, blood pressure 80/50 mm Hg.
Question: What is the most likely condition?
A) Respiratory distress
B) Septic shock
C) Supraventricular tachycardia
D) Dehydration only
Rationale: Fever, lethargy, tachycardia, and hypotension suggest septic shock, per 2025 AHA
PALS guidelines.

Question 5

A 2-year-old has a respiratory rate of 35/min and nasal flaring. What does this indicate?
A) Normal breathing
B) Respiratory distress
C) Respiratory failure
D) Cardiac arrest
Rationale: Nasal flaring and increased respiratory rate indicate respiratory distress, per 2025
AHA PALS guidelines.

Question 6

During a primary assessment, a child is alert but has pale skin and a capillary refill time of 4
seconds. What does this suggest?
A) Normal circulation
B) Poor perfusion
C) Stable respiratory status
D) Hypoglycemia
Rationale: Pale skin and delayed capillary refill indicate poor perfusion, per 2025 AHA PALS
guidelines.

Question 7 (NGN: Select-All-That-Apply)

Which findings indicate increased work of breathing in a pediatric patient? (Select all that
apply.)
A) Nasal flaring
B) Intercostal retractions
C) Normal respiratory rate
D) Grunting
E) Clear lung sounds

, 3


Rationale: Nasal flaring, intercostal retractions, and grunting are signs of increased work of
breathing, per 2025 AHA PALS guidelines.

Question 8

A 7-year-old has a heart rate of 180/min and is lethargic. What is the first step?
A) Administer adenosine
B) Perform a primary assessment
C) Start chest compressions
D) Apply a defibrillator
Rationale: A primary assessment using the PAT guides initial management, per 2025 AHA
PALS guidelines.

Question 9

Which oxygen saturation level indicates the need for supplemental oxygen in a child?
A) 96% on room air
B) 93% on 4 L of oxygen
C) 97% on 50% oxygen
D) 95% on room air
Rationale: Oxygen saturation <94% despite oxygen therapy indicates the need for escalation,
per 2025 AHA PALS guidelines.

Question 10 (NGN: Hot Spot)

Click on the area where the brachial pulse should be checked in a 6-month-old infant.
[Image of infant’s arm]
Answer: Medial upper arm
Rationale: The brachial pulse is palpable in the medial upper arm in infants, per 2025 AHA
PALS guidelines.

Question 11

A 4-year-old is pale and has a capillary refill time of 5 seconds. What is the priority action?
A) Administer glucose
B) Assess for shock
C) Start chest compressions
D) Obtain a chest x-ray
Rationale: Delayed capillary refill and pallor suggest shock, requiring immediate assessment,
per 2025 AHA PALS guidelines.

Question 12

What is the normal respiratory rate for a 5-year-old at rest?
A) 10–15 breaths/min
B) 20–30 breaths/min

, 4


C) 35–40 breaths/min
D) 45–50 breaths/min
Rationale: The normal respiratory rate for a 5-year-old is 20–30 breaths/min, per 2025 AHA
PALS guidelines.

Question 13 (NGN: Fill-in-the-Blank)

A 10-kg child requires a fluid bolus for hypovolemic shock. What is the appropriate volume in
milliliters?
Answer: 200 mL
Rationale: A fluid bolus of 20 mL/kg is standard for hypovolemic shock; 10 kg × 20 mL/kg =
200 mL, per 2025 AHA PALS guidelines.

Question 14

A child with stridor and barking cough is assessed. What condition is most likely?
A) Asthma
B) Croup
C) Pneumonia
D) Bronchiolitis
Rationale: Stridor and barking cough are hallmark signs of croup, per 2025 AHA PALS
guidelines.

Question 15

During the secondary assessment, which acronym guides history collection?
A) ABCDE
B) SPAM
C) AVPU
D) FAST
Rationale: SPAM (Signs/symptoms, Past medical history, Allergies, Medications) guides history
collection, per 2025 AHA PALS guidelines.

Question 16

A 9-year-old has a Glasgow Coma Scale score of 8. What does this indicate?
A) Normal neurological status
B) Severe neurological impairment
C) Mild distress
D) Stable condition
Rationale: A GCS score of 8 indicates severe neurological impairment, per 2025 AHA PALS
guidelines.

Question 17 (NGN: Ordered Response)