AHA PALS PRACTICE EXAM (LATEST
2026/2027 UPDATE) QUESTIONS AND
ANSWERS | GRADE A | 100% CORRECT
AMERICAN HEART ASSOCIATION (AHA) PEDIATRIC
ADVANCED LIFE SUPPORT (AHA PALS)
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
2026/2027 UPDATE) QUESTIONS AND
ANSWERS | GRADE A | 100% CORRECT
AMERICAN HEART ASSOCIATION (AHA) PEDIATRIC
ADVANCED LIFE SUPPORT (AHA PALS)
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
