2025/2026 AHA PALS PRACTICE EXAM
QUESTIONS AND CORRECT ANSWERS. 100%
VERIFIED LATEST 2025 UPDATE.
A 5-year-old child presents with lethargy, increased work of breathing, and pale color. The
primary assessment reveals that the airway is open and the respiratory rate is 30/min, with
crackles heard on auscultation. 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 provides the best interpretation of the
oxygen saturation of 95% by pulse oximetry?
- CORRECT ANSWER -Unreliable; supplementary oxygen should be administered
A 3-year-old child was recently diagnosed with 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?
- CORRECT ANSWER -Septic shock
A 2-week-old infant presents with irritability and a history of poor feeding. Blood pressure is
55/40 mm Hg. What term describes this infant's blood pressure?
- CORRECT ANSWER -Hypotensive
During a resuscitation attempt, the team leader orders an initial dose of epinephrine at
0.1 mg/kg to be given 10. What should the team member do?
– ANS ✔✔✔Respectfully ask the team leader to clarify the dose
Which of the following is a characteristic of respiratory failure?
– ANS ✔✔✔Inadequate oxygenation and/or ventilation
Which of the following is most likely to produce a prolonged expiratory phase and wheezing?
- CORRECT ANSWER -Lower airway obstruction
A 4-year-old child presents with seizures and irregular respirations. The seizures stopped a few
minutes ago. Which of the following most likely to be abnormal?
- CORRECT ANSWER -Control of breathing
What abnormality is most likely to be present in children with acute respiratory distress caused
by lung tissue disease?
- CORRECT ANSWER -Decreased oxygen saturation
An alert 2-year-old child with an increased work of breathing and pink color is being evaluated.
Heart rate is 110/min, and respiratory rate is 30/min. What would best describe this patient's
condition?
- CORRECT ANSWER -Respiratory distress
, The parents of a 7-year-old child who is undergoing chemotherapy report that the child has
been febrile and has not been feeling well, with recent onset of lethargy. Assessment reveals
the following: The child is difficult to arouse, with pale color. The child's heart rate is 160/min,
respiratory rate is 30/min, blood 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?
- CORRECT ANSWER -Obtain vascular access and administer 20 mL/kg of isotonic crystalloid
over 5 to 10 minutes
A 2-year-old child presents with a 4-day history of vomiting. The initial impression reveals an
unresponsive 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 immediate vascular
access?
- CORRECT ANSWER -Place an intraosseous line
What is the appropriate fluid bolus to administer for a child with hypovolemic shock with
adequate myocardial function?
- CORRECT ANSWER -20 mL/kg normal saline
An alert toddler presents with a barking cough, moderate stridor, and moderate retractions. The
child's color is pink. What is the most appropriate initial intervention?
- CORRECT ANSWER -Administer nebulized epinephrine
An 8-year-old child presents with a history of vomiting and diarrhea. The child has the following
vital signs: heart rate 168/min, respiratory rate 15/min, blood pressure 9060 mm Hg, and
temperature 98.6°F (37°C). The child's capillary refill time is 4 seconds. After 2 IV boluses of
normal saline (20 mL/kg each), the child's vital signs are now as follows: heart rate 130/min,
respiratory rate 16/min, blood pressure 94/62 mm Hg, capillary refill 2 seconds, and temperature
98.6°F (37°C). The child's urine output is 1 to 2 mL/kg in the past hour. The child is still
lethargic. What diagnostic tests or information should be obtained first?
- CORRECT ANSWER -Glucose
A 15-year-old boy presents with acute onset of severe respiratory distress, with retractions and
an oxygen saturation of 85%. His trachea is deviated to the right, and there are no breath
sounds on the left. His heart rate is 140/min, his blood pressure is 84/60 mm Hg, and his
capillary refill time is 3 seconds. What is the most appropriate intervention?
- CORRECT ANSWER -Perform needle decompression on the left chest
A 4-year-old is being treated for hypovolemic shock and has received a single fluid bolus of 20
mL/kg of normal saline. On reevaluation the child remains anxious, with a heart rate of 140/min,
a blood pressure of 84/54 mm Hg, and a capillary refill time of 4 seconds. What describes this
patient's condition?
- CORRECT ANSWER -Compensated shock
An 8-year-old child had a sudden onset of palpitations and light-headedness. At the time of
evaluation, the child is alert. His respiratory rate is 26/ min, and his blood pressure is 104/70
mm Hg. A cardiac monitor is applied, and the rhythm below is noted. What is the most
appropriate initial intervention?
- CORRECT ANSWER -Attempt vagal maneuvers
QUESTIONS AND CORRECT ANSWERS. 100%
VERIFIED LATEST 2025 UPDATE.
A 5-year-old child presents with lethargy, increased work of breathing, and pale color. The
primary assessment reveals that the airway is open and the respiratory rate is 30/min, with
crackles heard on auscultation. 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 provides the best interpretation of the
oxygen saturation of 95% by pulse oximetry?
- CORRECT ANSWER -Unreliable; supplementary oxygen should be administered
A 3-year-old child was recently diagnosed with 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?
- CORRECT ANSWER -Septic shock
A 2-week-old infant presents with irritability and a history of poor feeding. Blood pressure is
55/40 mm Hg. What term describes this infant's blood pressure?
- CORRECT ANSWER -Hypotensive
During a resuscitation attempt, the team leader orders an initial dose of epinephrine at
0.1 mg/kg to be given 10. What should the team member do?
– ANS ✔✔✔Respectfully ask the team leader to clarify the dose
Which of the following is a characteristic of respiratory failure?
– ANS ✔✔✔Inadequate oxygenation and/or ventilation
Which of the following is most likely to produce a prolonged expiratory phase and wheezing?
- CORRECT ANSWER -Lower airway obstruction
A 4-year-old child presents with seizures and irregular respirations. The seizures stopped a few
minutes ago. Which of the following most likely to be abnormal?
- CORRECT ANSWER -Control of breathing
What abnormality is most likely to be present in children with acute respiratory distress caused
by lung tissue disease?
- CORRECT ANSWER -Decreased oxygen saturation
An alert 2-year-old child with an increased work of breathing and pink color is being evaluated.
Heart rate is 110/min, and respiratory rate is 30/min. What would best describe this patient's
condition?
- CORRECT ANSWER -Respiratory distress
, The parents of a 7-year-old child who is undergoing chemotherapy report that the child has
been febrile and has not been feeling well, with recent onset of lethargy. Assessment reveals
the following: The child is difficult to arouse, with pale color. The child's heart rate is 160/min,
respiratory rate is 30/min, blood 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?
- CORRECT ANSWER -Obtain vascular access and administer 20 mL/kg of isotonic crystalloid
over 5 to 10 minutes
A 2-year-old child presents with a 4-day history of vomiting. The initial impression reveals an
unresponsive 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 immediate vascular
access?
- CORRECT ANSWER -Place an intraosseous line
What is the appropriate fluid bolus to administer for a child with hypovolemic shock with
adequate myocardial function?
- CORRECT ANSWER -20 mL/kg normal saline
An alert toddler presents with a barking cough, moderate stridor, and moderate retractions. The
child's color is pink. What is the most appropriate initial intervention?
- CORRECT ANSWER -Administer nebulized epinephrine
An 8-year-old child presents with a history of vomiting and diarrhea. The child has the following
vital signs: heart rate 168/min, respiratory rate 15/min, blood pressure 9060 mm Hg, and
temperature 98.6°F (37°C). The child's capillary refill time is 4 seconds. After 2 IV boluses of
normal saline (20 mL/kg each), the child's vital signs are now as follows: heart rate 130/min,
respiratory rate 16/min, blood pressure 94/62 mm Hg, capillary refill 2 seconds, and temperature
98.6°F (37°C). The child's urine output is 1 to 2 mL/kg in the past hour. The child is still
lethargic. What diagnostic tests or information should be obtained first?
- CORRECT ANSWER -Glucose
A 15-year-old boy presents with acute onset of severe respiratory distress, with retractions and
an oxygen saturation of 85%. His trachea is deviated to the right, and there are no breath
sounds on the left. His heart rate is 140/min, his blood pressure is 84/60 mm Hg, and his
capillary refill time is 3 seconds. What is the most appropriate intervention?
- CORRECT ANSWER -Perform needle decompression on the left chest
A 4-year-old is being treated for hypovolemic shock and has received a single fluid bolus of 20
mL/kg of normal saline. On reevaluation the child remains anxious, with a heart rate of 140/min,
a blood pressure of 84/54 mm Hg, and a capillary refill time of 4 seconds. What describes this
patient's condition?
- CORRECT ANSWER -Compensated shock
An 8-year-old child had a sudden onset of palpitations and light-headedness. At the time of
evaluation, the child is alert. His respiratory rate is 26/ min, and his blood pressure is 104/70
mm Hg. A cardiac monitor is applied, and the rhythm below is noted. What is the most
appropriate initial intervention?
- CORRECT ANSWER -Attempt vagal maneuvers
