PALS Exam Questions & Answers with
Complete Solutions
What are the 4 respiratory scenarios? -ANSWER - 1. Upper AW obstruction
2. Lower AW obstruction
3. Lung tissue disease
4. Disordered control
What are the 4 cardiac scenarios? -ANSWER - 1. Shock (VF / pulseless VT)
2. No shock (PEA / asystole)
3. Bradycardia
4. Tachycardia (SVT / VT with a pulse)
What are the 4 shock scenarios? -ANSWER - 1. Distributive
2. Obstructive
3. Hypovolemic
4. Cardiogenic
Normal HR (2) -ANSWER - 1. <5 = 80-180
2. >5 = 60-160
Lowest acceptable systolic BP -ANSWER - 70 + (age in years x 2)
How to determine proper tube size and placement (2) -ANSWER - 1. Uncuffed = (Age in
years ÷ 4) + 4
2. Cuffed = (Age in years ÷ 4) + 3.5
What is the DOPE mnemonic? -ANSWER - Displacement
Obstruction
Pneumothorax
Equipment failure
What are the attributes of hypotensive (uncompensated) shock? (2) -ANSWER - 1. BP
below acceptable level
2. Rapidly progresses to cardiac arrest if not corrected
How does compensated shock present? -ANSWER - Signs of inadequate perfusion
present, but BP is in normal range
What are examples of compensated shock? (5) -ANSWER - 1. Tachycardia
2. Cold, pale, mottled skin
3. Delayed cap refill
4. Weak peripheral pulses, narrow pulse pressure
Complete Solutions
What are the 4 respiratory scenarios? -ANSWER - 1. Upper AW obstruction
2. Lower AW obstruction
3. Lung tissue disease
4. Disordered control
What are the 4 cardiac scenarios? -ANSWER - 1. Shock (VF / pulseless VT)
2. No shock (PEA / asystole)
3. Bradycardia
4. Tachycardia (SVT / VT with a pulse)
What are the 4 shock scenarios? -ANSWER - 1. Distributive
2. Obstructive
3. Hypovolemic
4. Cardiogenic
Normal HR (2) -ANSWER - 1. <5 = 80-180
2. >5 = 60-160
Lowest acceptable systolic BP -ANSWER - 70 + (age in years x 2)
How to determine proper tube size and placement (2) -ANSWER - 1. Uncuffed = (Age in
years ÷ 4) + 4
2. Cuffed = (Age in years ÷ 4) + 3.5
What is the DOPE mnemonic? -ANSWER - Displacement
Obstruction
Pneumothorax
Equipment failure
What are the attributes of hypotensive (uncompensated) shock? (2) -ANSWER - 1. BP
below acceptable level
2. Rapidly progresses to cardiac arrest if not corrected
How does compensated shock present? -ANSWER - Signs of inadequate perfusion
present, but BP is in normal range
What are examples of compensated shock? (5) -ANSWER - 1. Tachycardia
2. Cold, pale, mottled skin
3. Delayed cap refill
4. Weak peripheral pulses, narrow pulse pressure
