AHA PALS Practice Exam Question & Answers
Perfectly A+ Grade (2026 Newest Updated
Versions)
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 - 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 - 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 - Hypotensive
pg. 1
,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 - 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 - 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 - Lower airway
obstruction
7. A 4-year-old child presents with seizures and irregular respirations. The
seizures
pg. 2
, 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 - 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 - 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'sA. Respiratory
condition? distress
B. Respiratory
arrest
C. Respiratory
failure
D. Disordered control of breathing - 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
pg. 3
Perfectly A+ Grade (2026 Newest Updated
Versions)
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 - 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 - 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 - Hypotensive
pg. 1
,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 - 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 - 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 - Lower airway
obstruction
7. A 4-year-old child presents with seizures and irregular respirations. The
seizures
pg. 2
, 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 - 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 - 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'sA. Respiratory
condition? distress
B. Respiratory
arrest
C. Respiratory
failure
D. Disordered control of breathing - 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
pg. 3
