HeartCode PALS Exam Prep – Pediatric Advanced Life
Support | 2026 | Graded A+
1. What is one situation in which the 2-person bag-mask technique is recommended?
When using an AED
When making a seal is difficult
When the patient is conscious
When performing chest compressions
2. Which of the following medications are important to include in the patient history?
Prescription medications
Over-the-counter (OTC) medications
Supplements
All of the above
3. What is one common cause of airway obstruction in children during respiratory
distress?
Mucus plugging
Increased lung capacity
Decreased heart rate
Excessive oxygenation
4. In a scenario where a child is experiencing severe respiratory distress and requires
ventilation assistance, how would you implement the 2-person bagmask technique
effectively?
, By ensuring one person maintains the mask seal while the other provides
positive pressure ventilation.
By using an AED before attempting ventilation.
By having one person hold the child's head while the other performs chest
compressions.
By having both individuals alternate compressions and ventilation.
5. Describe the potential risks associated with bag-mask ventilation in pediatric
patients experiencing lower airway obstruction.
Bag-mask ventilation improves blood supply to the heart without
complications.
Bag-mask ventilation can lead to complications such as lung collapse due to
increased pressure in the lungs.
Bag-mask ventilation is only used in adults, not children.
Bag-mask ventilation is always safe and has no risks.
6. Describe why optimizing oxygen content in the blood is crucial in the treatment of
shock.
Optimizing oxygen content in the blood is crucial because it ensures that
tissues receive adequate oxygen for metabolism and function.
Optimizing oxygen content in the blood is crucial for increasing blood volume.
Optimizing oxygen content in the blood is crucial to stabilize blood pressure.
Optimizing oxygen content in the blood is crucial to prevent dehydration.
7. When an AED becomes available, what is the first step you should take to operate
the AED?
, Give 2 rescue breaths before using the AED.
Turn on the AED.
Place the AED pads on the chest.
Finish 5 cycles of chest compressions.
8. Describe the rationale behind using either 2 fingers or 2 thumbs for infant
compressions during CPR.
Using 1 finger is sufficient for infants since they are smaller.
Using 2 hands provides better support for the infant's body.
Using 1 hand is easier for the rescuer to manage.
Using 2 fingers or 2 thumbs allows for effective compression while minimizing
the risk of injury to the infant's chest.
9. What action should be taken if a child has a pulse of 64/min but is not breathing
normally?
Administer AED
Begin CPR
Provide rescue breathing
Monitor
10. What is a potential complication of bag-mask ventilation in a child with lower
airway obstruction?
Increased heart rate
Risk of lung collapse
Improved oxygenation
Decreased blood supply to the heart
, 11. What is the purpose of the non-rebreather valve and exhalation port of a bag-valve
mask?
To prevent the patient from inhaling the rescuer's exhalations
To slow down the patient's respiratory rate
To prevent the patient from inhaling the air that was just exhaled
To filter toxins and gases from ambient air
12. Describe how dissolved oxygen levels can influence arterial oxygen levels in
children with severe anemia.
In children with severe anemia, increasing dissolved oxygen can lead to an
increase in arterial oxygen levels despite low hemoglobin.
Arterial oxygen levels are solely dependent on hemoglobin concentration.
Increased dissolved oxygen decreases arterial oxygen levels in severe anemia.
Dissolved oxygen does not affect arterial oxygen levels in any condition.
13. Which part of the body is recommended for assessing skin temperature in children?
The forehead
The palm of the hand
The back of the hand
The wrist
14. Which of the following is true about airway resistance?
Support | 2026 | Graded A+
1. What is one situation in which the 2-person bag-mask technique is recommended?
When using an AED
When making a seal is difficult
When the patient is conscious
When performing chest compressions
2. Which of the following medications are important to include in the patient history?
Prescription medications
Over-the-counter (OTC) medications
Supplements
All of the above
3. What is one common cause of airway obstruction in children during respiratory
distress?
Mucus plugging
Increased lung capacity
Decreased heart rate
Excessive oxygenation
4. In a scenario where a child is experiencing severe respiratory distress and requires
ventilation assistance, how would you implement the 2-person bagmask technique
effectively?
, By ensuring one person maintains the mask seal while the other provides
positive pressure ventilation.
By using an AED before attempting ventilation.
By having one person hold the child's head while the other performs chest
compressions.
By having both individuals alternate compressions and ventilation.
5. Describe the potential risks associated with bag-mask ventilation in pediatric
patients experiencing lower airway obstruction.
Bag-mask ventilation improves blood supply to the heart without
complications.
Bag-mask ventilation can lead to complications such as lung collapse due to
increased pressure in the lungs.
Bag-mask ventilation is only used in adults, not children.
Bag-mask ventilation is always safe and has no risks.
6. Describe why optimizing oxygen content in the blood is crucial in the treatment of
shock.
Optimizing oxygen content in the blood is crucial because it ensures that
tissues receive adequate oxygen for metabolism and function.
Optimizing oxygen content in the blood is crucial for increasing blood volume.
Optimizing oxygen content in the blood is crucial to stabilize blood pressure.
Optimizing oxygen content in the blood is crucial to prevent dehydration.
7. When an AED becomes available, what is the first step you should take to operate
the AED?
, Give 2 rescue breaths before using the AED.
Turn on the AED.
Place the AED pads on the chest.
Finish 5 cycles of chest compressions.
8. Describe the rationale behind using either 2 fingers or 2 thumbs for infant
compressions during CPR.
Using 1 finger is sufficient for infants since they are smaller.
Using 2 hands provides better support for the infant's body.
Using 1 hand is easier for the rescuer to manage.
Using 2 fingers or 2 thumbs allows for effective compression while minimizing
the risk of injury to the infant's chest.
9. What action should be taken if a child has a pulse of 64/min but is not breathing
normally?
Administer AED
Begin CPR
Provide rescue breathing
Monitor
10. What is a potential complication of bag-mask ventilation in a child with lower
airway obstruction?
Increased heart rate
Risk of lung collapse
Improved oxygenation
Decreased blood supply to the heart
, 11. What is the purpose of the non-rebreather valve and exhalation port of a bag-valve
mask?
To prevent the patient from inhaling the rescuer's exhalations
To slow down the patient's respiratory rate
To prevent the patient from inhaling the air that was just exhaled
To filter toxins and gases from ambient air
12. Describe how dissolved oxygen levels can influence arterial oxygen levels in
children with severe anemia.
In children with severe anemia, increasing dissolved oxygen can lead to an
increase in arterial oxygen levels despite low hemoglobin.
Arterial oxygen levels are solely dependent on hemoglobin concentration.
Increased dissolved oxygen decreases arterial oxygen levels in severe anemia.
Dissolved oxygen does not affect arterial oxygen levels in any condition.
13. Which part of the body is recommended for assessing skin temperature in children?
The forehead
The palm of the hand
The back of the hand
The wrist
14. Which of the following is true about airway resistance?
