PALS PreTest questions and answers 2025\2026
A+ grade
You are called to help treat an infant with severe symptomatic bradycardia (heart rate 66/min)
associated with respiratory distress. The bradycardia persists despite establishment of an effective
airway, oxygenation, and ventilation. There is no heart block present. Which is the first drug you should
administer?
- correct answer Epinephrine
Initial impression of a 2yo girl shows her to be alert with mild breathing difficulty during inspiration and
pale skin color. On primary assessment, she makes high-pitched inspiratory sounds (mild stridor) when
agitated; otherwise, her breathing is quiet. Her spO2 is 92% on room air, and she has mild inspiratory
intercostal retractions. Lung auscultation reveals transmitted upper airway sounds with adequate distal
breath sounds bilaterally. Which is the most appropriate initial intervention for this child?
- correct answer Humidified oxygen as tolerated
You are part of a team attempting to resuscitate a child with ventricular fibrillation cardiac arrest. You
delivered 2 unsynchronized shocks. A team member established IO access, so you give a dose of
epinephrine, 0.01 mg/kg IO. At the next rhythm check, persistent ventricular fibrillation is present. You
administer a 4 J/kg shock and resume CPR. Which drug and dose should be administered next?
- correct answer Amiodarone 5 mg/kg IO
Which statement is correct about the effects of epinephrine during attempted resuscitation?
- correct answer Epinephrine stimulates spontaneous contractions when asystole is present
A previously healthy infant with a history of vomiting and diarrhea is brought to the emergency
department by her parents. During your assessment, you find that the infant responds only to painful
stimulation.
- correct answer Administer a bolus of isotonic crystalloid 20 ml/kg over 5-20 minutes, and also give
D25W 2-4 ml/kg IV
, Which statement is correct about endotracheal drug administration during resuscitative efforts for
pediatric patients?
- correct answer It is the least desirable route of administration
Which statement is correct about the use of calcium chloride in pediatric patients?
- correct answer Routine administration is not indicated during cardiac arrest
A 9yo boy is agitated and leaning forward on the bed in obvious respiratory distress.
- correct answer Albuterol
Which oxygen delivery system most reliably delivers a high (90% or greater) concentration of inspired
oxygen to a 7yo child?
- correct answer Nonrebreathing face mask
Paramedics are called to the home of a 1yo child. Their initial assessment reveals a child who responds
only to painful stimuli and has irregular breathing, faint central pulses, bruises over the abdomen,
abdominal distention, and cyanosis
- correct answer Rapid bolus of 20ml/kg of isotonic crystalloid
A 7yo boy is found unresponsive, apneic, and pulseless. CPR is ongoing
- correct answer Identify and treat reversible causes
You are preparing to use a manual defibrillator in the pediatric setting. Which best describes when it is
appropriate to use the smaller, pediatric-sized paddles?
- correct answer If the child weighs less than 10kg or is less than 1 year old
What compression-to-ventilation ratio should be used for 2-rescuer infant CPR?
- correct answer 15 compressions to 2 breaths
You find an infant who is unresponsive, is not breathing, and does not have a pulse. You shout for
nearby help, but no one arrives. What action should you take next?
- correct answer Provide CPR for about 2 minutes before leaving to activate the emergency response
system
A+ grade
You are called to help treat an infant with severe symptomatic bradycardia (heart rate 66/min)
associated with respiratory distress. The bradycardia persists despite establishment of an effective
airway, oxygenation, and ventilation. There is no heart block present. Which is the first drug you should
administer?
- correct answer Epinephrine
Initial impression of a 2yo girl shows her to be alert with mild breathing difficulty during inspiration and
pale skin color. On primary assessment, she makes high-pitched inspiratory sounds (mild stridor) when
agitated; otherwise, her breathing is quiet. Her spO2 is 92% on room air, and she has mild inspiratory
intercostal retractions. Lung auscultation reveals transmitted upper airway sounds with adequate distal
breath sounds bilaterally. Which is the most appropriate initial intervention for this child?
- correct answer Humidified oxygen as tolerated
You are part of a team attempting to resuscitate a child with ventricular fibrillation cardiac arrest. You
delivered 2 unsynchronized shocks. A team member established IO access, so you give a dose of
epinephrine, 0.01 mg/kg IO. At the next rhythm check, persistent ventricular fibrillation is present. You
administer a 4 J/kg shock and resume CPR. Which drug and dose should be administered next?
- correct answer Amiodarone 5 mg/kg IO
Which statement is correct about the effects of epinephrine during attempted resuscitation?
- correct answer Epinephrine stimulates spontaneous contractions when asystole is present
A previously healthy infant with a history of vomiting and diarrhea is brought to the emergency
department by her parents. During your assessment, you find that the infant responds only to painful
stimulation.
- correct answer Administer a bolus of isotonic crystalloid 20 ml/kg over 5-20 minutes, and also give
D25W 2-4 ml/kg IV
, Which statement is correct about endotracheal drug administration during resuscitative efforts for
pediatric patients?
- correct answer It is the least desirable route of administration
Which statement is correct about the use of calcium chloride in pediatric patients?
- correct answer Routine administration is not indicated during cardiac arrest
A 9yo boy is agitated and leaning forward on the bed in obvious respiratory distress.
- correct answer Albuterol
Which oxygen delivery system most reliably delivers a high (90% or greater) concentration of inspired
oxygen to a 7yo child?
- correct answer Nonrebreathing face mask
Paramedics are called to the home of a 1yo child. Their initial assessment reveals a child who responds
only to painful stimuli and has irregular breathing, faint central pulses, bruises over the abdomen,
abdominal distention, and cyanosis
- correct answer Rapid bolus of 20ml/kg of isotonic crystalloid
A 7yo boy is found unresponsive, apneic, and pulseless. CPR is ongoing
- correct answer Identify and treat reversible causes
You are preparing to use a manual defibrillator in the pediatric setting. Which best describes when it is
appropriate to use the smaller, pediatric-sized paddles?
- correct answer If the child weighs less than 10kg or is less than 1 year old
What compression-to-ventilation ratio should be used for 2-rescuer infant CPR?
- correct answer 15 compressions to 2 breaths
You find an infant who is unresponsive, is not breathing, and does not have a pulse. You shout for
nearby help, but no one arrives. What action should you take next?
- correct answer Provide CPR for about 2 minutes before leaving to activate the emergency response
system
