AHA PALS STUDY GUIDE EXAM 2026
QUESTIONS WITH SOLUTIONS GRADED A+
◉ 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. 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. 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. 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
B. Hypotension
C. An increase in serum pH (alkalosis)
D. Abnormal respiratory sounds. 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. 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. 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
C. Normal respiratory rate
D. Decreased respiratory effort. Answer: 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
D. Disordered control of breathing. Answer: Respiratory distress
QUESTIONS WITH SOLUTIONS GRADED A+
◉ 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. 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. 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. 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
B. Hypotension
C. An increase in serum pH (alkalosis)
D. Abnormal respiratory sounds. 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. 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. 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
C. Normal respiratory rate
D. Decreased respiratory effort. Answer: 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
D. Disordered control of breathing. Answer: Respiratory distress
