Page 1 of 142
PALS Instructor Certification Exam ACTUAL EXAM
QUESTIONS AND VERIFIED ANSWERS WITH
RATIONALES JUST RELEASED
Summarized Exam Coverage
The PALS Instructor Certification Exam tests both pediatric resuscitation knowledge (algorithms,
pharmacology, rhythms, shock, airway management, post-arrest care) AND instructor-specific
competencies including the AHA Instruction Cycle (Prepare, Teach, Test & Remediate, Close, Keep
Current), effective debriefing techniques, simulation-based learning, objective skills evaluation using
checklists, remediation protocols, course administration, and the instructor candidate pathway.
1. An instructor candidate wishes to begin the process of becoming a PALS Instructor. Which of the
following is the correct first step?
A. Complete the PALS Instructor Essentials online module
B. Contact the AHA Training Center Coordinator for acceptance and complete an Instructor Candidate
Application
C. Schedule a monitored teaching session
D. Purchase the PALS Instructor Manual
Answer: B
The instructor path begins with acceptance by an AHA Training Center (TC), not by purchasing materials
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or taking online modules independently. The TC must have an Instructor Candidate Application on file
before the candidate can enroll in Instructor Essentials .
2. During a PALS Provider course, a student struggles with the BLS skills station. According to AHA policy,
what is the instructor's responsibility?
A. Pass the student because BLS is not the focus of PALS
B. Provide remediation and retesting until the student demonstrates competency
C. Refer the student to a BLS course without issuing a PALS card
D. Document the difficulty and issue a PALS card with a skills restriction
Answer: B
Objective skills performance evaluation is required. AHA policy requires remediation for students who do
not meet cognitive or skills criteria before retesting to ensure competence .
3. A student in your PALS course fails the written exam on the first attempt. What should you do?
A. Issue a course completion card with a notation of modified completion
B. Inform the student they must retake the entire course
C. Provide remediation and allow the student to retest
D. Average the written exam score with the skills score to determine passing
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Answer: C
Testing and remediation are core instructor responsibilities. Students who fail a written exam must
receive remediation before retesting .
4. A new PALS Instructor has just completed the hands-on session of Instructor Essentials. What is the
final step required to receive their instructor card?
A. Submit payment for the instructor card
B. Complete the online portion of Instructor Essentials
C. Successfully complete a monitored teaching session within 6 months
D. Wait for automatic card issuance after 30 days
Answer: C
Completion of the instructor essentials does not qualify the participant as an instructor. Successful
completion of a monitored teach-back for the PALS program is required .
5. When evaluating a student's performance during a PALS megacode, the instructor should base the
evaluation on:
A. The student's confidence level during the scenario
B. Standardized performance criteria and AHA guidelines
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C. Comparison with other students in the course
D. The student's prior clinical experience
Answer: B
Standardized performance criteria and checklists ensure fair and consistent evaluation of competency .
6. During a high-fidelity simulation scenario, an instructor notices a student making a significant
medication error. What is the most appropriate action?
A. Stop the scenario immediately and correct the error publicly
B. Allow the scenario to continue and address the error during the debriefing session
C. Whisper the correction to the student during the scenario
D. Let the error go undocumented to avoid embarrassing the student
Answer: B
Allowing continuation and debriefing afterward is the preferred approach. Errors are best addressed in
debriefing for learning value rather than interrupting the flow of simulation .
7. Which of the following is a core competency expected of AHA instructor candidates?
A. Teaching at least 8 courses per year
B. Working exclusively in a hospital setting
PALS Instructor Certification Exam ACTUAL EXAM
QUESTIONS AND VERIFIED ANSWERS WITH
RATIONALES JUST RELEASED
Summarized Exam Coverage
The PALS Instructor Certification Exam tests both pediatric resuscitation knowledge (algorithms,
pharmacology, rhythms, shock, airway management, post-arrest care) AND instructor-specific
competencies including the AHA Instruction Cycle (Prepare, Teach, Test & Remediate, Close, Keep
Current), effective debriefing techniques, simulation-based learning, objective skills evaluation using
checklists, remediation protocols, course administration, and the instructor candidate pathway.
1. An instructor candidate wishes to begin the process of becoming a PALS Instructor. Which of the
following is the correct first step?
A. Complete the PALS Instructor Essentials online module
B. Contact the AHA Training Center Coordinator for acceptance and complete an Instructor Candidate
Application
C. Schedule a monitored teaching session
D. Purchase the PALS Instructor Manual
Answer: B
The instructor path begins with acceptance by an AHA Training Center (TC), not by purchasing materials
, Page 2 of 142
or taking online modules independently. The TC must have an Instructor Candidate Application on file
before the candidate can enroll in Instructor Essentials .
2. During a PALS Provider course, a student struggles with the BLS skills station. According to AHA policy,
what is the instructor's responsibility?
A. Pass the student because BLS is not the focus of PALS
B. Provide remediation and retesting until the student demonstrates competency
C. Refer the student to a BLS course without issuing a PALS card
D. Document the difficulty and issue a PALS card with a skills restriction
Answer: B
Objective skills performance evaluation is required. AHA policy requires remediation for students who do
not meet cognitive or skills criteria before retesting to ensure competence .
3. A student in your PALS course fails the written exam on the first attempt. What should you do?
A. Issue a course completion card with a notation of modified completion
B. Inform the student they must retake the entire course
C. Provide remediation and allow the student to retest
D. Average the written exam score with the skills score to determine passing
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Answer: C
Testing and remediation are core instructor responsibilities. Students who fail a written exam must
receive remediation before retesting .
4. A new PALS Instructor has just completed the hands-on session of Instructor Essentials. What is the
final step required to receive their instructor card?
A. Submit payment for the instructor card
B. Complete the online portion of Instructor Essentials
C. Successfully complete a monitored teaching session within 6 months
D. Wait for automatic card issuance after 30 days
Answer: C
Completion of the instructor essentials does not qualify the participant as an instructor. Successful
completion of a monitored teach-back for the PALS program is required .
5. When evaluating a student's performance during a PALS megacode, the instructor should base the
evaluation on:
A. The student's confidence level during the scenario
B. Standardized performance criteria and AHA guidelines
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C. Comparison with other students in the course
D. The student's prior clinical experience
Answer: B
Standardized performance criteria and checklists ensure fair and consistent evaluation of competency .
6. During a high-fidelity simulation scenario, an instructor notices a student making a significant
medication error. What is the most appropriate action?
A. Stop the scenario immediately and correct the error publicly
B. Allow the scenario to continue and address the error during the debriefing session
C. Whisper the correction to the student during the scenario
D. Let the error go undocumented to avoid embarrassing the student
Answer: B
Allowing continuation and debriefing afterward is the preferred approach. Errors are best addressed in
debriefing for learning value rather than interrupting the flow of simulation .
7. Which of the following is a core competency expected of AHA instructor candidates?
A. Teaching at least 8 courses per year
B. Working exclusively in a hospital setting
