AHA PALS PRACTICE EXAM QUESTIONS
WITH VERIFIED ANSWERS 2025-2026
1. 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-
Unreliable; supplementary oxygen should be administered
2. 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-Septic shock
3. 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-Hypotensive
,4. During a resuscitation attempt, the team leader orders an initial dose of epinephrine
at 0.1 mg/kg to be given 10. 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-Respectfully ask the team
leader to clarify the dose
5. Which of the following is a characteristic of respiratory failure?
A. Inadequate oxygenation and/or ventilation
B. Hypotension
C. An increase in serum pH (alkalosis)
D. Abnormal respiratory sounds - CORRECT ANSWER-Inadequate oxygenation and/or
ventilation
6. Which of the following is most likely to produce a prolonged expiratory phase and
wheezing?
A. Disordered control of breathing
B. Hypovolemic shock
C. Lower airway obstruction
D. Upper airway obstruction - CORRECT ANSWER-Lower airway obstruction
7. A 4-year-old child presents with seizures and irregular respirations. The seizures
stopped a few minutes ago. Which of the following most likely to be abnormal?
A. Vascular resistance
B. Pulse rate
C. Lung compliance
D. Control of breathing - CORRECT ANSWER-Control of breathing
8. What abnormality is most likely to be present in children with acute respiratory
distress caused by lung tissue disease?
, A. Decreased oxygen saturation
B. Stridor
C. Normal respiratory rate
D. Decreased respiratory effort - CORRECT ANSWER-Decreased oxygen saturation
9. An alert 2-year-old child with an increased work of breathing and pink color is being
evaluated. Heart rate is 110/min, and respiratory rate is 30/min. What would best
describe this patient's condition? A. Respiratory distress
B. Respiratory arrest
C. Respiratory failure
D. Disordered control of breathing - CORRECT ANSWER-Respiratory distress
10. The parents of a 7-year-old child who is undergoing chemotherapy report that the
child has been febrile and has not been feeling well, with recent onset of lethargy.
Assessment reveals the following: The child is difficult to arouse, with pale color. The
child's heart rate is 160/min, respiratory rate is 30/min, blood pressure is 76/45 mm Hg,
capillary refill time is 5 to 6 seconds, and temperature is 103°F (39.4°C). What is the
most appropriate intervention?
A. Obtain vascular access and administer 20 mL/kg of isotonic crystalloid over 30
minutes
B. Obtain vascular access and administer 20 mL/kg of isotonic crystalloid over 5 to 10
minutes
C. Obtain immediate blood cultures and chest x-ray D. Obtain expert consultation with
an oncologist to determine the chemotherapeutic regimen - CORRECT ANSWER-
Obtain vascular access and administer 20 mL/kg of isotonic crystalloid over 5 to 10
minutes
11. A 2-year-old child presents with a 4-day history of vomiting. The initial impression
reveals an unresponsive child with intermittent apnea and mottled color. Heart rate is
166/min, respiratory rate is now being supported with bag-mask ventilation, capillary
refill time is 5 to 6 seconds, and temperature is 102°F (38.9°C). What is the best method
WITH VERIFIED ANSWERS 2025-2026
1. 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-
Unreliable; supplementary oxygen should be administered
2. 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-Septic shock
3. 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-Hypotensive
,4. During a resuscitation attempt, the team leader orders an initial dose of epinephrine
at 0.1 mg/kg to be given 10. 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-Respectfully ask the team
leader to clarify the dose
5. Which of the following is a characteristic of respiratory failure?
A. Inadequate oxygenation and/or ventilation
B. Hypotension
C. An increase in serum pH (alkalosis)
D. Abnormal respiratory sounds - CORRECT ANSWER-Inadequate oxygenation and/or
ventilation
6. Which of the following is most likely to produce a prolonged expiratory phase and
wheezing?
A. Disordered control of breathing
B. Hypovolemic shock
C. Lower airway obstruction
D. Upper airway obstruction - CORRECT ANSWER-Lower airway obstruction
7. A 4-year-old child presents with seizures and irregular respirations. The seizures
stopped a few minutes ago. Which of the following most likely to be abnormal?
A. Vascular resistance
B. Pulse rate
C. Lung compliance
D. Control of breathing - CORRECT ANSWER-Control of breathing
8. What abnormality is most likely to be present in children with acute respiratory
distress caused by lung tissue disease?
, A. Decreased oxygen saturation
B. Stridor
C. Normal respiratory rate
D. Decreased respiratory effort - CORRECT ANSWER-Decreased oxygen saturation
9. An alert 2-year-old child with an increased work of breathing and pink color is being
evaluated. Heart rate is 110/min, and respiratory rate is 30/min. What would best
describe this patient's condition? A. Respiratory distress
B. Respiratory arrest
C. Respiratory failure
D. Disordered control of breathing - CORRECT ANSWER-Respiratory distress
10. The parents of a 7-year-old child who is undergoing chemotherapy report that the
child has been febrile and has not been feeling well, with recent onset of lethargy.
Assessment reveals the following: The child is difficult to arouse, with pale color. The
child's heart rate is 160/min, respiratory rate is 30/min, blood pressure is 76/45 mm Hg,
capillary refill time is 5 to 6 seconds, and temperature is 103°F (39.4°C). What is the
most appropriate intervention?
A. Obtain vascular access and administer 20 mL/kg of isotonic crystalloid over 30
minutes
B. Obtain vascular access and administer 20 mL/kg of isotonic crystalloid over 5 to 10
minutes
C. Obtain immediate blood cultures and chest x-ray D. Obtain expert consultation with
an oncologist to determine the chemotherapeutic regimen - CORRECT ANSWER-
Obtain vascular access and administer 20 mL/kg of isotonic crystalloid over 5 to 10
minutes
11. A 2-year-old child presents with a 4-day history of vomiting. The initial impression
reveals an unresponsive child with intermittent apnea and mottled color. Heart rate is
166/min, respiratory rate is now being supported with bag-mask ventilation, capillary
refill time is 5 to 6 seconds, and temperature is 102°F (38.9°C). What is the best method
