AHA PALS EXAM 2025| ACTUAL EXAM QUESTIONS AND
ACCURATE ANSWERS|EXPERT VERIFIED FOR
GUARANTEED PASS|LATEST UPDATE
1. A 5-year-old child presents with lethargy, increased work of breathing, and pale color.
The primary assessment reveals:
• Airway: Open
• Respiratory Rate: 30/min with crackles
• Cardiac Monitor: Sinus tachycardia at 165/min
• Pulse Oximeter: SpO₂ of 95%, pulse rate (on the pulse ox) is 93/min
On the basis of this information, which of the following provides 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 administered
C. Unreliable; no supplementary oxygen is indicated
D. Unreliable; supplementary oxygen should be administered
Correct Answer: D. Unreliable; supplementary oxygen should be administered
Rationale: A discrepancy exists between the child’s measured heart rate on the cardiac monitor
(165/min) and the pulse oximeter’s displayed pulse rate (93/min). This mismatch suggests the
pulse oximeter reading (including the SpO₂) may be inaccurate. Given the child’s clinical
presentation (lethargy, increased WOB), providing supplemental oxygen is warranted until
reliable saturation readings confirm otherwise.
2. A 3-year-old child with leukemia on chemotherapy presents with lethargy and high fever.
• HR: 195/min
• RR: 36/min
• BP: 85/40 mm Hg
• Capillary refill: < 2 seconds
What is the child’s most likely condition?
A. Septic shock
B. Hypovolemic shock
C. Significant bradycardia
D. Cardiogenic shock
,Correct Answer: A. Septic shock
Rationale: Children with neutropenia or impaired immunity (e.g., leukemia on chemotherapy)
are at high risk for sepsis. Tachycardia, fever, and hypotension (or low-normal BP with signs of
poor perfusion) are hallmarks of septic shock.
3. A 2-week-old infant presents with irritability, poor feeding, and a blood pressure of 55/40
mm Hg. Which term best describes this infant’s blood pressure?
A. Hypotensive
B. Normal
C. Hypertensive
D. Compensated
Correct Answer: A. Hypotensive
Rationale: Normal systolic blood pressure for a neonate (0–28 days) is generally > 60 mm Hg. A
BP of 55/40 mm Hg in a 2-week-old is below the expected range, indicating hypotension.
4. During a resuscitation attempt, the team leader orders an initial dose of epinephrine at
0.1 mg/kg (instead of 0.01 mg/kg). What should the team member do?
A. Administer the drug as ordered
B. Administer 0.01 mg/kg of epinephrine
C. Respectfully ask the team leader to clarify the dose
D. Refuse to administer the drug
Correct Answer: C. Respectfully ask the team leader to clarify the dose
Rationale: The standard IV/IO dose of epinephrine for pediatric cardiac arrest is 0.01 mg/kg. If
an incorrect dose is ordered, it is the team member’s responsibility to verify and clarify before
administration to avoid potential harm.
5. Which of the following is a characteristic of respiratory failure?
A. Inadequate oxygenation and/or ventilation
B. Hypotension
C. An increase in serum pH (alkalosis)
D. Abnormal respiratory sounds
Correct Answer: A. Inadequate oxygenation and/or ventilation
Rationale: Respiratory failure is defined by the inability to maintain adequate oxygenation
and/or carbon dioxide removal. Hypotension and abnormal sounds can occur, but the hallmark is
inadequate oxygenation/ventilation.
, 6. Which of the following is most likely to produce a prolonged expiratory phase and
wheezing?
A. Disordered control of breathing
B. Hypovolemic shock
C. Lower airway obstruction
D. Upper airway obstruction
Correct Answer: C. Lower airway obstruction
Rationale: Prolonged expiratory phase and wheezing are classic signs of lower airway
obstruction, as seen in asthma or bronchiolitis.
7. A 4-year-old child presents with seizures and irregular respirations. The seizures stopped
a few minutes ago. Which is most likely to be abnormal?
A. Vascular resistance
B. Pulse rate
C. Lung compliance
D. Control of breathing
Correct Answer: D. Control of breathing
Rationale: Postictal states can affect respiratory drive and pattern, reflecting a temporary
abnormality in the neurological control of breathing.
8. What abnormality is most likely in children with acute respiratory distress caused by
lung tissue disease?
A. Decreased oxygen saturation
B. Stridor
C. Normal respiratory rate
D. Decreased respiratory effort
Correct Answer: A. Decreased oxygen saturation
Rationale: When lung parenchyma is diseased (e.g., pneumonia, ARDS), gas exchange is
impaired, leading to decreased SpO₂.
9. An alert 2-year-old child with increased work of breathing and pink color has:
• HR: 110/min
• RR: 30/min
What best describes this patient’s condition?
ACCURATE ANSWERS|EXPERT VERIFIED FOR
GUARANTEED PASS|LATEST UPDATE
1. A 5-year-old child presents with lethargy, increased work of breathing, and pale color.
The primary assessment reveals:
• Airway: Open
• Respiratory Rate: 30/min with crackles
• Cardiac Monitor: Sinus tachycardia at 165/min
• Pulse Oximeter: SpO₂ of 95%, pulse rate (on the pulse ox) is 93/min
On the basis of this information, which of the following provides 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 administered
C. Unreliable; no supplementary oxygen is indicated
D. Unreliable; supplementary oxygen should be administered
Correct Answer: D. Unreliable; supplementary oxygen should be administered
Rationale: A discrepancy exists between the child’s measured heart rate on the cardiac monitor
(165/min) and the pulse oximeter’s displayed pulse rate (93/min). This mismatch suggests the
pulse oximeter reading (including the SpO₂) may be inaccurate. Given the child’s clinical
presentation (lethargy, increased WOB), providing supplemental oxygen is warranted until
reliable saturation readings confirm otherwise.
2. A 3-year-old child with leukemia on chemotherapy presents with lethargy and high fever.
• HR: 195/min
• RR: 36/min
• BP: 85/40 mm Hg
• Capillary refill: < 2 seconds
What is the child’s most likely condition?
A. Septic shock
B. Hypovolemic shock
C. Significant bradycardia
D. Cardiogenic shock
,Correct Answer: A. Septic shock
Rationale: Children with neutropenia or impaired immunity (e.g., leukemia on chemotherapy)
are at high risk for sepsis. Tachycardia, fever, and hypotension (or low-normal BP with signs of
poor perfusion) are hallmarks of septic shock.
3. A 2-week-old infant presents with irritability, poor feeding, and a blood pressure of 55/40
mm Hg. Which term best describes this infant’s blood pressure?
A. Hypotensive
B. Normal
C. Hypertensive
D. Compensated
Correct Answer: A. Hypotensive
Rationale: Normal systolic blood pressure for a neonate (0–28 days) is generally > 60 mm Hg. A
BP of 55/40 mm Hg in a 2-week-old is below the expected range, indicating hypotension.
4. During a resuscitation attempt, the team leader orders an initial dose of epinephrine at
0.1 mg/kg (instead of 0.01 mg/kg). What should the team member do?
A. Administer the drug as ordered
B. Administer 0.01 mg/kg of epinephrine
C. Respectfully ask the team leader to clarify the dose
D. Refuse to administer the drug
Correct Answer: C. Respectfully ask the team leader to clarify the dose
Rationale: The standard IV/IO dose of epinephrine for pediatric cardiac arrest is 0.01 mg/kg. If
an incorrect dose is ordered, it is the team member’s responsibility to verify and clarify before
administration to avoid potential harm.
5. Which of the following is a characteristic of respiratory failure?
A. Inadequate oxygenation and/or ventilation
B. Hypotension
C. An increase in serum pH (alkalosis)
D. Abnormal respiratory sounds
Correct Answer: A. Inadequate oxygenation and/or ventilation
Rationale: Respiratory failure is defined by the inability to maintain adequate oxygenation
and/or carbon dioxide removal. Hypotension and abnormal sounds can occur, but the hallmark is
inadequate oxygenation/ventilation.
, 6. Which of the following is most likely to produce a prolonged expiratory phase and
wheezing?
A. Disordered control of breathing
B. Hypovolemic shock
C. Lower airway obstruction
D. Upper airway obstruction
Correct Answer: C. Lower airway obstruction
Rationale: Prolonged expiratory phase and wheezing are classic signs of lower airway
obstruction, as seen in asthma or bronchiolitis.
7. A 4-year-old child presents with seizures and irregular respirations. The seizures stopped
a few minutes ago. Which is most likely to be abnormal?
A. Vascular resistance
B. Pulse rate
C. Lung compliance
D. Control of breathing
Correct Answer: D. Control of breathing
Rationale: Postictal states can affect respiratory drive and pattern, reflecting a temporary
abnormality in the neurological control of breathing.
8. What abnormality is most likely in children with acute respiratory distress caused by
lung tissue disease?
A. Decreased oxygen saturation
B. Stridor
C. Normal respiratory rate
D. Decreased respiratory effort
Correct Answer: A. Decreased oxygen saturation
Rationale: When lung parenchyma is diseased (e.g., pneumonia, ARDS), gas exchange is
impaired, leading to decreased SpO₂.
9. An alert 2-year-old child with increased work of breathing and pink color has:
• HR: 110/min
• RR: 30/min
What best describes this patient’s condition?
