PALS 2025 Heartcode Exam Questions
With All Correct Answers (A+ Pass)
What is the priority in initially managing arrhythmias? - Answers - ✔✔The initial
management of both stable and unstable arrhythmias are identical to the treatment for
any critically-ill child. Begin with the support of the airway, breathing, and circulation and
treating the underlying cause of the arrhythmia.
What are the causes of secondary bradycardia? - Answers - ✔✔Hypoxia, hypotension,
hypothermia, acidosis, drugs.
What are the causes of primary bradycardia? - Answers - ✔✔Congenital or acquired
heart conditions.
What are the ECG characteristics of bradycardia? - Answers - ✔✔P wave and QRS
may be unrelated.
Heart rate slow for age.
QRS may be narrow or wide.
In what patients would asymptomatic bradycardia not be problematic? - Answers - ✔✔A
well-conditioned athlete.
A healthy child who is sleeping.
Define bradycardia. - Answers - ✔✔A heart rate that is:
- slow for normal range
- activity
- clinical condition
What is the leading cause of symptomatic bradycardia? - Answers - ✔✔Tissue hypoxia.
What is the dose for epinephrine? - Answers - ✔✔Epinephrine every 3-5 mins
- 0.01 mg/kg IV
- 0.1 mg/kg ETT
In what conditions is atropine preferred over epinephrine as 1st choice treatment of
symptomatic bradycardia? - Answers - ✔✔When the bradycardia is due to:
- excessive vagal tone
- cholinergic drug toxicity, e.g. organophosphates
- complete AV block (primary bradycardia)
What is the dose for atropine? - Answers - ✔✔Atropine 0.02 mg/kg IV
With All Correct Answers (A+ Pass)
What is the priority in initially managing arrhythmias? - Answers - ✔✔The initial
management of both stable and unstable arrhythmias are identical to the treatment for
any critically-ill child. Begin with the support of the airway, breathing, and circulation and
treating the underlying cause of the arrhythmia.
What are the causes of secondary bradycardia? - Answers - ✔✔Hypoxia, hypotension,
hypothermia, acidosis, drugs.
What are the causes of primary bradycardia? - Answers - ✔✔Congenital or acquired
heart conditions.
What are the ECG characteristics of bradycardia? - Answers - ✔✔P wave and QRS
may be unrelated.
Heart rate slow for age.
QRS may be narrow or wide.
In what patients would asymptomatic bradycardia not be problematic? - Answers - ✔✔A
well-conditioned athlete.
A healthy child who is sleeping.
Define bradycardia. - Answers - ✔✔A heart rate that is:
- slow for normal range
- activity
- clinical condition
What is the leading cause of symptomatic bradycardia? - Answers - ✔✔Tissue hypoxia.
What is the dose for epinephrine? - Answers - ✔✔Epinephrine every 3-5 mins
- 0.01 mg/kg IV
- 0.1 mg/kg ETT
In what conditions is atropine preferred over epinephrine as 1st choice treatment of
symptomatic bradycardia? - Answers - ✔✔When the bradycardia is due to:
- excessive vagal tone
- cholinergic drug toxicity, e.g. organophosphates
- complete AV block (primary bradycardia)
What is the dose for atropine? - Answers - ✔✔Atropine 0.02 mg/kg IV
