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PALS PRE COURSE SELF ASSESSMENT Actual
Exam 2026/2027 Complete Questions and Verified
Answers with Detailed Rationales Latest Update 100%
PASS Pass Guaranteed - A+ Graded
Section 1: PALS Pre-course Self-Assessment
Q1: The recommended compression-to-ventilation ratio for pediatric CPR with two rescuers is:
A. 15:1
B. 15:2 [CORRECT]
C. 30:2
D. 30:1
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: For pediatric patients (infants and children up to puberty), two-rescuer CPR uses a
15:2 compression-to-ventilation ratio to optimize coronary perfusion while providing adequate
ventilation.
Q2: A 4-year-old child presents with respiratory distress, tachypnea, and intercostal retractions.
Oxygen saturation is 88% on room air. The first priority is:
A. Immediate intubation
B. Administration of bronchodilators
C. Application of high-flow oxygen [CORRECT]
D. Chest X-ray
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Immediate supplemental oxygen is the priority to correct hypoxemia; high-flow
oxygen should be applied while preparing for further interventions and diagnostic evaluation.
Q3: The Pediatric Assessment Triangle (PAT) consists of three components:
A. Airway, Breathing, Circulation
,2
B. Appearance, Work of Breathing, Circulation to the Skin [CORRECT]
C. Heart rate, Blood pressure, Respiratory rate
D. Level of consciousness, Pupil response, Skin temperature
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The PAT provides a rapid visual assessment using Appearance (muscle tone/mental
status), Work of Breathing (retractions, nasal flaring), and Circulation to the Skin (color,
perfusion) to identify life-threatening conditions.
Q4: A 6-month-old infant weighs 7 kg. Using the length-based resuscitation tape, the estimated
weight is:
A. 5 kg
B. 6 kg
C. 7 kg [CORRECT]
D. 8 kg
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The length-based resuscitation tape (Broselow tape) provides accurate weight
estimation for drug dosing and equipment selection; actual weight of 7 kg validates the tape's
accuracy for this infant.
Q5: During pediatric cardiac arrest, the compression depth for a child is:
A. At least one-third the anterior-posterior diameter of the chest, approximately 5 cm
[CORRECT]
B. Approximately 2.5 cm
C. At least 6 cm
D. One-half the anterior-posterior diameter
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Compression depth for children is at least one-third the anterior-posterior chest
diameter, approximately 5 cm (2 inches), ensuring adequate cardiac output without causing
injury.
, 3
Q6: A 3-year-old presents with lethargy, tachycardia, and delayed capillary refill. Blood pressure
is 70/40 mmHg. This child is in:
A. Compensated shock
B. Hypotensive shock [CORRECT]
C. Cardiogenic shock only
D. Septic shock only
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Hypotension (systolic BP <70 + [2 × age in years]) with signs of poor perfusion
(delayed capillary refill, lethargy, tachycardia) indicates hypotensive (decompensated) shock
requiring immediate intervention.
Q7: The initial energy dose for pediatric defibrillation is:
A. 0.5 J/kg
B. 1 J/kg
C. 2 J/kg [CORRECT]
D. 4 J/kg
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The recommended initial defibrillation dose for pediatric patients is 2 J/kg; if
unsuccessful, subsequent doses of 4 J/kg may be administered.
Q8: A child presents with supraventricular tachycardia (SVT) with a heart rate of 220 bpm and
poor perfusion. The first intervention is:
A. Adenosine 0.1 mg/kg rapid IV push
B. Synchronized cardioversion [CORRECT]
C. Vagal maneuvers
D. Amiodarone 5 mg/kg IV
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: For SVT with poor perfusion (hypotension, altered mental status, signs of shock),
synchronized cardioversion (0.5-1 J/kg) is the immediate treatment to restore perfusion.
PALS PRE COURSE SELF ASSESSMENT Actual
Exam 2026/2027 Complete Questions and Verified
Answers with Detailed Rationales Latest Update 100%
PASS Pass Guaranteed - A+ Graded
Section 1: PALS Pre-course Self-Assessment
Q1: The recommended compression-to-ventilation ratio for pediatric CPR with two rescuers is:
A. 15:1
B. 15:2 [CORRECT]
C. 30:2
D. 30:1
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: For pediatric patients (infants and children up to puberty), two-rescuer CPR uses a
15:2 compression-to-ventilation ratio to optimize coronary perfusion while providing adequate
ventilation.
Q2: A 4-year-old child presents with respiratory distress, tachypnea, and intercostal retractions.
Oxygen saturation is 88% on room air. The first priority is:
A. Immediate intubation
B. Administration of bronchodilators
C. Application of high-flow oxygen [CORRECT]
D. Chest X-ray
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Immediate supplemental oxygen is the priority to correct hypoxemia; high-flow
oxygen should be applied while preparing for further interventions and diagnostic evaluation.
Q3: The Pediatric Assessment Triangle (PAT) consists of three components:
A. Airway, Breathing, Circulation
,2
B. Appearance, Work of Breathing, Circulation to the Skin [CORRECT]
C. Heart rate, Blood pressure, Respiratory rate
D. Level of consciousness, Pupil response, Skin temperature
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The PAT provides a rapid visual assessment using Appearance (muscle tone/mental
status), Work of Breathing (retractions, nasal flaring), and Circulation to the Skin (color,
perfusion) to identify life-threatening conditions.
Q4: A 6-month-old infant weighs 7 kg. Using the length-based resuscitation tape, the estimated
weight is:
A. 5 kg
B. 6 kg
C. 7 kg [CORRECT]
D. 8 kg
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The length-based resuscitation tape (Broselow tape) provides accurate weight
estimation for drug dosing and equipment selection; actual weight of 7 kg validates the tape's
accuracy for this infant.
Q5: During pediatric cardiac arrest, the compression depth for a child is:
A. At least one-third the anterior-posterior diameter of the chest, approximately 5 cm
[CORRECT]
B. Approximately 2.5 cm
C. At least 6 cm
D. One-half the anterior-posterior diameter
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Compression depth for children is at least one-third the anterior-posterior chest
diameter, approximately 5 cm (2 inches), ensuring adequate cardiac output without causing
injury.
, 3
Q6: A 3-year-old presents with lethargy, tachycardia, and delayed capillary refill. Blood pressure
is 70/40 mmHg. This child is in:
A. Compensated shock
B. Hypotensive shock [CORRECT]
C. Cardiogenic shock only
D. Septic shock only
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Hypotension (systolic BP <70 + [2 × age in years]) with signs of poor perfusion
(delayed capillary refill, lethargy, tachycardia) indicates hypotensive (decompensated) shock
requiring immediate intervention.
Q7: The initial energy dose for pediatric defibrillation is:
A. 0.5 J/kg
B. 1 J/kg
C. 2 J/kg [CORRECT]
D. 4 J/kg
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The recommended initial defibrillation dose for pediatric patients is 2 J/kg; if
unsuccessful, subsequent doses of 4 J/kg may be administered.
Q8: A child presents with supraventricular tachycardia (SVT) with a heart rate of 220 bpm and
poor perfusion. The first intervention is:
A. Adenosine 0.1 mg/kg rapid IV push
B. Synchronized cardioversion [CORRECT]
C. Vagal maneuvers
D. Amiodarone 5 mg/kg IV
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: For SVT with poor perfusion (hypotension, altered mental status, signs of shock),
synchronized cardioversion (0.5-1 J/kg) is the immediate treatment to restore perfusion.
