AHA PALS EXAM 2026/2027 WITH VERIFIED QUESTINS AND
ANSWERS LATEST UPDATED
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 - CORRECT
ANSWER Unreliable; supplementary oxygen should be administered
,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 - CORRECT 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 - CORRECT 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 - CORRECT 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 - CORRECT 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 - CORRECT 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 - CORRECT 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 - CORRECT 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 - CORRECT ANSWER Respiratory distress
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 -
CORRECT 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
ANSWERS LATEST UPDATED
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 - CORRECT
ANSWER Unreliable; supplementary oxygen should be administered
,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 - CORRECT 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 - CORRECT 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 - CORRECT 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 - CORRECT 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 - CORRECT 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 - CORRECT 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 - CORRECT 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 - CORRECT ANSWER Respiratory distress
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 -
CORRECT 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
