California Pediatric Advanced Life Support
(PALS) Certification Exam Practice Test
Questions And Correct Answers (Verified
Answers) Plus Rationales 2026 Q&A |
Instant Download Pdf
1. What is the initial energy dose for defibrillation in a pediatric patient
with pulseless VT/VF?
A. 0.5 J/kg
B. 1 J/kg
C. 2 J/kg
D. 4 J/kg
The recommended initial defibrillation dose for children is 2 J/kg for
pulseless VT/VF, followed by 4 J/kg if needed.
2. Which sign most reliably indicates poor perfusion in infants and
children?
A. Cyanosis
B. Tachycardia
C. Weak peripheral pulses
D. Altered mental status
Altered mental status reflects poor cerebral perfusion and is a critical
sign of inadequate circulation.
,3. What is the most appropriate next step after delivering a shock to a
pediatric patient in VF?
A. Check pulse
B. Administer epinephrine
C. Resume CPR immediately
D. Give amiodarone
High-quality CPR should be resumed immediately after defibrillation
without checking pulse to maintain perfusion.
4. In the PALS algorithm, which medication is first-line for bradycardia
with poor perfusion?
A. Amiodarone
B. Epinephrine
C. Adenosine
D. Lidocaine
Epinephrine is used for symptomatic bradycardia when there is
evidence of poor perfusion.
5. What is the compression-to-breaths ratio for two-rescuer CPR in a
child?
A. 15:2
B. 15:2
C. 30:2
D. 5:1
For infants and children with two-rescuer CPR, the ratio is 15:2 to
optimize ventilation and circulation.
6. Which condition is an indication for synchronized cardioversion in a
pediatric patient?
A. Asystole
B. Pulseless VT
C. Unstable SVT
, D. Bradycardia
Unstable supraventricular tachycardia (SVT) with symptoms like
hypotension or altered consciousness requires synchronized
cardioversion.
7. What is the recommended dose of epinephrine in cardiac arrest?
A. 0.01 mg/kg of 1:10,000
B. 0.01 mg/kg of 1:10,000
C. 0.1 mg/kg of 1:1,000
D. 0.1 mg/kg of 1:10,000
In cardiac arrest, epinephrine 0.01 mg/kg (1:10,000 concentration) is
administered IV/IO every 3–5 minutes.
8. What is the most common cause of cardiac arrest in children?
A. Congenital heart defects
B. Respiratory failure
C. Arrhythmias
D. Hypovolemia
Most pediatric cardiac arrests are secondary to respiratory failure or
shock.
9. Which rhythm requires immediate defibrillation?
A. Asystole
B. PEA
C. Bradycardia
D. Ventricular fibrillation
Ventricular fibrillation is a shockable rhythm that requires immediate
defibrillation.
10. During a resuscitation attempt, a child is in SVT with poor
perfusion. What is the next step?
A. Try vagal maneuvers
B. Synchronized cardioversion
(PALS) Certification Exam Practice Test
Questions And Correct Answers (Verified
Answers) Plus Rationales 2026 Q&A |
Instant Download Pdf
1. What is the initial energy dose for defibrillation in a pediatric patient
with pulseless VT/VF?
A. 0.5 J/kg
B. 1 J/kg
C. 2 J/kg
D. 4 J/kg
The recommended initial defibrillation dose for children is 2 J/kg for
pulseless VT/VF, followed by 4 J/kg if needed.
2. Which sign most reliably indicates poor perfusion in infants and
children?
A. Cyanosis
B. Tachycardia
C. Weak peripheral pulses
D. Altered mental status
Altered mental status reflects poor cerebral perfusion and is a critical
sign of inadequate circulation.
,3. What is the most appropriate next step after delivering a shock to a
pediatric patient in VF?
A. Check pulse
B. Administer epinephrine
C. Resume CPR immediately
D. Give amiodarone
High-quality CPR should be resumed immediately after defibrillation
without checking pulse to maintain perfusion.
4. In the PALS algorithm, which medication is first-line for bradycardia
with poor perfusion?
A. Amiodarone
B. Epinephrine
C. Adenosine
D. Lidocaine
Epinephrine is used for symptomatic bradycardia when there is
evidence of poor perfusion.
5. What is the compression-to-breaths ratio for two-rescuer CPR in a
child?
A. 15:2
B. 15:2
C. 30:2
D. 5:1
For infants and children with two-rescuer CPR, the ratio is 15:2 to
optimize ventilation and circulation.
6. Which condition is an indication for synchronized cardioversion in a
pediatric patient?
A. Asystole
B. Pulseless VT
C. Unstable SVT
, D. Bradycardia
Unstable supraventricular tachycardia (SVT) with symptoms like
hypotension or altered consciousness requires synchronized
cardioversion.
7. What is the recommended dose of epinephrine in cardiac arrest?
A. 0.01 mg/kg of 1:10,000
B. 0.01 mg/kg of 1:10,000
C. 0.1 mg/kg of 1:1,000
D. 0.1 mg/kg of 1:10,000
In cardiac arrest, epinephrine 0.01 mg/kg (1:10,000 concentration) is
administered IV/IO every 3–5 minutes.
8. What is the most common cause of cardiac arrest in children?
A. Congenital heart defects
B. Respiratory failure
C. Arrhythmias
D. Hypovolemia
Most pediatric cardiac arrests are secondary to respiratory failure or
shock.
9. Which rhythm requires immediate defibrillation?
A. Asystole
B. PEA
C. Bradycardia
D. Ventricular fibrillation
Ventricular fibrillation is a shockable rhythm that requires immediate
defibrillation.
10. During a resuscitation attempt, a child is in SVT with poor
perfusion. What is the next step?
A. Try vagal maneuvers
B. Synchronized cardioversion
