PALS - Red Cross - Cardiac Arrest and Post-
Cardiac Arrest Care [Pre-Assessment]
questions and answers 2025\2026 A+ Grade
Which is the primary goal and focus of post-cardiac arrest care?
- correct answer Preservation of neurologic function
In children and infants, cardiac arrest most often arises from which complication?
- correct answer Respiratory failure
Which medications may be used in the cardiac arrest care of a patient with a "shockable" rhythm?
- correct answer 1. Amiodarone
2. Epinephrine
3. Magnesium Sulfate
4. Lidocaine
Which finding indicates adequate end-organ and tissue perfusion?
- correct answer Urine output greater than 1 mL/kg/h
A patient admitted to the pediatric emergency department is in cardiac arrest. The rhythm on the
defibrillator monitor is ventricular fibrillation (VF). Which energy dose should the team leader order to
administer an initial shock?
- correct answer 2 J/kg
Which statement correctly describes the completion of the primary assessment of a patient in cardiac
arrest?
- correct answer The primary assessment should be delayed in order to provide prompt, life-saving
measures.
, A healthcare provider suspects that hyperkalemia may be the cause of the patient's cardiac arrest.
Which should the provider order to confirm hyperkalemia?
- correct answer Serum electrolyte panel
The healthcare provider notes that an infant receiving post-cardiac arrest care has an increase in
temperature. The provider understands treatment should be initiated if the temperature rises at least
which amount above normal?
- correct answer 1 degree increase
The healthcare provider understands that an ischemia/reperfusion response during post-cardiac arrest
syndrome (PCAS) is similar to which kind of shock?
- correct answer Septic
Which ECG rhythm is identified in the following image?
- correct answer Polymorphic ventricular tachycardia (torsades de pointes) looks like scribbed signature
mountain/upside down mountains
The PALS team is actively attempting to resuscitate a 9-kg infant in cardiac arrest. The team leader
instructs the monitor team member to administer a second defibrillation. How many joules should the
team member administer?
- correct answer 36 joules:
1. Activate emergency medical services, call a pediatric "code blue", obtain AED or defibrillator
2. Is the rhythm shockable?
Rhythm IS shockable (ventricular fibrillation or unstable ventricular tachycardia)
1. Administer shock at 2 Joules/kg
2. Administer high-quality CPR for 2 minutes
3. Check rhythm
If not shockable, move to asystole/PEA rhythm protocol
If shockable, continue
4. Administer shock at 4 Joules/kg
5. Administer epinephrine 0.01 mg/kg IV or 0.1 mg/kg per ETT every 3-5 minutes
6. Administer high-quality CPR for 2 minutes
Cardiac Arrest Care [Pre-Assessment]
questions and answers 2025\2026 A+ Grade
Which is the primary goal and focus of post-cardiac arrest care?
- correct answer Preservation of neurologic function
In children and infants, cardiac arrest most often arises from which complication?
- correct answer Respiratory failure
Which medications may be used in the cardiac arrest care of a patient with a "shockable" rhythm?
- correct answer 1. Amiodarone
2. Epinephrine
3. Magnesium Sulfate
4. Lidocaine
Which finding indicates adequate end-organ and tissue perfusion?
- correct answer Urine output greater than 1 mL/kg/h
A patient admitted to the pediatric emergency department is in cardiac arrest. The rhythm on the
defibrillator monitor is ventricular fibrillation (VF). Which energy dose should the team leader order to
administer an initial shock?
- correct answer 2 J/kg
Which statement correctly describes the completion of the primary assessment of a patient in cardiac
arrest?
- correct answer The primary assessment should be delayed in order to provide prompt, life-saving
measures.
, A healthcare provider suspects that hyperkalemia may be the cause of the patient's cardiac arrest.
Which should the provider order to confirm hyperkalemia?
- correct answer Serum electrolyte panel
The healthcare provider notes that an infant receiving post-cardiac arrest care has an increase in
temperature. The provider understands treatment should be initiated if the temperature rises at least
which amount above normal?
- correct answer 1 degree increase
The healthcare provider understands that an ischemia/reperfusion response during post-cardiac arrest
syndrome (PCAS) is similar to which kind of shock?
- correct answer Septic
Which ECG rhythm is identified in the following image?
- correct answer Polymorphic ventricular tachycardia (torsades de pointes) looks like scribbed signature
mountain/upside down mountains
The PALS team is actively attempting to resuscitate a 9-kg infant in cardiac arrest. The team leader
instructs the monitor team member to administer a second defibrillation. How many joules should the
team member administer?
- correct answer 36 joules:
1. Activate emergency medical services, call a pediatric "code blue", obtain AED or defibrillator
2. Is the rhythm shockable?
Rhythm IS shockable (ventricular fibrillation or unstable ventricular tachycardia)
1. Administer shock at 2 Joules/kg
2. Administer high-quality CPR for 2 minutes
3. Check rhythm
If not shockable, move to asystole/PEA rhythm protocol
If shockable, continue
4. Administer shock at 4 Joules/kg
5. Administer epinephrine 0.01 mg/kg IV or 0.1 mg/kg per ETT every 3-5 minutes
6. Administer high-quality CPR for 2 minutes
