AHA PALS Precourse Assessment Latest Update 2026 |
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1. What is the next drug and dose to administer after 1 dose of epinephrine 0.01
mg/kg if ventricular fibrillation persists?
Lidocaine 1 mg/kg
Atropine 0.02 mg/kg
Epinephrine 0.01 mg/kg
Amiodarone 5 mg/kg
2. During resuscitation, a baby is responding to positive-pressure ventilation
with a rapidly increasing heart rate. Her heart rate and oxygen saturation
suddenly worsen.She has decreased breath sounds on the left side and
transillumination also reveals a bright glow on the left side.What is the most
likely cause of this distress?
Choanal atresia
Left-sided pneumothorax
Obstruction of the endotracheal tube with thick secretions
Displacement of endotracheal tube from the trachea into the
esophagus
3. In a scenario where a child is experiencing respiratory distress and requires
bag-mask ventilation, how would you implement the E-C clamp technique
effectively?
By using one hand to hold the mask and the other to support the
child's head.
By having another rescuer hold the mask while you squeeze the bag.
, By placing the mask loosely on the child's face and using both hands
to squeeze the bag.
By positioning the mask over the child's face with the thumb and
index finger forming a 'C' shape while using the remaining fingers to
maintain jaw position.
4. If you are performing CPR on a child and notice that your partner is
compressing too slowly, how should you address this to improve the
effectiveness of the resuscitation effort?
Ignore the compression rate and focus on rescue breaths.
Gently remind your partner to increase the compression rate to 100
to 120 compressions per minute.
Tell your partner to stop compressions and switch roles.
Suggest taking a break to reassess the situation.
5. In a scenario where a child is receiving CPR, what might be the consequence
of not allowing complete chest recoil between compressions?
Reduced blood flow to the heart and decreased effectiveness of
CPR
Enhanced airway clearance and reduced risk of aspiration
Increased heart rate and improved oxygenation
Improved ventilation and reduced risk of respiratory distress
6. Rapid response teams (RRTs) have been implemented to address changes in
a patient's clinical condition before a cardiac or respiratory arrest occurs. The
first medication given to a patient in ventricular fibrillation unresponsive to
initial defibrillation is:
Atropine
, Epinephrine
Amiodarone
Lidocaine
7. Initial impression of a 2yo girl shows her to be alert with mild breathing
difficulty during inspiration and pale skin color. On primary assessment, she
makes high-pitched inspiratory sounds (mild stridor) when agitated;
otherwise, her breathing is quiet. Her spO2 is 92% on room air, and she has
mild inspiratory intercostal retractions. Lung auscultation reveals transmitted
upper airway sounds with adequate distal breath sounds bilaterally. Which is
the most appropriate initial intervention for this child?
Nebulized albuterol
IV dexamethasone
Endotracheal intubation
Humidified oxygen as tolerated
8. What is the next step after delivering 30 compressions to a child in cardiac
arrest?
Administer medication
Give 2 rescue breaths
Check for a pulse
Continue compressions
9. A 3-year-old child is admitted to the pediatric unit with severe diarrhea and
vomiting. The nurse assesses the child's vital signs and notes a heart rate of
160 beats per minute, a blood pressure of 80/50 mm Hg, and a capillary refill
time of 4 seconds. Which of the following interventions should the nurse
prioritize for this child?
, Administer intravenous (IV) fluids with normal saline
Administer an antiemetic to control vomiting
Administer an antipyretic to reduce fever
Administer a stool softener to relieve discomfort
10. When assessing a patient on mechanical ventilation, you discover absent
breath sounds on one side and tracheal deviation. Which complication of
mechanical ventilation should you suspect?
Oxygen toxicity
Auto-positive end-expiratory pressure
Pneumonia
Tension pneumothorax
11. A 3-year-old presents with profuse watery diarrhea for the past three days.
The child vomited twice yesterday, but not today. On exam, the child is
febrile, with a pulse of 142, respiratory rate of 18, and blood pressure of
60/40 mmHg. On exam, the child is alert and responsive, with no focal
findings. What is the most appropriate intervention?
abx therapy
oral rehydration
iv fluids
begin soft diet
12. A 9-year-old girl is brought to the emergency room by her parents with
severe shortness of breath, cough, and wheezing after playing with her
friends in the garden. She has a history of bronchial asthma. The vital signs
include: respiratory rate 39/min, pulse 121/min, blood pressure 129/67 mm Hg,
and temperature 37.2°C (99°F). On physical exam, she looks confused and
Exam Prep | Verified Questions & Answers | Instant
Download PDF
1. What is the next drug and dose to administer after 1 dose of epinephrine 0.01
mg/kg if ventricular fibrillation persists?
Lidocaine 1 mg/kg
Atropine 0.02 mg/kg
Epinephrine 0.01 mg/kg
Amiodarone 5 mg/kg
2. During resuscitation, a baby is responding to positive-pressure ventilation
with a rapidly increasing heart rate. Her heart rate and oxygen saturation
suddenly worsen.She has decreased breath sounds on the left side and
transillumination also reveals a bright glow on the left side.What is the most
likely cause of this distress?
Choanal atresia
Left-sided pneumothorax
Obstruction of the endotracheal tube with thick secretions
Displacement of endotracheal tube from the trachea into the
esophagus
3. In a scenario where a child is experiencing respiratory distress and requires
bag-mask ventilation, how would you implement the E-C clamp technique
effectively?
By using one hand to hold the mask and the other to support the
child's head.
By having another rescuer hold the mask while you squeeze the bag.
, By placing the mask loosely on the child's face and using both hands
to squeeze the bag.
By positioning the mask over the child's face with the thumb and
index finger forming a 'C' shape while using the remaining fingers to
maintain jaw position.
4. If you are performing CPR on a child and notice that your partner is
compressing too slowly, how should you address this to improve the
effectiveness of the resuscitation effort?
Ignore the compression rate and focus on rescue breaths.
Gently remind your partner to increase the compression rate to 100
to 120 compressions per minute.
Tell your partner to stop compressions and switch roles.
Suggest taking a break to reassess the situation.
5. In a scenario where a child is receiving CPR, what might be the consequence
of not allowing complete chest recoil between compressions?
Reduced blood flow to the heart and decreased effectiveness of
CPR
Enhanced airway clearance and reduced risk of aspiration
Increased heart rate and improved oxygenation
Improved ventilation and reduced risk of respiratory distress
6. Rapid response teams (RRTs) have been implemented to address changes in
a patient's clinical condition before a cardiac or respiratory arrest occurs. The
first medication given to a patient in ventricular fibrillation unresponsive to
initial defibrillation is:
Atropine
, Epinephrine
Amiodarone
Lidocaine
7. Initial impression of a 2yo girl shows her to be alert with mild breathing
difficulty during inspiration and pale skin color. On primary assessment, she
makes high-pitched inspiratory sounds (mild stridor) when agitated;
otherwise, her breathing is quiet. Her spO2 is 92% on room air, and she has
mild inspiratory intercostal retractions. Lung auscultation reveals transmitted
upper airway sounds with adequate distal breath sounds bilaterally. Which is
the most appropriate initial intervention for this child?
Nebulized albuterol
IV dexamethasone
Endotracheal intubation
Humidified oxygen as tolerated
8. What is the next step after delivering 30 compressions to a child in cardiac
arrest?
Administer medication
Give 2 rescue breaths
Check for a pulse
Continue compressions
9. A 3-year-old child is admitted to the pediatric unit with severe diarrhea and
vomiting. The nurse assesses the child's vital signs and notes a heart rate of
160 beats per minute, a blood pressure of 80/50 mm Hg, and a capillary refill
time of 4 seconds. Which of the following interventions should the nurse
prioritize for this child?
, Administer intravenous (IV) fluids with normal saline
Administer an antiemetic to control vomiting
Administer an antipyretic to reduce fever
Administer a stool softener to relieve discomfort
10. When assessing a patient on mechanical ventilation, you discover absent
breath sounds on one side and tracheal deviation. Which complication of
mechanical ventilation should you suspect?
Oxygen toxicity
Auto-positive end-expiratory pressure
Pneumonia
Tension pneumothorax
11. A 3-year-old presents with profuse watery diarrhea for the past three days.
The child vomited twice yesterday, but not today. On exam, the child is
febrile, with a pulse of 142, respiratory rate of 18, and blood pressure of
60/40 mmHg. On exam, the child is alert and responsive, with no focal
findings. What is the most appropriate intervention?
abx therapy
oral rehydration
iv fluids
begin soft diet
12. A 9-year-old girl is brought to the emergency room by her parents with
severe shortness of breath, cough, and wheezing after playing with her
friends in the garden. She has a history of bronchial asthma. The vital signs
include: respiratory rate 39/min, pulse 121/min, blood pressure 129/67 mm Hg,
and temperature 37.2°C (99°F). On physical exam, she looks confused and
