AHA PALS FINAL PAPER 2026 QUESTIONS
WITH FULL ANSWERS
◉ You are caring for a patient who developed a tension
pneumothorax after several hours of positive-pressure ventilation.
Which of the following would be the most appropriate site for
needle decompression?
- Over the third rib at the midclavicular line
- Under the eighth rib at the midaxillary line
- Over the fifth rib at the sternal border
- Under the sixth rib at the midclavicular line. Answer: Over the third
rib at the midclavicular line
◉ You attempted synchronized cardioversion for an infant with
supraventricular tachycardia (SVT) and poor perfusion. The SVT
persists after the initial 1 J/kg shock. Which of the following should
you attempt now?
- Synchronized cardioversion at a dose of 2 J/kg
- Synchronized cardioversion at a dose of 4 J/kg
- Unsynchronized cardioversion at a dose of 2 J/kg
, - Unsynchronized cardioversion at a dose of 4 J/kg Answer:
Synchronized cardioversion at a dose of 2 J/kg
◉ You are treating a 5-month-old with a 2-day history of vomiting
and diarrhea. The patient is listless. The respiratory rate is 52/min
and unlabored. The heart rate is 170/min and pulses are present but
weak. Capillary refill is delayed. You are administering high-flow
oxygen, and intravenous access is in place. At this point the most
important therapy is to:
- Administer an epinephrine bolus
- Begin bag-mask ventilation
- Provide a rapid 20 ml/kg isotonic crystalloid fluid bolus
- Administer a bolus of 0.5 g/kg of dextrose Answer: Provide a rapid
20 ml/kg isotonic crystalloid fluid bolus
◉ Which of the following groups of clinical findings would be most
consistent with categorizing a patient with compensated shock?
- Normal systolic blood pressure, decreased level of consciousness,
cool extremities with delayed capillary refill, and faint or
nonpalpable distal pulses
- Decreased level of consciousness, extensor posturing in response
to pain, hypertension, and apnea
WITH FULL ANSWERS
◉ You are caring for a patient who developed a tension
pneumothorax after several hours of positive-pressure ventilation.
Which of the following would be the most appropriate site for
needle decompression?
- Over the third rib at the midclavicular line
- Under the eighth rib at the midaxillary line
- Over the fifth rib at the sternal border
- Under the sixth rib at the midclavicular line. Answer: Over the third
rib at the midclavicular line
◉ You attempted synchronized cardioversion for an infant with
supraventricular tachycardia (SVT) and poor perfusion. The SVT
persists after the initial 1 J/kg shock. Which of the following should
you attempt now?
- Synchronized cardioversion at a dose of 2 J/kg
- Synchronized cardioversion at a dose of 4 J/kg
- Unsynchronized cardioversion at a dose of 2 J/kg
, - Unsynchronized cardioversion at a dose of 4 J/kg Answer:
Synchronized cardioversion at a dose of 2 J/kg
◉ You are treating a 5-month-old with a 2-day history of vomiting
and diarrhea. The patient is listless. The respiratory rate is 52/min
and unlabored. The heart rate is 170/min and pulses are present but
weak. Capillary refill is delayed. You are administering high-flow
oxygen, and intravenous access is in place. At this point the most
important therapy is to:
- Administer an epinephrine bolus
- Begin bag-mask ventilation
- Provide a rapid 20 ml/kg isotonic crystalloid fluid bolus
- Administer a bolus of 0.5 g/kg of dextrose Answer: Provide a rapid
20 ml/kg isotonic crystalloid fluid bolus
◉ Which of the following groups of clinical findings would be most
consistent with categorizing a patient with compensated shock?
- Normal systolic blood pressure, decreased level of consciousness,
cool extremities with delayed capillary refill, and faint or
nonpalpable distal pulses
- Decreased level of consciousness, extensor posturing in response
to pain, hypertension, and apnea
