AHA PALS EXAM 2025-2026 ACTUAL EXAM TEST BANK
QUESTIONS AND CORRECT DETAILED ANSWERS.
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
QUESTIONS AND CORRECT DETAILED ANSWERS.
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
