AHA PALS EXAM QUESTIONS & ANSWERS |
2025/2026
American Heart Association Pediatric Advanced Life Support Exam with Complete Questions & 100%
Verified Correct Answers
Overview
This 2025/2026 updated resource contains actual American Heart Association Pediatric Advanced
Life Support (PALS) Provider Exam with exact 50 questions and 100% verified correct answers,
following current AHA PALS Provider Manual guidelines and the 2025 AHA Guidelines Update for CPR
and Emergency Cardiovascular Care.
Key Features
✓ Actual AHA PALS exam format with official 50 questions
✓ 100% verified correct answers with detailed rationales
✓ Complete coverage of pediatric assessment, respiratory, and cardiac emergencies
✓ Updated 2025 AHA guidelines for pediatric resuscitation
✓ Pediatric-specific medication dosages and equipment sizes
✓ Rhythm recognition and megacode scenarios included
Core Content Areas (50 Total Questions)
Pediatric Systematic Assessment & BLS (10 Qs)
Respiratory Emergencies & Management (12 Qs)
Shock Recognition & Fluid Resuscitation (10 Qs)
Cardiac Arrest Rhythms & Megacode Protocols (10 Qs)
Post-Cardiac Arrest Care & Team Dynamics (8 Qs)
Answer Format
Correct answers are marked in bold green and include:
● Specific 2025 AHA PALS algorithm references
, ● Weight-based medication calculations (mg/kg) with examples
● Pediatric Broselow Tape/Length-Based Tape applications
● Rhythm strip identification for pediatric-specific dysrhythmias
● Team role clarifications during pediatric resuscitation
Updates for 2025/2026
🔹 Reflects 2025 AHA Guidelines Update for CPR and ECC
🔹 Updated pediatric sepsis and septic shock protocols
🔹 New emphasis on opioid overdose response in pediatric patients
🔹 Revised fluid resuscitation guidelines for different shock types
🔹 Enhanced drowning and hypothermia resuscitation protocols
🔹 Updated electrical therapy energy doses for pediatric patients
AHA PALS Provider Exam: Questions and
Answers
Section 1: Pediatric Systematic Assessment & BLS (10
Questions)
1. A 6-month-old infant is brought to the emergency department for lethargy. The PALS provider
performs a rapid assessment using the Pediatric Assessment Triangle. Which component of the triangle is
most immediately concerning?
A. The infant's work of breathing is moderate with nasal flaring.
B. The infant's skin color is pale.
C. The infant's appearance is listless, with no eye contact.
D. The infant's circulation is warm with brisk capillary refill.
, The Pediatric Assessment Triangle (Appearance, Work of Breathing, Circulation) allows for rapid, non-invasive
assessment. While all components are important, the "Appearance" component (including tone, interactiveness,
consolability, look/gaze) is the most sensitive indicator of overall central nervous system function and critical
illness. A listless infant with no eye contact (C) signifies a significant alteration in mental status and is a
high-priority finding requiring immediate evaluation and intervention, more so than the other findings which are
less acute.
2. A lone healthcare provider finds a 3-year-old child unresponsive on a playground. After confirming the
scene is safe, what is the provider's first action?
A. Check for a carotid pulse.
B. Check for responsiveness and breathing.
C. Begin chest compressions.
D. Activate the emergency response system and get an AED.
The BLS sequence for all ages begins with checking for responsiveness and breathing simultaneously. For a child or
infant, if the provider is alone, they should provide 2 minutes of CPR before activating the emergency response
system and getting an AED. However, the absolute first step is to assess responsiveness and breathing (B) to
determine if CPR is needed. Checking for a pulse (A) is done after checking for breathing if the infant/child is
unresponsive and not breathing normally. Activating EMS (D) is done after starting CPR for a lone provider.
3. A team is performing CPR on a 4-year-old child. The child's weight is estimated to be 20 kg. Which
depth of chest compressions is recommended for this child?
A. At least 1 inch (2.5 cm)
B. At least 1.5 inches (4 cm)
C. About 2 inches (5 cm)
D. At least one-third the anterior-posterior diameter of the chest
2025/2026
American Heart Association Pediatric Advanced Life Support Exam with Complete Questions & 100%
Verified Correct Answers
Overview
This 2025/2026 updated resource contains actual American Heart Association Pediatric Advanced
Life Support (PALS) Provider Exam with exact 50 questions and 100% verified correct answers,
following current AHA PALS Provider Manual guidelines and the 2025 AHA Guidelines Update for CPR
and Emergency Cardiovascular Care.
Key Features
✓ Actual AHA PALS exam format with official 50 questions
✓ 100% verified correct answers with detailed rationales
✓ Complete coverage of pediatric assessment, respiratory, and cardiac emergencies
✓ Updated 2025 AHA guidelines for pediatric resuscitation
✓ Pediatric-specific medication dosages and equipment sizes
✓ Rhythm recognition and megacode scenarios included
Core Content Areas (50 Total Questions)
Pediatric Systematic Assessment & BLS (10 Qs)
Respiratory Emergencies & Management (12 Qs)
Shock Recognition & Fluid Resuscitation (10 Qs)
Cardiac Arrest Rhythms & Megacode Protocols (10 Qs)
Post-Cardiac Arrest Care & Team Dynamics (8 Qs)
Answer Format
Correct answers are marked in bold green and include:
● Specific 2025 AHA PALS algorithm references
, ● Weight-based medication calculations (mg/kg) with examples
● Pediatric Broselow Tape/Length-Based Tape applications
● Rhythm strip identification for pediatric-specific dysrhythmias
● Team role clarifications during pediatric resuscitation
Updates for 2025/2026
🔹 Reflects 2025 AHA Guidelines Update for CPR and ECC
🔹 Updated pediatric sepsis and septic shock protocols
🔹 New emphasis on opioid overdose response in pediatric patients
🔹 Revised fluid resuscitation guidelines for different shock types
🔹 Enhanced drowning and hypothermia resuscitation protocols
🔹 Updated electrical therapy energy doses for pediatric patients
AHA PALS Provider Exam: Questions and
Answers
Section 1: Pediatric Systematic Assessment & BLS (10
Questions)
1. A 6-month-old infant is brought to the emergency department for lethargy. The PALS provider
performs a rapid assessment using the Pediatric Assessment Triangle. Which component of the triangle is
most immediately concerning?
A. The infant's work of breathing is moderate with nasal flaring.
B. The infant's skin color is pale.
C. The infant's appearance is listless, with no eye contact.
D. The infant's circulation is warm with brisk capillary refill.
, The Pediatric Assessment Triangle (Appearance, Work of Breathing, Circulation) allows for rapid, non-invasive
assessment. While all components are important, the "Appearance" component (including tone, interactiveness,
consolability, look/gaze) is the most sensitive indicator of overall central nervous system function and critical
illness. A listless infant with no eye contact (C) signifies a significant alteration in mental status and is a
high-priority finding requiring immediate evaluation and intervention, more so than the other findings which are
less acute.
2. A lone healthcare provider finds a 3-year-old child unresponsive on a playground. After confirming the
scene is safe, what is the provider's first action?
A. Check for a carotid pulse.
B. Check for responsiveness and breathing.
C. Begin chest compressions.
D. Activate the emergency response system and get an AED.
The BLS sequence for all ages begins with checking for responsiveness and breathing simultaneously. For a child or
infant, if the provider is alone, they should provide 2 minutes of CPR before activating the emergency response
system and getting an AED. However, the absolute first step is to assess responsiveness and breathing (B) to
determine if CPR is needed. Checking for a pulse (A) is done after checking for breathing if the infant/child is
unresponsive and not breathing normally. Activating EMS (D) is done after starting CPR for a lone provider.
3. A team is performing CPR on a 4-year-old child. The child's weight is estimated to be 20 kg. Which
depth of chest compressions is recommended for this child?
A. At least 1 inch (2.5 cm)
B. At least 1.5 inches (4 cm)
C. About 2 inches (5 cm)
D. At least one-third the anterior-posterior diameter of the chest
