AHA PALS Exam Questions & Answers 2026 | Verified
100% Correct | Pediatric Advanced Life
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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 - Answers-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
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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 - Answers-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 - Answers-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
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D. Refuse to administer the drug - Answers-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 - Answers-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 - Answers-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?
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A. Vascular resistance
B. Pulse rate
C. Lung compliance
D. Control of breathing - Answers-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 - Answers-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 - Answers-Respiratory
distress