HEARTCODE PALS 2 2026 COMPREHENSIVE
STUDY GUIDE PRACTICE SET
◉ Which are appropriate interventions for an apneic child? Answer:
Provide a breath every 2 to 3 seconds
Watch for chest rise
◉ Which of the following should be included in rescue breathing for
an infant? Answer: Use oxygen as soon as it is available
◉ When should the use of an endotracheal tube be considered in a
child? Answer: Child cannot maintain oxygenation despite initial
intervention
◉ What is the first step for an intubated child whose condition
deteriorates? Answer: Support oxygenation & ventilation
◉ What are the common causes of upper airway obstruction?
Answer: Airway swelling
Tonsillar hypertrophy
Thick secretions
,◉ Which anatomical feature may contribute to upper airway
obstruction in infants? Answer: Large tongue
Large occiput
◉ What are the signs of upper airway obstruction? Answer: Stridor
Use of accessory muscles
◉ Which diagnoses may present w/ upper airway obstruction?
Answer: Croup
Epiglottitis
Foreign body obstruction
◉ What should you do before suctioning a child who has upper
airway obstruction? Answer: Determine the underlying cause of the
obstruction
◉ In a less severe case of upper airway obstruction in a child, what
intervention can relieve obstruction caused by the tongue? Answer:
Insert an oral airway
◉ A child presents with a barking cough, good air entry during
auscultation, a pulse oximetry reading of 93% on room air, &
retractions at rest.
,What is the severity of the child's presentation? Answer: Moderate
croup
◉ A child presents with a barking cough, good air entry during
auscultation, a pulse oximetry reading of 93% on room air, &
retractions at rest.
What are appropriate initial interventions? Answer: Administer
oxygen & nebulized epinephrine
Consider dexamethasone
◉ What is the treatment for a mild allergic reaction? Answer:
Remove the offending agent
Consider an antihistamine
◉ What is the most appropriate treatment for severe anaphylaxis?
Answer: Administer IM epinephrine
◉ A responsive infant presents w/ severe foreign-body airway
obstruction.
What is the appropriate management? Answer: Give 5 back blows
followed by 5 chest thrusts
◉ A responsive child presents w/ severe foreign-body airway
obstruction & is unable to speak.
, You determine the child Answer: Should receive abdominal thrusts
◉ Scenario:
You are dispatched to a for an 8-month old boy who is having
difficulty breathing. He is lying on the couch & has a hoarse cry,
barking cough, & is drooling. His mother says that during the night,
her son had difficulty breathing, which has progressively worsened
throughout the day. Answer: The infant most likely has what type of
respiratory emergency?
Upper airway obstruction
According to the Systematic Approach Algorithm, what are the
correct assessments to perform during the evaluation phase?
Initial, primary, secondary
The infant is responsive & breathing. What is an initial measure that
you can perform to maintain his airway?
Sit him up
◉ What are the components of the breathing assessment? Answer:
Lung & airway sounds
Respiratory effort
Chest expansion & air movement
Respiratory rate
Oxygen saturation
STUDY GUIDE PRACTICE SET
◉ Which are appropriate interventions for an apneic child? Answer:
Provide a breath every 2 to 3 seconds
Watch for chest rise
◉ Which of the following should be included in rescue breathing for
an infant? Answer: Use oxygen as soon as it is available
◉ When should the use of an endotracheal tube be considered in a
child? Answer: Child cannot maintain oxygenation despite initial
intervention
◉ What is the first step for an intubated child whose condition
deteriorates? Answer: Support oxygenation & ventilation
◉ What are the common causes of upper airway obstruction?
Answer: Airway swelling
Tonsillar hypertrophy
Thick secretions
,◉ Which anatomical feature may contribute to upper airway
obstruction in infants? Answer: Large tongue
Large occiput
◉ What are the signs of upper airway obstruction? Answer: Stridor
Use of accessory muscles
◉ Which diagnoses may present w/ upper airway obstruction?
Answer: Croup
Epiglottitis
Foreign body obstruction
◉ What should you do before suctioning a child who has upper
airway obstruction? Answer: Determine the underlying cause of the
obstruction
◉ In a less severe case of upper airway obstruction in a child, what
intervention can relieve obstruction caused by the tongue? Answer:
Insert an oral airway
◉ A child presents with a barking cough, good air entry during
auscultation, a pulse oximetry reading of 93% on room air, &
retractions at rest.
,What is the severity of the child's presentation? Answer: Moderate
croup
◉ A child presents with a barking cough, good air entry during
auscultation, a pulse oximetry reading of 93% on room air, &
retractions at rest.
What are appropriate initial interventions? Answer: Administer
oxygen & nebulized epinephrine
Consider dexamethasone
◉ What is the treatment for a mild allergic reaction? Answer:
Remove the offending agent
Consider an antihistamine
◉ What is the most appropriate treatment for severe anaphylaxis?
Answer: Administer IM epinephrine
◉ A responsive infant presents w/ severe foreign-body airway
obstruction.
What is the appropriate management? Answer: Give 5 back blows
followed by 5 chest thrusts
◉ A responsive child presents w/ severe foreign-body airway
obstruction & is unable to speak.
, You determine the child Answer: Should receive abdominal thrusts
◉ Scenario:
You are dispatched to a for an 8-month old boy who is having
difficulty breathing. He is lying on the couch & has a hoarse cry,
barking cough, & is drooling. His mother says that during the night,
her son had difficulty breathing, which has progressively worsened
throughout the day. Answer: The infant most likely has what type of
respiratory emergency?
Upper airway obstruction
According to the Systematic Approach Algorithm, what are the
correct assessments to perform during the evaluation phase?
Initial, primary, secondary
The infant is responsive & breathing. What is an initial measure that
you can perform to maintain his airway?
Sit him up
◉ What are the components of the breathing assessment? Answer:
Lung & airway sounds
Respiratory effort
Chest expansion & air movement
Respiratory rate
Oxygen saturation
