2026 AHA PALS
CERTIFICATION EXAM
400+ Practice Questions
Questions and Revised Answers
Wat to expect:
• questions that are derived from the American Red Cross
and American Heart Association Pediatric Advanced Life
Support (PALS) provider handbooks and adhere to the
latest AHA, ILCOR and ECC guidelines.
,How long should assessing for breathing and a pulse take?
A) no longer than 5 seconds
B) no longer than 15 seconds C) no longer than 20
seconds
D) no longer than 10 seconds
CORRECT ANSWER>>: D
What should you do to check for breathing?
A) listen for lung sounds
B) look at the nose to check for nasal flaring
C) look for chest rise and fall
D) hold a mirror over the mouth, looking for condensation
CORRECT ANSWER>>: C
Where can you check a pulse on an infant?
CORRECT ANSWER>>: Brachial
Where can you check a pulse on a child?
CORRECT ANSWER>>: Femoral
If the child does not have normal breathing and a pulse of 64/min is
present, you will need to
A) monitor
C) provide rescue breathing
D) begin CPR
CORRECT ANSWER>>: B
For an unwitnessed cardiac arrest, what should you do after
determining unresponsiveness and there is no breathing and no
pulse?
A) shout for help
B) provide rescue breaths
C) perform high-quality CPR for 2 minutes
D) activate the emergency response system
,CORRECT ANSWER>>: C
The appropriate rate for compressions for children is 100 to 120/min.
What is the correct depth for children?
A) approximately 4 inches (two thirds AP diameter)
B) approximately 3 inches (one half AP diameter)
C) approximately 2 inches (one third AP diameter)
CORRECT ANSWER>>: C
What is the compression-to-ventilation ratio for 1 and 2 rescuer CPR
for children and infants?
A) single rescuer 15-2; 2 rescuers 30-2
B) 15-2 for both
C) 30-2
D) single rescuer 30-2; 2 rescuers 15-2
CORRECT ANSWER>>: D
How should 1 rescuer infant compressions be delivered?
A) with 1 hand or 2 fingers
B) with 2 hands or 2 fingers
C) with 2 fingers or 2 thumbs
D) with 1 finger or 2 thumbs
CORRECT ANSWER>>: C
What is the preferred technique for infant compressions when there
are 2 or more rescuers present?
A) 2 finger technique
B) 1 thumb-encircling hands technique
C) 1 finger technique
D) 2 thumb encircling hands technique
CORRECT ANSWER>>: D
What are the 4 universal steps for operation of an AED?
CORRECT ANSWER>>:
, 1. Turn on the AED
2. Attach pads to the patient
3. Analyze the heart rhythm
4. Deliver indicated shock
If the AED indicates no shock advised, what should be the next
action?
A) call for help
B) give 2 rescue breaths
C) analyze heart rhythm again
D) start chest compressions
CORRECT ANSWER>>: D
What does the A-B-C in the pediatric assessment triangle (PAT) stand
for?
CORRECT ANSWER>>:
Appearance
Work of breathing
Circulation
When is the pediatric assessment triangle (PAT) performed to
make an initial assessment? A) during the transfer of care
B) during the secondary assessment
C) during the primary assessment
D) during the "from the doorway" observation
CORRECT ANSWER>>: D
What sequence is used when caring for a seriously ill or injured child
to help determine the best treatment or intervention? The _______,
_______, ______ sequence
CORRECT ANSWER>>: Evaluate, identify, and intervene
The evaluate -identify-intervene sequence should be continued until
A) the child is stable
B) the child is ready for discharge
CERTIFICATION EXAM
400+ Practice Questions
Questions and Revised Answers
Wat to expect:
• questions that are derived from the American Red Cross
and American Heart Association Pediatric Advanced Life
Support (PALS) provider handbooks and adhere to the
latest AHA, ILCOR and ECC guidelines.
,How long should assessing for breathing and a pulse take?
A) no longer than 5 seconds
B) no longer than 15 seconds C) no longer than 20
seconds
D) no longer than 10 seconds
CORRECT ANSWER>>: D
What should you do to check for breathing?
A) listen for lung sounds
B) look at the nose to check for nasal flaring
C) look for chest rise and fall
D) hold a mirror over the mouth, looking for condensation
CORRECT ANSWER>>: C
Where can you check a pulse on an infant?
CORRECT ANSWER>>: Brachial
Where can you check a pulse on a child?
CORRECT ANSWER>>: Femoral
If the child does not have normal breathing and a pulse of 64/min is
present, you will need to
A) monitor
C) provide rescue breathing
D) begin CPR
CORRECT ANSWER>>: B
For an unwitnessed cardiac arrest, what should you do after
determining unresponsiveness and there is no breathing and no
pulse?
A) shout for help
B) provide rescue breaths
C) perform high-quality CPR for 2 minutes
D) activate the emergency response system
,CORRECT ANSWER>>: C
The appropriate rate for compressions for children is 100 to 120/min.
What is the correct depth for children?
A) approximately 4 inches (two thirds AP diameter)
B) approximately 3 inches (one half AP diameter)
C) approximately 2 inches (one third AP diameter)
CORRECT ANSWER>>: C
What is the compression-to-ventilation ratio for 1 and 2 rescuer CPR
for children and infants?
A) single rescuer 15-2; 2 rescuers 30-2
B) 15-2 for both
C) 30-2
D) single rescuer 30-2; 2 rescuers 15-2
CORRECT ANSWER>>: D
How should 1 rescuer infant compressions be delivered?
A) with 1 hand or 2 fingers
B) with 2 hands or 2 fingers
C) with 2 fingers or 2 thumbs
D) with 1 finger or 2 thumbs
CORRECT ANSWER>>: C
What is the preferred technique for infant compressions when there
are 2 or more rescuers present?
A) 2 finger technique
B) 1 thumb-encircling hands technique
C) 1 finger technique
D) 2 thumb encircling hands technique
CORRECT ANSWER>>: D
What are the 4 universal steps for operation of an AED?
CORRECT ANSWER>>:
, 1. Turn on the AED
2. Attach pads to the patient
3. Analyze the heart rhythm
4. Deliver indicated shock
If the AED indicates no shock advised, what should be the next
action?
A) call for help
B) give 2 rescue breaths
C) analyze heart rhythm again
D) start chest compressions
CORRECT ANSWER>>: D
What does the A-B-C in the pediatric assessment triangle (PAT) stand
for?
CORRECT ANSWER>>:
Appearance
Work of breathing
Circulation
When is the pediatric assessment triangle (PAT) performed to
make an initial assessment? A) during the transfer of care
B) during the secondary assessment
C) during the primary assessment
D) during the "from the doorway" observation
CORRECT ANSWER>>: D
What sequence is used when caring for a seriously ill or injured child
to help determine the best treatment or intervention? The _______,
_______, ______ sequence
CORRECT ANSWER>>: Evaluate, identify, and intervene
The evaluate -identify-intervene sequence should be continued until
A) the child is stable
B) the child is ready for discharge
