AHA PALS EXAM 2026 PRACTICE EXAM
TEST BANK all QUESTIONS AND CORRECT
DETAILED ANSWERS WITH RATIONALES
(VERIFIED ANSWERS) |ALREADY GRADED
A+||NEWEST VERSION| highlighted
answers|
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: D
Rationale: The pulse oximeter reading is unreliable because the displayed pulse
rate (93/min) does not match the cardiac monitor rate (165/min). This discrepancy
,indicates poor perfusion or signal artifact. Since the child has increased work of
breathing, crackles, and lethargy, supplementary oxygen should be administered
despite the apparent saturation reading. Never rely on an inconsistent pulse
oximetry reading when clinical signs suggest respiratory compromise.
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: A
Rationale: A 2-week-old infant with a blood pressure of 55/40 mm Hg is
hypotensive. Normal systolic blood pressure for a neonate is approximately 60-80
mm Hg. Hypotension in infants is defined as a systolic blood pressure less than 60
mm Hg. This finding, combined with irritability and poor feeding, suggests
hemodynamic compromise requiring immediate intervention.
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: A
Rationale: This child is presenting with septic shock. Key indicators include:
immunosuppression from chemotherapy, fever, lethargy, tachycardia (195/min),
tachypnea (36/min), and hypotension (85/40 mm Hg). Capillary refill time is less
than 2 seconds, which is consistent with the early (warm) phase of septic shock
where vasodilation occurs. The combination of fever, immunocompromised
status, and systemic signs of infection points to septic shock rather than other
types.
During a resuscitation attempt, the team leader orders an initial dose of
epinephrine at 0.1 mg/kg to be given IO. 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: C
Rationale: The correct dose of epinephrine for cardiac arrest in children is 0.01
mg/kg (0.1 mL/kg of 1:10,000 concentration). The team leader ordered 0.1 mg/kg,
which is ten times the correct dose. The team member should respectfully ask for
clarification of the dose to prevent a medication error. Administering the wrong
dose (Options A or B without clarification) or refusing to administer the drug
(Option D) are not appropriate responses in a resuscitation situation.
TEST BANK all QUESTIONS AND CORRECT
DETAILED ANSWERS WITH RATIONALES
(VERIFIED ANSWERS) |ALREADY GRADED
A+||NEWEST VERSION| highlighted
answers|
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: D
Rationale: The pulse oximeter reading is unreliable because the displayed pulse
rate (93/min) does not match the cardiac monitor rate (165/min). This discrepancy
,indicates poor perfusion or signal artifact. Since the child has increased work of
breathing, crackles, and lethargy, supplementary oxygen should be administered
despite the apparent saturation reading. Never rely on an inconsistent pulse
oximetry reading when clinical signs suggest respiratory compromise.
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: A
Rationale: A 2-week-old infant with a blood pressure of 55/40 mm Hg is
hypotensive. Normal systolic blood pressure for a neonate is approximately 60-80
mm Hg. Hypotension in infants is defined as a systolic blood pressure less than 60
mm Hg. This finding, combined with irritability and poor feeding, suggests
hemodynamic compromise requiring immediate intervention.
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: A
Rationale: This child is presenting with septic shock. Key indicators include:
immunosuppression from chemotherapy, fever, lethargy, tachycardia (195/min),
tachypnea (36/min), and hypotension (85/40 mm Hg). Capillary refill time is less
than 2 seconds, which is consistent with the early (warm) phase of septic shock
where vasodilation occurs. The combination of fever, immunocompromised
status, and systemic signs of infection points to septic shock rather than other
types.
During a resuscitation attempt, the team leader orders an initial dose of
epinephrine at 0.1 mg/kg to be given IO. 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: C
Rationale: The correct dose of epinephrine for cardiac arrest in children is 0.01
mg/kg (0.1 mL/kg of 1:10,000 concentration). The team leader ordered 0.1 mg/kg,
which is ten times the correct dose. The team member should respectfully ask for
clarification of the dose to prevent a medication error. Administering the wrong
dose (Options A or B without clarification) or refusing to administer the drug
(Option D) are not appropriate responses in a resuscitation situation.
