AHA PALS EXAM ACTUAL EXAM TEST BANK QUESTIONS AND
CORRECT DETAILED ANSWERS WITH RATIONALES (VERIFIED
ANSWERS) ALREADY GRADED A+NEWEST VERSION
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 ANS: 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 ANS: 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 ANS: 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 ANS: 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 ANS: 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 ANS: 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 ANS: 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
CORRECT ANS: Decreased oxygen saturation
CORRECT DETAILED ANSWERS WITH RATIONALES (VERIFIED
ANSWERS) ALREADY GRADED A+NEWEST VERSION
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 ANS: 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 ANS: 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 ANS: 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 ANS: 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 ANS: 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 ANS: 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 ANS: 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
CORRECT ANS: Decreased oxygen saturation
