AHA PALS EXAM – 100 QUESTIONS WITH ANSWERS
& RATIONALES 2026 2027 FINAL EXAM
1. What is the first priority when a child is found unresponsive?
Answer: Check responsiveness and breathing
Rationale: Initial assessment follows the BLS sequence: responsiveness, breathing, and pulse.
2. What is the correct compression rate for pediatric CPR?
Answer: 100–120 compressions per minute
Rationale: This rate ensures adequate perfusion during CPR for all age groups.
3. What is the compression depth for a child?
Answer: At least one-third the anterior-posterior diameter of the chest
Rationale: This equals about 2 inches (5 cm) and provides effective cardiac output.
4. What is the compression-to-ventilation ratio for a single rescuer child CPR?
Answer: 30:2
Rationale: Same as adult single-rescuer CPR.
,5. What is the compression-to-ventilation ratio for two-rescuer child CPR?
Answer: 15:2
Rationale: Two rescuers allow more frequent ventilations for pediatric patients.
6. What rhythm is most commonly seen in pediatric cardiac arrest?
Answer: Asystole
Rationale: Pediatric arrests are usually due to respiratory failure or shock, not arrhythmias.
7. Which rhythm is shockable?
Answer: Ventricular fibrillation
Rationale: VF and pulseless VT require defibrillation.
8. What is the first medication given for pulseless arrest?
Answer: Epinephrine
Rationale: Epinephrine increases coronary and cerebral perfusion pressure.
9. What is the epinephrine dose during cardiac arrest?
Answer: 0.01 mg/kg IV/IO
Rationale: This is the standard PALS dosing.
, 10. How often is epinephrine given during arrest?
Answer: Every 3–5 minutes
Rationale: Ensures sustained vasoconstriction and perfusion.
11. What is the preferred airway during CPR?
Answer: Bag-mask ventilation
Rationale: It is fast, effective, and avoids interruptions.
12. What oxygen concentration should be used during resuscitation?
Answer: 100% oxygen
Rationale: Maximizes oxygen delivery during arrest.
13. What is the most common cause of pediatric cardiac arrest?
Answer: Respiratory failure
Rationale: Hypoxia leads to bradycardia and arrest.
14. What pulse should be checked in an infant?
Answer: Brachial pulse
Rationale: It is easiest and most reliable in infants.
15. What pulse should be checked in a child?
& RATIONALES 2026 2027 FINAL EXAM
1. What is the first priority when a child is found unresponsive?
Answer: Check responsiveness and breathing
Rationale: Initial assessment follows the BLS sequence: responsiveness, breathing, and pulse.
2. What is the correct compression rate for pediatric CPR?
Answer: 100–120 compressions per minute
Rationale: This rate ensures adequate perfusion during CPR for all age groups.
3. What is the compression depth for a child?
Answer: At least one-third the anterior-posterior diameter of the chest
Rationale: This equals about 2 inches (5 cm) and provides effective cardiac output.
4. What is the compression-to-ventilation ratio for a single rescuer child CPR?
Answer: 30:2
Rationale: Same as adult single-rescuer CPR.
,5. What is the compression-to-ventilation ratio for two-rescuer child CPR?
Answer: 15:2
Rationale: Two rescuers allow more frequent ventilations for pediatric patients.
6. What rhythm is most commonly seen in pediatric cardiac arrest?
Answer: Asystole
Rationale: Pediatric arrests are usually due to respiratory failure or shock, not arrhythmias.
7. Which rhythm is shockable?
Answer: Ventricular fibrillation
Rationale: VF and pulseless VT require defibrillation.
8. What is the first medication given for pulseless arrest?
Answer: Epinephrine
Rationale: Epinephrine increases coronary and cerebral perfusion pressure.
9. What is the epinephrine dose during cardiac arrest?
Answer: 0.01 mg/kg IV/IO
Rationale: This is the standard PALS dosing.
, 10. How often is epinephrine given during arrest?
Answer: Every 3–5 minutes
Rationale: Ensures sustained vasoconstriction and perfusion.
11. What is the preferred airway during CPR?
Answer: Bag-mask ventilation
Rationale: It is fast, effective, and avoids interruptions.
12. What oxygen concentration should be used during resuscitation?
Answer: 100% oxygen
Rationale: Maximizes oxygen delivery during arrest.
13. What is the most common cause of pediatric cardiac arrest?
Answer: Respiratory failure
Rationale: Hypoxia leads to bradycardia and arrest.
14. What pulse should be checked in an infant?
Answer: Brachial pulse
Rationale: It is easiest and most reliable in infants.
15. What pulse should be checked in a child?
