PALS POST TEST EXAM SCRIPT 2026
TESTED QUESTIONS WITH VERIFIED
ANSWERS GRADED A+
⩥ What is the next immediate action the team should implement?
Answer: Perform needle thoracentesis.
⩥ Once the tension pneumothorax is decompressed, what is the next step
of care for Emily? Answer: Placement of a thoracostomy tube
⩥ Dr. Foley urges immediate care for Sara because she suspects which
condition? Answer: Septic shock
⩥ Based on the primary assessment findings and Dr. Foley's suspicion of
septic shock, what is the next immediate action that the team should
implement? Answer: Establish vascular access.
⩥ After establishing vascular access, what is the next immediate action
that the team should take? Answer: Administer 20 mL/kg of normal
saline over 5 to 10 minutes.
⩥ According to evidence-based septic shock guidelines, Dr. Carter
understands that which important measure should be initiated no later
, than 1 hour after Sara's presentation of septic shock? Answer: Antibiotic
therapy
⩥ After consulting critical care specialists, which intervention would be
most appropriate? Answer: Administer epinephrine.
⩥ What care measures would be appropriate for Dr. Foley and the team
to consider at this time? Answer: These include the CVP and ScvO2,
which is thought to be an indirect measure of tissue oxygenation.
Specifically, fluid and vasoactive medications are titrated to maintain a
CVP of 8 to 12 mmHg and ScvO2 >70%. Additional measures that may
be considered include transfusion of PRBCs if hemoglobin level is <10
g/dL. Additional fluid boluses are provided, as needed. Vasoactive
therapy is individualized based on the character of shock (i.e., cold vs
warm) and blood pressure. In this case of cold shock with a low blood
pressure, a vasopressor agent such as epinephrine is continued and
norepinephrine is added, as needed to restore blood pressure. Milrinone
may be added to the epinephrine infusion if BP is adequate, but in this
case, Sara's BP remains low.
⩥ What volume of normal saline would be appropriate for Efraim's
initial fluid bolus? Answer: 5 to 10 mL/kg
⩥ Which additional interventions should be performed? Answer: Initiate
prostaglandin E1 infusion.
Consider intubation and mechanical ventilation.
TESTED QUESTIONS WITH VERIFIED
ANSWERS GRADED A+
⩥ What is the next immediate action the team should implement?
Answer: Perform needle thoracentesis.
⩥ Once the tension pneumothorax is decompressed, what is the next step
of care for Emily? Answer: Placement of a thoracostomy tube
⩥ Dr. Foley urges immediate care for Sara because she suspects which
condition? Answer: Septic shock
⩥ Based on the primary assessment findings and Dr. Foley's suspicion of
septic shock, what is the next immediate action that the team should
implement? Answer: Establish vascular access.
⩥ After establishing vascular access, what is the next immediate action
that the team should take? Answer: Administer 20 mL/kg of normal
saline over 5 to 10 minutes.
⩥ According to evidence-based septic shock guidelines, Dr. Carter
understands that which important measure should be initiated no later
, than 1 hour after Sara's presentation of septic shock? Answer: Antibiotic
therapy
⩥ After consulting critical care specialists, which intervention would be
most appropriate? Answer: Administer epinephrine.
⩥ What care measures would be appropriate for Dr. Foley and the team
to consider at this time? Answer: These include the CVP and ScvO2,
which is thought to be an indirect measure of tissue oxygenation.
Specifically, fluid and vasoactive medications are titrated to maintain a
CVP of 8 to 12 mmHg and ScvO2 >70%. Additional measures that may
be considered include transfusion of PRBCs if hemoglobin level is <10
g/dL. Additional fluid boluses are provided, as needed. Vasoactive
therapy is individualized based on the character of shock (i.e., cold vs
warm) and blood pressure. In this case of cold shock with a low blood
pressure, a vasopressor agent such as epinephrine is continued and
norepinephrine is added, as needed to restore blood pressure. Milrinone
may be added to the epinephrine infusion if BP is adequate, but in this
case, Sara's BP remains low.
⩥ What volume of normal saline would be appropriate for Efraim's
initial fluid bolus? Answer: 5 to 10 mL/kg
⩥ Which additional interventions should be performed? Answer: Initiate
prostaglandin E1 infusion.
Consider intubation and mechanical ventilation.
