AHA PALS ACTUAL EXAM QUESTIONS AND CORRECT
DETAILED ANSWERS || LATEST 2024/2025
1. 1. A 5-year-old child presents with lethargy, increased Unreliable; supple-
work of breathing, and pale color. The primary assess- mentary oxygen
ment reveals that the airway is open and the respirato- should be adminis-
ry rate is 30/min, with crackles heard on auscultation. tered
The cardiac monitor shows sinus tachycardia at a rate
of 165/min. The pulse oximeter displays an oxygen
saturation of 95% and a pulse rate of 93/min. On the
basis of this information, which of the following pro-
vides the best interpretation of the oxygen saturation
of 95% by pulse oximetry?
A. Reliable; no supplementary oxygen is indicated B.
Reliable; supplementary oxygen should be adminis-
tered
C. Unreliable; no supplementary oxygen is indicated
D. Unreliable; supplementary oxygen should be ad-
ministered
2. 2. A 3-year-old child was recently diagnosed with Septic shock
leukemia and has been treated with chemotherapy.
The child presents with lethargy and a high fever.
Heart rate is 195/min, respiratory rate is 36/min, blood
pressure is 85/40 mm Hg, and capillary refill time is
less than 2 seconds. What is the child's most likely
condition?
A. Septic shock
B. Hypovolemic shock
C. Significant bradycardia
D. Cardiogenic shock
3. 3. A 2-week-old infant presents with irritability and a Hypotensive
history of poor feeding. Blood pressure is 55/40 mm
Hg. What term describes this infant's blood pressure?
A. Hypotensive
B. Normal
C. Hypertensive
D. Compensated
4. 4. During a resuscitation attempt, the team leader or-
ders an initial dose of epinephrine at 0.1 mg/kg to be
, AHA PALS ACTUAL EXAM QUESTIONS AND CORRECT
DETAILED ANSWERS || LATEST 2024/2025
given 10. What should the team member do? Respectfully ask
A. Administer the drug as ordered the team leader to
B. Administer 0.01 mg/kg of epinephrine clarify the dose
C. Respectfully ask the team leader to clarify the dose
D. Refuse to administer the drug
5. 5. Which of the following is a characteristic of respira- Inadequate oxy-
tory failure? genation and/or
A. Inadequate oxygenation and/or ventilation ventilation
B. Hypotension
C. An increase in serum pH (alkalosis)
D. Abnormal respiratory sounds
6. 6. Which of the following is most likely to produce a Lower airway ob-
prolonged expiratory phase and wheezing? struction
A. Disordered control of breathing
B. Hypovolemic shock
C. Lower airway obstruction
D. Upper airway obstruction
7. 7. A 4-year-old child presents with seizures and irreg- Control of breath-
ular respirations. The seizures stopped a few minutes ing
ago. Which of the following most likely to be abnor-
mal?
A. Vascular resistance
B. Pulse rate
C. Lung compliance
D. Control of breathing
8. 8. What abnormality is most likely to be present in Decreased oxy-
children with acute respiratory distress caused by gen saturation
lung tissue disease?
A. Decreased oxygen saturation
B. Stridor
C. Normal respiratory rate
D. Decreased respiratory effort
9. 9. An alert 2-year-old child with an increased work of Respiratory dis-
breathing and pink color is being evaluated. Heart rate tress
is 110/min, and respiratory rate is 30/min. What would
, AHA PALS ACTUAL EXAM QUESTIONS AND CORRECT
DETAILED ANSWERS || LATEST 2024/2025
best describe this patient's condition? A. Respiratory
distress
B. Respiratory arrest
C. Respiratory failure
D. Disordered control of breathing
10. 10. The parents of a 7-year-old child who is under- Obtain vascular
going chemotherapy report that the child has been access and admin-
febrile and has not been feeling well, with recent on- ister 20 mL/kg of
set of lethargy. Assessment reveals the following: The isotonic crystalloid
child is difficult to arouse, with pale color. The child's over 5 to 10 min-
heart rate is 160/min, respiratory rate is 30/min, blood utes
pressure is 76/45 mm Hg, capillary refill time is 5 to
6 seconds, and temperature is 103°F (39.4°C). What is
the most appropriate intervention?
A. Obtain vascular access and administer 20 mL/kg of
isotonic crystalloid over 30 minutes
B. Obtain vascular access and administer 20 mL/kg of
isotonic crystalloid over 5 to 10 minutes
C. Obtain immediate blood cultures and chest x-ray
D. Obtain expert consultation with an oncologist to
determine the chemotherapeutic regimen
11. 11. A 2-year-old child presents with a 4-day history Place an in-
of vomiting. The initial impression reveals an unre- traosseous line
sponsive child with intermittent apnea and mottled
color. Heart rate is 166/min, respiratory rate is now
being supported with bag-mask ventilation, capillary
refill time is 5 to 6 seconds, and temperature is 102°F
(38.9°C). What is the best method of establishing im-
mediate vascular access? A. Two providers may at-
tempt peripheral vascular access twice each
B. Three providers may attempt peripheral vascular
access once each
C. Place a central venous line
D. Place an intraosseous line
12. 12. What is the appropriate fluid bolus to administer 20 mL/kg normal
for a child with hypovolemic shock with adequate my- saline
DETAILED ANSWERS || LATEST 2024/2025
1. 1. A 5-year-old child presents with lethargy, increased Unreliable; supple-
work of breathing, and pale color. The primary assess- mentary oxygen
ment reveals that the airway is open and the respirato- should be adminis-
ry rate is 30/min, with crackles heard on auscultation. tered
The cardiac monitor shows sinus tachycardia at a rate
of 165/min. The pulse oximeter displays an oxygen
saturation of 95% and a pulse rate of 93/min. On the
basis of this information, which of the following pro-
vides the best interpretation of the oxygen saturation
of 95% by pulse oximetry?
A. Reliable; no supplementary oxygen is indicated B.
Reliable; supplementary oxygen should be adminis-
tered
C. Unreliable; no supplementary oxygen is indicated
D. Unreliable; supplementary oxygen should be ad-
ministered
2. 2. A 3-year-old child was recently diagnosed with Septic shock
leukemia and has been treated with chemotherapy.
The child presents with lethargy and a high fever.
Heart rate is 195/min, respiratory rate is 36/min, blood
pressure is 85/40 mm Hg, and capillary refill time is
less than 2 seconds. What is the child's most likely
condition?
A. Septic shock
B. Hypovolemic shock
C. Significant bradycardia
D. Cardiogenic shock
3. 3. A 2-week-old infant presents with irritability and a Hypotensive
history of poor feeding. Blood pressure is 55/40 mm
Hg. What term describes this infant's blood pressure?
A. Hypotensive
B. Normal
C. Hypertensive
D. Compensated
4. 4. During a resuscitation attempt, the team leader or-
ders an initial dose of epinephrine at 0.1 mg/kg to be
, AHA PALS ACTUAL EXAM QUESTIONS AND CORRECT
DETAILED ANSWERS || LATEST 2024/2025
given 10. What should the team member do? Respectfully ask
A. Administer the drug as ordered the team leader to
B. Administer 0.01 mg/kg of epinephrine clarify the dose
C. Respectfully ask the team leader to clarify the dose
D. Refuse to administer the drug
5. 5. Which of the following is a characteristic of respira- Inadequate oxy-
tory failure? genation and/or
A. Inadequate oxygenation and/or ventilation ventilation
B. Hypotension
C. An increase in serum pH (alkalosis)
D. Abnormal respiratory sounds
6. 6. Which of the following is most likely to produce a Lower airway ob-
prolonged expiratory phase and wheezing? struction
A. Disordered control of breathing
B. Hypovolemic shock
C. Lower airway obstruction
D. Upper airway obstruction
7. 7. A 4-year-old child presents with seizures and irreg- Control of breath-
ular respirations. The seizures stopped a few minutes ing
ago. Which of the following most likely to be abnor-
mal?
A. Vascular resistance
B. Pulse rate
C. Lung compliance
D. Control of breathing
8. 8. What abnormality is most likely to be present in Decreased oxy-
children with acute respiratory distress caused by gen saturation
lung tissue disease?
A. Decreased oxygen saturation
B. Stridor
C. Normal respiratory rate
D. Decreased respiratory effort
9. 9. An alert 2-year-old child with an increased work of Respiratory dis-
breathing and pink color is being evaluated. Heart rate tress
is 110/min, and respiratory rate is 30/min. What would
, AHA PALS ACTUAL EXAM QUESTIONS AND CORRECT
DETAILED ANSWERS || LATEST 2024/2025
best describe this patient's condition? A. Respiratory
distress
B. Respiratory arrest
C. Respiratory failure
D. Disordered control of breathing
10. 10. The parents of a 7-year-old child who is under- Obtain vascular
going chemotherapy report that the child has been access and admin-
febrile and has not been feeling well, with recent on- ister 20 mL/kg of
set of lethargy. Assessment reveals the following: The isotonic crystalloid
child is difficult to arouse, with pale color. The child's over 5 to 10 min-
heart rate is 160/min, respiratory rate is 30/min, blood utes
pressure is 76/45 mm Hg, capillary refill time is 5 to
6 seconds, and temperature is 103°F (39.4°C). What is
the most appropriate intervention?
A. Obtain vascular access and administer 20 mL/kg of
isotonic crystalloid over 30 minutes
B. Obtain vascular access and administer 20 mL/kg of
isotonic crystalloid over 5 to 10 minutes
C. Obtain immediate blood cultures and chest x-ray
D. Obtain expert consultation with an oncologist to
determine the chemotherapeutic regimen
11. 11. A 2-year-old child presents with a 4-day history Place an in-
of vomiting. The initial impression reveals an unre- traosseous line
sponsive child with intermittent apnea and mottled
color. Heart rate is 166/min, respiratory rate is now
being supported with bag-mask ventilation, capillary
refill time is 5 to 6 seconds, and temperature is 102°F
(38.9°C). What is the best method of establishing im-
mediate vascular access? A. Two providers may at-
tempt peripheral vascular access twice each
B. Three providers may attempt peripheral vascular
access once each
C. Place a central venous line
D. Place an intraosseous line
12. 12. What is the appropriate fluid bolus to administer 20 mL/kg normal
for a child with hypovolemic shock with adequate my- saline
