PEDIATRIC ADVANCED LIFE SUPPORT
(PALS) POST TEST 2027 QUESTIONS
AND ANSWERS
1. A 6-year-old child is in cardiac arrest. The rhythm on the monitor is Ventricular Fibrillation
(VF). What is the recommended initial energy dose for defibrillation?
A. 2 J/kg
B. 1 J/kg
C. 4 J/kg
D. 10 J/kg
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: The initial energy dose for pediatric defibrillation is 2 J/kg.
Subsequent doses should be at least 4 J/kg, and may be increased up to 10 J/kg or the adult
maximum.
2. Which of the following is the correct compression-to-ventilation ratio for 2-rescuer
pediatric CPR?
A. 30:2
,B. 15:2
C. 15:1
D. 30:1
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: For two-rescuer healthcare provider CPR in children and
infants, the ratio is 15 compressions to 2 breaths to provide more frequent ventilations.
3. A 2-year-old child presents with symptomatic bradycardia and a heart rate of 40 bpm
despite adequate oxygenation and ventilation. What is the first-line medication to
administer?
A. Atropine 0.1 mg/kg
B. Amiodarone 5 mg/kg
C. Adenosine 0.1 mg/kg
D. Epinephrine 0.01 mg/kg
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: Epinephrine (0.01 mg/kg) is the primary medication used for
symptomatic bradycardia in pediatrics when oxygenation and ventilation fail to increase
the heart rate.
4. What is the maximum depth of chest compressions for an infant during CPR?
A. At least 1/3 the AP diameter of the chest, or approximately 1.5 inches (4 cm)
, B. At least 1/2 the AP diameter of the chest
C. Exactly 2 inches (5 cm)
D. At least 2.4 inches (6 cm)
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: For infants, compressions should be at least one-third the
anterior-posterior diameter of the chest, which is approximately 1.5 inches.
5. You are treating an 8-year-old child with a narrow-complex tachycardia. The heart rate is
210 bpm and stable. P waves are not visible. What is the most likely rhythm?
A. Sinus Tachycardia
B. Ventricular Tachycardia
C. Atrial Fibrillation
D. Supraventricular Tachycardia (SVT)
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: SVT in children usually presents with a heart rate >180 bpm,
absent P waves, and a narrow QRS complex.
6. Which of the following is a sign of upper airway obstruction?
A. Expiratory wheezing
B. Inspiratory stridor
(PALS) POST TEST 2027 QUESTIONS
AND ANSWERS
1. A 6-year-old child is in cardiac arrest. The rhythm on the monitor is Ventricular Fibrillation
(VF). What is the recommended initial energy dose for defibrillation?
A. 2 J/kg
B. 1 J/kg
C. 4 J/kg
D. 10 J/kg
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: The initial energy dose for pediatric defibrillation is 2 J/kg.
Subsequent doses should be at least 4 J/kg, and may be increased up to 10 J/kg or the adult
maximum.
2. Which of the following is the correct compression-to-ventilation ratio for 2-rescuer
pediatric CPR?
A. 30:2
,B. 15:2
C. 15:1
D. 30:1
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: For two-rescuer healthcare provider CPR in children and
infants, the ratio is 15 compressions to 2 breaths to provide more frequent ventilations.
3. A 2-year-old child presents with symptomatic bradycardia and a heart rate of 40 bpm
despite adequate oxygenation and ventilation. What is the first-line medication to
administer?
A. Atropine 0.1 mg/kg
B. Amiodarone 5 mg/kg
C. Adenosine 0.1 mg/kg
D. Epinephrine 0.01 mg/kg
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: Epinephrine (0.01 mg/kg) is the primary medication used for
symptomatic bradycardia in pediatrics when oxygenation and ventilation fail to increase
the heart rate.
4. What is the maximum depth of chest compressions for an infant during CPR?
A. At least 1/3 the AP diameter of the chest, or approximately 1.5 inches (4 cm)
, B. At least 1/2 the AP diameter of the chest
C. Exactly 2 inches (5 cm)
D. At least 2.4 inches (6 cm)
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: For infants, compressions should be at least one-third the
anterior-posterior diameter of the chest, which is approximately 1.5 inches.
5. You are treating an 8-year-old child with a narrow-complex tachycardia. The heart rate is
210 bpm and stable. P waves are not visible. What is the most likely rhythm?
A. Sinus Tachycardia
B. Ventricular Tachycardia
C. Atrial Fibrillation
D. Supraventricular Tachycardia (SVT)
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: SVT in children usually presents with a heart rate >180 bpm,
absent P waves, and a narrow QRS complex.
6. Which of the following is a sign of upper airway obstruction?
A. Expiratory wheezing
B. Inspiratory stridor
