PALS Final Exam Questions & Answers 2026 | Latest
Study Guide
1. What laboratory test is commonly used to assess perfusion and oxygen
delivery in pediatric patients?
Lactate level
Blood glucose level
Complete blood count
Electrolyte panel
2. What is the recommended IV/IO dose of epinephrine for a child
experiencing cardiac arrest?
0.5 mg/kg
0.01 mg/kg
0.1 mg/kg
1 mg/kg
3. Describe how dehydration from diarrhea can lead to changes in a child's
heart rhythm.
Dehydration can cause electrolyte imbalances, leading to sinus
tachycardia as the heart compensates for reduced blood volume.
Dehydration causes the heart to slow down due to lack of oxygen.
Dehydration leads to increased blood pressure, causing bradycardia.
Dehydration has no effect on heart rhythm.
,4. Describe the typical symptoms and signs that differentiate croup from other
causes of upper airway obstruction in children.
Croup typically presents with a barking cough, stridor, and
hoarseness due to inflammation of the larynx.
Croup presents with sudden onset of choking and inability to speak
due to foreign body aspiration.
Croup presents with wheezing and chest tightness due to
bronchospasm.
Croup presents with high fever and drooling due to epiglottitis.
5. If a 6-year-old child in respiratory distress has an oxygen saturation of 89%
after receiving oxygen therapy, what should be the next step in
management?
Continue oxygen therapy without further assessment.
Administer oral medications to improve breathing.
Discharge the child if they appear stable.
Reassess the child and consider advanced airway management.
6. What is the most common type of arrhythmia seen in children with
dehydration due to diarrhea?
Sinus tachycardia
Ventricular tachycardia
Bradycardia
Atrial fibrillation
7. In a scenario where a child is exhibiting signs of respiratory distress and
increased work of breathing, what immediate intervention should the
, healthcare provider consider?
Initiate intravenous fluid resuscitation
Perform chest compressions
Administer supplemental oxygen
Conduct a thorough neurological assessment
8. What is the first step the team should take when preparing to administer
medications to a pediatric patient in cardiac arrest?
Perform a physical examination.
Administer medications based on adult dosages.
Estimate the child's weight.
Check the child's medical history.
9. Describe the importance of monitoring in the management of a child with
respiratory distress who is on supplemental oxygen.
Monitoring is not important if the child is receiving supplemental
oxygen.
Monitoring can be done less frequently if the child is stable.
Monitoring is crucial to assess the effectiveness of oxygen therapy
and detect any deterioration in the child's condition.
Monitoring is only necessary if the child shows signs of severe distress.
10. Describe the significance of identifying ventricular fibrillation in a pediatric
patient during a PALS scenario.
Identifying ventricular fibrillation suggests the patient is stable and
requires monitoring.
, Identifying ventricular fibrillation means the patient is in a state of
shock and needs fluid resuscitation.
Identifying ventricular fibrillation indicates the need for medication
administration only.
Identifying ventricular fibrillation is critical as it indicates a life-
threatening condition requiring immediate defibrillation.
11. An 11-year-old soccer player is brought to the emergency department. After
a quick assessment, the team realizes this patient is experiencing a severe
asthma exacerbation. Which medication would the team administer
immediately?
Terbutaline
Magnesium sulfate
Albuterol with or without ipratropium bromide
Prednisone
12. What is the primary goal of post-cardiac arrest care in pediatric patients
after ensuring adequate oxygenation and ventilation?
Initiate immediate CPR
Perform a tracheostomy
Administer sedatives
Optimize hemodynamic status
13. Describe the significance of assessing circulation in the Pediatric Assessment
Triangle (PAT) during an emergency.
Assessing circulation is less important than assessing airway.
Study Guide
1. What laboratory test is commonly used to assess perfusion and oxygen
delivery in pediatric patients?
Lactate level
Blood glucose level
Complete blood count
Electrolyte panel
2. What is the recommended IV/IO dose of epinephrine for a child
experiencing cardiac arrest?
0.5 mg/kg
0.01 mg/kg
0.1 mg/kg
1 mg/kg
3. Describe how dehydration from diarrhea can lead to changes in a child's
heart rhythm.
Dehydration can cause electrolyte imbalances, leading to sinus
tachycardia as the heart compensates for reduced blood volume.
Dehydration causes the heart to slow down due to lack of oxygen.
Dehydration leads to increased blood pressure, causing bradycardia.
Dehydration has no effect on heart rhythm.
,4. Describe the typical symptoms and signs that differentiate croup from other
causes of upper airway obstruction in children.
Croup typically presents with a barking cough, stridor, and
hoarseness due to inflammation of the larynx.
Croup presents with sudden onset of choking and inability to speak
due to foreign body aspiration.
Croup presents with wheezing and chest tightness due to
bronchospasm.
Croup presents with high fever and drooling due to epiglottitis.
5. If a 6-year-old child in respiratory distress has an oxygen saturation of 89%
after receiving oxygen therapy, what should be the next step in
management?
Continue oxygen therapy without further assessment.
Administer oral medications to improve breathing.
Discharge the child if they appear stable.
Reassess the child and consider advanced airway management.
6. What is the most common type of arrhythmia seen in children with
dehydration due to diarrhea?
Sinus tachycardia
Ventricular tachycardia
Bradycardia
Atrial fibrillation
7. In a scenario where a child is exhibiting signs of respiratory distress and
increased work of breathing, what immediate intervention should the
, healthcare provider consider?
Initiate intravenous fluid resuscitation
Perform chest compressions
Administer supplemental oxygen
Conduct a thorough neurological assessment
8. What is the first step the team should take when preparing to administer
medications to a pediatric patient in cardiac arrest?
Perform a physical examination.
Administer medications based on adult dosages.
Estimate the child's weight.
Check the child's medical history.
9. Describe the importance of monitoring in the management of a child with
respiratory distress who is on supplemental oxygen.
Monitoring is not important if the child is receiving supplemental
oxygen.
Monitoring can be done less frequently if the child is stable.
Monitoring is crucial to assess the effectiveness of oxygen therapy
and detect any deterioration in the child's condition.
Monitoring is only necessary if the child shows signs of severe distress.
10. Describe the significance of identifying ventricular fibrillation in a pediatric
patient during a PALS scenario.
Identifying ventricular fibrillation suggests the patient is stable and
requires monitoring.
, Identifying ventricular fibrillation means the patient is in a state of
shock and needs fluid resuscitation.
Identifying ventricular fibrillation indicates the need for medication
administration only.
Identifying ventricular fibrillation is critical as it indicates a life-
threatening condition requiring immediate defibrillation.
11. An 11-year-old soccer player is brought to the emergency department. After
a quick assessment, the team realizes this patient is experiencing a severe
asthma exacerbation. Which medication would the team administer
immediately?
Terbutaline
Magnesium sulfate
Albuterol with or without ipratropium bromide
Prednisone
12. What is the primary goal of post-cardiac arrest care in pediatric patients
after ensuring adequate oxygenation and ventilation?
Initiate immediate CPR
Perform a tracheostomy
Administer sedatives
Optimize hemodynamic status
13. Describe the significance of assessing circulation in the Pediatric Assessment
Triangle (PAT) during an emergency.
Assessing circulation is less important than assessing airway.
