AHA PALS Practice Exam – 2025 Updated Questions & Verified Answers Pediatric
Advanced Life Support A+ Certified Prep
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 Unreliable; supplementary oxygen
should be administered << correct answer >>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 Septic shock << correct answer >>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 Hypotensive << correct answer >>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 Respectfully ask the team leader to clarify the dose << correct
answer >>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 Inadequate oxygenation and/or ventilation << correct answer >>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 Lower airway obstruction << correct answer >>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 Control of breathing << correct answer >>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 Decreased oxygen saturation << correct answer >>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
D. Disordered control of breathing Respiratory distress << correct answer >>10. 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?
A. Obtain vascular access and administer 20 mL/kg of isotonic crystalloid over 30 minutes
B. Obtain vascular access and administer 20 mL/kg of isotonic crystalloid over 5 to 10 minutes
Advanced Life Support A+ Certified Prep
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 Unreliable; supplementary oxygen
should be administered << correct answer >>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 Septic shock << correct answer >>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 Hypotensive << correct answer >>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 Respectfully ask the team leader to clarify the dose << correct
answer >>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 Inadequate oxygenation and/or ventilation << correct answer >>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 Lower airway obstruction << correct answer >>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 Control of breathing << correct answer >>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 Decreased oxygen saturation << correct answer >>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
D. Disordered control of breathing Respiratory distress << correct answer >>10. 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?
A. Obtain vascular access and administer 20 mL/kg of isotonic crystalloid over 30 minutes
B. Obtain vascular access and administer 20 mL/kg of isotonic crystalloid over 5 to 10 minutes
