AHA PALS PRACTICE EXAM WITH
CORRECT ANSWERS 2025
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 answers >> 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?
A. Septic shock
B. Hypovolemic shock
C. Significant bradycardia
D. Cardiogenic shock correct answers >> 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 answers >> 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 answers >>
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
B. Hypotension
C. An increase in serum pH (alkalosis)
D. Abnormal respiratory sounds correct answers >>
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 answers >> 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 answers >> 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
C. Normal respiratory rate
D. Decreased respiratory effort correct answers >>
Decreased oxygen saturation
9. 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? A. Respiratory distress
B. Respiratory arrest
C. Respiratory failure
CORRECT ANSWERS 2025
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 answers >> 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?
A. Septic shock
B. Hypovolemic shock
C. Significant bradycardia
D. Cardiogenic shock correct answers >> 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 answers >> 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 answers >>
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
B. Hypotension
C. An increase in serum pH (alkalosis)
D. Abnormal respiratory sounds correct answers >>
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 answers >> 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 answers >> 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
C. Normal respiratory rate
D. Decreased respiratory effort correct answers >>
Decreased oxygen saturation
9. 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? A. Respiratory distress
B. Respiratory arrest
C. Respiratory failure
