PALS Pediatric Advanced Life Support Success Pack 2026
| Latest Update | Exam Prep
1. What is the primary focus of the Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS)
algorithm during the initial assessment?
Skin temperature and hydration status
Heart rate and blood pressure
Neurological reflexes and muscle tone
Consciousness, breathing, and color
2. Stridor is most often heard when a patient has what type of obstruction?
lower airway
complete obstruction
no obstruction
upper airway
3. What is the primary method for diagnosing respiratory failure/severity of
failure?
checking tubes
surgery
arterial blood gas (ABG)
4. Crackles or Rales
Dry, grating, or rubbing sound as the inflamed visceral and parietal
pleura rub against each other during inspiration or expiration
, Fine to coarse bubbly sounds (not clear with coughing) as air passes
through fluid or re-expands collapsed small airways
High-pitched whistling, musical sounds as air passes through
narrowed or obstructed airways, usually louder on expiration
Coarse, loud, low-pitched rumbling sounds during either inspiration or
expiration resulting from fluid or mucus, can clear with coughing
5. What are the components included in the assessment of breathing during a
pediatric emergency?
Heart rate and blood pressure
Respiratory rate and effort, chest expansion in air movement, lung
and airway sounds, O2 saturation
Level of consciousness and pupil response
Skin temperature and capillary refill time
6. The D(disability) of the primary assessment is a quick evaluation of
________________.
handicap status of the patient
neurologic function
the need for defibrillation
ability to ambulate
7. In a scenario where a child is unresponsive, has a pulse of 50/min, and
exhibits cyanosis, what should be your immediate action?
Perform an ABG
Provide a 500ml NS bolus
Intubate the patient
, Begin CPR
8. Which of the following signs and symptoms is most indicative of cerebral
hypoxia?
heart rate greater than 120 beats per minute
diffuse wheezing on exhalation
decreased level of consciousness
cheif compalint of dyspnea
9. What are the typical primary causes of pediatric cardiac arrest?
Shock and no Respiratory failure
Shock and Respiratory failure
Respiratory failure only
None of the above
10. In a scenario where a child is found unresponsive but has a weak pulse, how
would you utilize the AVPU scale to guide your next steps?
Focus solely on the child's breathing without using the AVPU scale.
Check the child's blood pressure before using the AVPU scale.
Immediately begin CPR without assessing responsiveness.
Assess the child using the AVPU scale to determine if they respond
to voice or pain before proceeding with interventions.
11. If you find a patient unresponsive, where is the best location to obtain a
pulse?
brachial
, carotid
radial
femoral
12. What is the next intervention if a child has a pulse less than 60/min and
shows signs of poor perfusion?
Intubate the patient
Begin CPR
Perform an ABG
Provide a 500ml NS bolus
13. In a scenario where a child presents with stridor and difficulty breathing,
what should be your immediate course of action based on the PALS
algorithm?
Administer oxygen and wait for further signs.
Monitor the child without intervention.
Perform an airway assessment and prepare for potential
intervention.
Start chest compressions immediately.
14. What does the 'D' in the primary assessment of PALS stand for?
handicap status of the patient
ability to ambulate
the need for defibrillation
neurologic function
| Latest Update | Exam Prep
1. What is the primary focus of the Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS)
algorithm during the initial assessment?
Skin temperature and hydration status
Heart rate and blood pressure
Neurological reflexes and muscle tone
Consciousness, breathing, and color
2. Stridor is most often heard when a patient has what type of obstruction?
lower airway
complete obstruction
no obstruction
upper airway
3. What is the primary method for diagnosing respiratory failure/severity of
failure?
checking tubes
surgery
arterial blood gas (ABG)
4. Crackles or Rales
Dry, grating, or rubbing sound as the inflamed visceral and parietal
pleura rub against each other during inspiration or expiration
, Fine to coarse bubbly sounds (not clear with coughing) as air passes
through fluid or re-expands collapsed small airways
High-pitched whistling, musical sounds as air passes through
narrowed or obstructed airways, usually louder on expiration
Coarse, loud, low-pitched rumbling sounds during either inspiration or
expiration resulting from fluid or mucus, can clear with coughing
5. What are the components included in the assessment of breathing during a
pediatric emergency?
Heart rate and blood pressure
Respiratory rate and effort, chest expansion in air movement, lung
and airway sounds, O2 saturation
Level of consciousness and pupil response
Skin temperature and capillary refill time
6. The D(disability) of the primary assessment is a quick evaluation of
________________.
handicap status of the patient
neurologic function
the need for defibrillation
ability to ambulate
7. In a scenario where a child is unresponsive, has a pulse of 50/min, and
exhibits cyanosis, what should be your immediate action?
Perform an ABG
Provide a 500ml NS bolus
Intubate the patient
, Begin CPR
8. Which of the following signs and symptoms is most indicative of cerebral
hypoxia?
heart rate greater than 120 beats per minute
diffuse wheezing on exhalation
decreased level of consciousness
cheif compalint of dyspnea
9. What are the typical primary causes of pediatric cardiac arrest?
Shock and no Respiratory failure
Shock and Respiratory failure
Respiratory failure only
None of the above
10. In a scenario where a child is found unresponsive but has a weak pulse, how
would you utilize the AVPU scale to guide your next steps?
Focus solely on the child's breathing without using the AVPU scale.
Check the child's blood pressure before using the AVPU scale.
Immediately begin CPR without assessing responsiveness.
Assess the child using the AVPU scale to determine if they respond
to voice or pain before proceeding with interventions.
11. If you find a patient unresponsive, where is the best location to obtain a
pulse?
brachial
, carotid
radial
femoral
12. What is the next intervention if a child has a pulse less than 60/min and
shows signs of poor perfusion?
Intubate the patient
Begin CPR
Perform an ABG
Provide a 500ml NS bolus
13. In a scenario where a child presents with stridor and difficulty breathing,
what should be your immediate course of action based on the PALS
algorithm?
Administer oxygen and wait for further signs.
Monitor the child without intervention.
Perform an airway assessment and prepare for potential
intervention.
Start chest compressions immediately.
14. What does the 'D' in the primary assessment of PALS stand for?
handicap status of the patient
ability to ambulate
the need for defibrillation
neurologic function
