PALS PRE COURSE SELF-ASSESSMENT
COMPREHENSIVE EXAM STUDY GUIDE 2026
QUESTIONS WITH SOLUTIONS
● In children and infants, cardiac arrest most often arises from which
complication? Answer: Respiratory failure
● What are the components of post-cardiac arrest syndrome (PCAS)?
Answer: Brain injury
Systemic response to ischemia/reperfusion
Myocardial dysfunction
● Which ECG rhythm is identified in the following image? Answer:
● While reassessing an intubated patient receiving mechanical
ventilation, the respiratory therapist notes the patient suddenly begins
deteriorating and suspects a problem with the advanced airway therapy.
The respiratory therapist uses which mnemonic to assess for
complications? Answer: DOPE
● A child in cardiac arrest presents with the ECG rhythm seen in the
following image, but a central pulse cannot be palpated. The provider
, correctly identifies this as which rhythm? Answer: Pulseless ventricular
tachycardia (pVT)
● Which medications may be used in the cardiac arrest care of a patient
with a "shockable" rhythm? Answer: 1. Amiodarone
2. Epinephrine
3. Magnesium Sulfate
4. Lidocaine
● During a resuscitative event, the PALS team notes a change in cardiac
rhythm on the defibrillator monitor. The monitor team member assesses
for a central pulse, but notes that no pulse is present. The PALS team
correctly identifies this as which rhythm? Answer: Pulseless electrical
activity (PEA)
● Which cardiac arrest rhythms does the healthcare provider correctly
identify as "non-shockable" rhythms? Answer: 1. Ventricular tachycardia
(VT)
2. Asystole
3. Pulseless electrical activity (PEA)
● A patient in asystole is receiving high-quality CPR and vascular access
has been achieved. Which action should the team leader order? Answer:
Administer epinephrine 0.01 mg/kg
COMPREHENSIVE EXAM STUDY GUIDE 2026
QUESTIONS WITH SOLUTIONS
● In children and infants, cardiac arrest most often arises from which
complication? Answer: Respiratory failure
● What are the components of post-cardiac arrest syndrome (PCAS)?
Answer: Brain injury
Systemic response to ischemia/reperfusion
Myocardial dysfunction
● Which ECG rhythm is identified in the following image? Answer:
● While reassessing an intubated patient receiving mechanical
ventilation, the respiratory therapist notes the patient suddenly begins
deteriorating and suspects a problem with the advanced airway therapy.
The respiratory therapist uses which mnemonic to assess for
complications? Answer: DOPE
● A child in cardiac arrest presents with the ECG rhythm seen in the
following image, but a central pulse cannot be palpated. The provider
, correctly identifies this as which rhythm? Answer: Pulseless ventricular
tachycardia (pVT)
● Which medications may be used in the cardiac arrest care of a patient
with a "shockable" rhythm? Answer: 1. Amiodarone
2. Epinephrine
3. Magnesium Sulfate
4. Lidocaine
● During a resuscitative event, the PALS team notes a change in cardiac
rhythm on the defibrillator monitor. The monitor team member assesses
for a central pulse, but notes that no pulse is present. The PALS team
correctly identifies this as which rhythm? Answer: Pulseless electrical
activity (PEA)
● Which cardiac arrest rhythms does the healthcare provider correctly
identify as "non-shockable" rhythms? Answer: 1. Ventricular tachycardia
(VT)
2. Asystole
3. Pulseless electrical activity (PEA)
● A patient in asystole is receiving high-quality CPR and vascular access
has been achieved. Which action should the team leader order? Answer:
Administer epinephrine 0.01 mg/kg
