AHA PALS Practice exam / AHA PALS
Exam Questions & Answers 2024 /
2025 (Verified 100% Correct)
1. A 13-year-old patient with asthma just received oxygen and albuterol via a
nebulizer. What is the next most appropriate intervention?
A. Administer 0.1 mg/kg of adenosine
B. Obtain a blood sample to evaluate arterial or venous blood gases
C. Reassess breath sounds and clinical status
D. Repeat the albuterol treatment - ✔✔✔ANSWER-Reassess breath sounds and
clinical status
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 - ✔✔✔ANSWER-
Unreliable; supplementary oxygen should be administered
10. A 2-year-old child with a 2-day history of a barking cough presents with audible
stridor on inspiration, intercostal retractions, and agitation. What is the most
appropriate intervention for this child?
A. Lay the child flat on a stretcher
B. Suction the mouth and nose
C. Administer nebulized epinephrine
D. Administer inhaled albuterol - ✔✔✔ANSWER-Administer nebulized epinephrine
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
C. Obtain immediate blood cultures and chest x-ray D. Obtain expert consultation
with an oncologist to determine the chemotherapeutic regimen - ✔✔✔ANSWER-
Obtain vascular access and administer 20 mL/kg of isotonic crystalloid over 5 to 10
minutes
, 11. A 2-year-old child presents with a 4-day history of vomiting. The initial
impression reveals an unresponsive child with intermittent apnea and mottled
color. Heart rate is 166/min, respiratory rate is now being supported with bag-mask
ventilation, capillary refill time is 5 to 6 seconds, and temperature is 102°F
(38.9°C). What is the best method of establishing immediate vascular access? A.
Two providers may attempt peripheral vascular access twice each
B. Three providers may attempt peripheral vascular access once each
C. Place a central venous line
D. Place an intraosseous line - ✔✔✔ANSWER-Place an intraosseous line
11. Which of the following oxygen saturations indicates the need for additional
intervention?
A. 96% on room air
B. 95% on room air
C. 93% on 4 L of oxygen
D. 97% on 50% oxygen - ✔✔✔ANSWER-93% on 4 L of oxygen
12. A 3-year-old child presents with a 2-day history of nausea and vomiting. She is
alert, with no increase in respiratory effort, and is pale in color. The child's heart rate
is 160/min, respiratory rate is 40/min, and blood pressure is 100/70 mm Hg. Her
extremities are cool, with sluggish capillary refill. Which term best describes this
child's physiologic state?
A. Compensated shock
B. Cardiogenic shock
C. Hypotensive shock
D. Obstructive shock - ✔✔✔ANSWER-Compensated shock
Exam Questions & Answers 2024 /
2025 (Verified 100% Correct)
1. A 13-year-old patient with asthma just received oxygen and albuterol via a
nebulizer. What is the next most appropriate intervention?
A. Administer 0.1 mg/kg of adenosine
B. Obtain a blood sample to evaluate arterial or venous blood gases
C. Reassess breath sounds and clinical status
D. Repeat the albuterol treatment - ✔✔✔ANSWER-Reassess breath sounds and
clinical status
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 - ✔✔✔ANSWER-
Unreliable; supplementary oxygen should be administered
10. A 2-year-old child with a 2-day history of a barking cough presents with audible
stridor on inspiration, intercostal retractions, and agitation. What is the most
appropriate intervention for this child?
A. Lay the child flat on a stretcher
B. Suction the mouth and nose
C. Administer nebulized epinephrine
D. Administer inhaled albuterol - ✔✔✔ANSWER-Administer nebulized epinephrine
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
C. Obtain immediate blood cultures and chest x-ray D. Obtain expert consultation
with an oncologist to determine the chemotherapeutic regimen - ✔✔✔ANSWER-
Obtain vascular access and administer 20 mL/kg of isotonic crystalloid over 5 to 10
minutes
, 11. A 2-year-old child presents with a 4-day history of vomiting. The initial
impression reveals an unresponsive child with intermittent apnea and mottled
color. Heart rate is 166/min, respiratory rate is now being supported with bag-mask
ventilation, capillary refill time is 5 to 6 seconds, and temperature is 102°F
(38.9°C). What is the best method of establishing immediate vascular access? A.
Two providers may attempt peripheral vascular access twice each
B. Three providers may attempt peripheral vascular access once each
C. Place a central venous line
D. Place an intraosseous line - ✔✔✔ANSWER-Place an intraosseous line
11. Which of the following oxygen saturations indicates the need for additional
intervention?
A. 96% on room air
B. 95% on room air
C. 93% on 4 L of oxygen
D. 97% on 50% oxygen - ✔✔✔ANSWER-93% on 4 L of oxygen
12. A 3-year-old child presents with a 2-day history of nausea and vomiting. She is
alert, with no increase in respiratory effort, and is pale in color. The child's heart rate
is 160/min, respiratory rate is 40/min, and blood pressure is 100/70 mm Hg. Her
extremities are cool, with sluggish capillary refill. Which term best describes this
child's physiologic state?
A. Compensated shock
B. Cardiogenic shock
C. Hypotensive shock
D. Obstructive shock - ✔✔✔ANSWER-Compensated shock
