AHA PALS Practice exam 2025
Questions and Answers
1. 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?
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✔️✔️-Unreliable;
supplementary oxygen should be administered
2. 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?
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,A. Septic shock
B. Hypovolemic shock
C. Significant bradycardia
D. Cardiogenic shock - Correct Answer✔️✔️-Septic shock
3. 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?
A. Hypotensive
B. Normal
C. Hypertensive
D. Compensated - Correct Answer✔️✔️-Hypotensive
4. 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?
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✔️✔️-Respectfully ask the team leader to clarify
the dose
5. Which of the following is a characteristic of respiratory failure?
A. Inadequate oxygenation and/or ventilation
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, B. Hypotension
C. An increase in serum pH (alkalosis)
D. Abnormal respiratory sounds - Correct Answer✔️✔️-Inadequate oxygenation and/or
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✔️✔️-Lower airway obstruction
7. 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?
A. Vascular resistance
B. Pulse rate
C. Lung compliance
D. Control of breathing - Correct Answer✔️✔️-Control of breathing
8. What abnormality is most likely to be present in children with acute respiratory distress caused by
lung tissue disease?
A. Decreased oxygen saturation
B. Stridor
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Questions and Answers
1. 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?
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✔️✔️-Unreliable;
supplementary oxygen should be administered
2. 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?
FOR STUDY PURPOSES ONLY COPYRIGHT © 2025 ALL RIGHTS RESERVED 1
,A. Septic shock
B. Hypovolemic shock
C. Significant bradycardia
D. Cardiogenic shock - Correct Answer✔️✔️-Septic shock
3. 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?
A. Hypotensive
B. Normal
C. Hypertensive
D. Compensated - Correct Answer✔️✔️-Hypotensive
4. 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?
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✔️✔️-Respectfully ask the team leader to clarify
the dose
5. Which of the following is a characteristic of respiratory failure?
A. Inadequate oxygenation and/or ventilation
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, B. Hypotension
C. An increase in serum pH (alkalosis)
D. Abnormal respiratory sounds - Correct Answer✔️✔️-Inadequate oxygenation and/or
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✔️✔️-Lower airway obstruction
7. 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?
A. Vascular resistance
B. Pulse rate
C. Lung compliance
D. Control of breathing - Correct Answer✔️✔️-Control of breathing
8. What abnormality is most likely to be present in children with acute respiratory distress caused by
lung tissue disease?
A. Decreased oxygen saturation
B. Stridor
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