AHA PEDIATRIC ADVANCED LIFE SUPPORT
COMPREHENSIVE TEST 2026 STUDY GUIDE
SOLVED QUESTIONS
◉ What are the main team roles in a PALS code? Answer: Lead,
airway, compression, medication, monitor/defibrillation/CPR coach,
timer/recorder.
◉ What type of communication is recommended during a code?
Answer: Closed-loop communication.
◉ What assessments should be made on a pediatric patient?
Answer: Breathing pattern and respiratory rate, capillary refill, skin
appearance, eyes/pupils, glucose levels, ABCDE, SAMPLE, vitals,
rhythm (ECG), IV/IO treatments, and medications.
◉ What is upper airway obstruction? Answer: Blockage or
narrowing of the airway ABOVE the lungs that makes inhalation
difficult.
◉ What is lower airway obstruction? Answer: Blocking or narrowing
of chest airways (bronchi/bronchioles), such as asthma, pneumonia,
or cystic fibrosis.
, ◉ What medications/interventions are commonly given for lower
airway obstruction? Answer: Albuterol, steroids, and suctioning as
needed.
◉ What is respiratory distress? Answer: A compensated state where
a child is working hard to maintain gas exchange.
◉ What is respiratory failure? Answer: A decompensated state
where compensatory mechanisms fail, requiring immediate
intervention.
◉ What are typical ABG values in respiratory distress? Answer: pH:
normal or alkalotic, CO2: normal or low, O2: normal or mildly low,
HCO3: normal.
◉ What are typical ABG values in respiratory failure? Answer:
Hypoxemic: pH normal or high, CO2 normal or low, O2 very low.
Hypercapnic: pH low, CO2 high, O2 low.
◉ What is the correct BVM rate and depth for a child? Answer: Rate:
20-30 breaths/min, Depth: 1/3 of the bag, Inspiratory time: 0.5-1
second.
◉ How do you size an oral airway? Answer: From the corner of the
mouth to the angle of the jaw.
COMPREHENSIVE TEST 2026 STUDY GUIDE
SOLVED QUESTIONS
◉ What are the main team roles in a PALS code? Answer: Lead,
airway, compression, medication, monitor/defibrillation/CPR coach,
timer/recorder.
◉ What type of communication is recommended during a code?
Answer: Closed-loop communication.
◉ What assessments should be made on a pediatric patient?
Answer: Breathing pattern and respiratory rate, capillary refill, skin
appearance, eyes/pupils, glucose levels, ABCDE, SAMPLE, vitals,
rhythm (ECG), IV/IO treatments, and medications.
◉ What is upper airway obstruction? Answer: Blockage or
narrowing of the airway ABOVE the lungs that makes inhalation
difficult.
◉ What is lower airway obstruction? Answer: Blocking or narrowing
of chest airways (bronchi/bronchioles), such as asthma, pneumonia,
or cystic fibrosis.
, ◉ What medications/interventions are commonly given for lower
airway obstruction? Answer: Albuterol, steroids, and suctioning as
needed.
◉ What is respiratory distress? Answer: A compensated state where
a child is working hard to maintain gas exchange.
◉ What is respiratory failure? Answer: A decompensated state
where compensatory mechanisms fail, requiring immediate
intervention.
◉ What are typical ABG values in respiratory distress? Answer: pH:
normal or alkalotic, CO2: normal or low, O2: normal or mildly low,
HCO3: normal.
◉ What are typical ABG values in respiratory failure? Answer:
Hypoxemic: pH normal or high, CO2 normal or low, O2 very low.
Hypercapnic: pH low, CO2 high, O2 low.
◉ What is the correct BVM rate and depth for a child? Answer: Rate:
20-30 breaths/min, Depth: 1/3 of the bag, Inspiratory time: 0.5-1
second.
◉ How do you size an oral airway? Answer: From the corner of the
mouth to the angle of the jaw.
