Page 1 of 115
✓ 4 DIFFERENT VERSIONS
✓ 500 QUESTIONS AND CORRECT ANSWERS
✓ MULTIPLE CHOICES
✓ CHEAT SHEET
PALS HEARTCODE EXAM A
What should you do before suctioning a child who has an upper airway obstruction?
A) give nebulized epinephrine
B) give corticosteroids
C) determine the underlying cause of the obstruction
D) determine if there is blood or debris in the airway
Determine the underlying cause of the obstruction
In a less severe case of upper airway obstruction in a child, what can relieve obstruction
caused by the tongue?
A) suction
B) decide if a surgical airway is needed
C) insert an oral airway
D) minimize agitation
1
,Page 2 of 115
Insert an oral airway
A child presents with a barking cough, good air entry during auscultation, a pulse oximetry
reading of 93% on room air, and retractions at rest. What is the severity of the child's
presentation?
Moderate croup
A child presents with a barking cough, good air entry during auscultation, a pulse oximetry
reading 93% on room air and retractions at rest. What are appropriate initial interventions?
Consider dexamethasone
Administer oxygen and nebulized epinephrine
What is the treatment for a mild allergic reaction?
A) consider an antihistamine
B) remove the offending agent
C) monitor for wheezing
D) use an epinephrine autoinjector
E) give an albuterol treatment
Consider an antihistamine
Remove the offending agent
2
,Page 3 of 115
What is the most appropriate treatment for severe anaphylaxis?
Administer IM epinephrine
A responsive infant presents with severe foreign body airway obstruction. What is the
appropriate management?
A) perform abdominal thrusts
B) lay the infant on a hard surface and begin CPR
C) perform a blind finger sweep
D) give 5 back blows followed by 5 chest thrusts
Give 5 back blows followed by 5 chest thrusts
A responsive child presents with severe foreign body airway obstruction is unable to speak.
You determine that the child:
A) should be lowered to the floor and CPR should be initiated
B) should receive abdominal thrusts
C) needs no intervention; call for help and allow the child to clear the obstruction
D) has a severe airway obstruction; give 5 back blows and 5 chest thrusts
Should receive abdominal thrusts
3
, Page 4 of 115
An 8 month old boy is brought to the hospital by his parents. He has a hoarse cry and barking
cough. His mother says that during the night, her son had difficulty breathing, which has
progressively worsened throughout the day.
The infant most likely has what type of respiratory emergency?
Upper airway obstruction
According to the systematic approach algorithm, what are the correct assessments to
perform during the evaluation phase?
Initial, primary, secondary
The infant is responsive and is breathing. What is an initial measure that you can perform to
maintain his airway?
Sit him up
What are the components of the breathing assessment?
Respiratory rate
Respiratory effort
Lung and airway sounds
Oxygen saturation
4
✓ 4 DIFFERENT VERSIONS
✓ 500 QUESTIONS AND CORRECT ANSWERS
✓ MULTIPLE CHOICES
✓ CHEAT SHEET
PALS HEARTCODE EXAM A
What should you do before suctioning a child who has an upper airway obstruction?
A) give nebulized epinephrine
B) give corticosteroids
C) determine the underlying cause of the obstruction
D) determine if there is blood or debris in the airway
Determine the underlying cause of the obstruction
In a less severe case of upper airway obstruction in a child, what can relieve obstruction
caused by the tongue?
A) suction
B) decide if a surgical airway is needed
C) insert an oral airway
D) minimize agitation
1
,Page 2 of 115
Insert an oral airway
A child presents with a barking cough, good air entry during auscultation, a pulse oximetry
reading of 93% on room air, and retractions at rest. What is the severity of the child's
presentation?
Moderate croup
A child presents with a barking cough, good air entry during auscultation, a pulse oximetry
reading 93% on room air and retractions at rest. What are appropriate initial interventions?
Consider dexamethasone
Administer oxygen and nebulized epinephrine
What is the treatment for a mild allergic reaction?
A) consider an antihistamine
B) remove the offending agent
C) monitor for wheezing
D) use an epinephrine autoinjector
E) give an albuterol treatment
Consider an antihistamine
Remove the offending agent
2
,Page 3 of 115
What is the most appropriate treatment for severe anaphylaxis?
Administer IM epinephrine
A responsive infant presents with severe foreign body airway obstruction. What is the
appropriate management?
A) perform abdominal thrusts
B) lay the infant on a hard surface and begin CPR
C) perform a blind finger sweep
D) give 5 back blows followed by 5 chest thrusts
Give 5 back blows followed by 5 chest thrusts
A responsive child presents with severe foreign body airway obstruction is unable to speak.
You determine that the child:
A) should be lowered to the floor and CPR should be initiated
B) should receive abdominal thrusts
C) needs no intervention; call for help and allow the child to clear the obstruction
D) has a severe airway obstruction; give 5 back blows and 5 chest thrusts
Should receive abdominal thrusts
3
, Page 4 of 115
An 8 month old boy is brought to the hospital by his parents. He has a hoarse cry and barking
cough. His mother says that during the night, her son had difficulty breathing, which has
progressively worsened throughout the day.
The infant most likely has what type of respiratory emergency?
Upper airway obstruction
According to the systematic approach algorithm, what are the correct assessments to
perform during the evaluation phase?
Initial, primary, secondary
The infant is responsive and is breathing. What is an initial measure that you can perform to
maintain his airway?
Sit him up
What are the components of the breathing assessment?
Respiratory rate
Respiratory effort
Lung and airway sounds
Oxygen saturation
4
