PALS FINAL TEST EXAM QUESTIONS
AND ANSWERS 100% PASS 2026/2027
A 2-year-old child arrives at the emergency department with the parents. The child is
unresponsive, is not breathing and has no pulse. Two emergency department providers begin
high-quality CPR. Which action(s) by the providers demonstrates high-quality CPR? -
ANS Allowing the chest to recoil fully after each compression, Giving 2 ventilations to every
15 compressions, Compressing the chest about 2 inches, Providing ventilations that last about 1
second each
A 12-lead ECG is ordered for a child complaining of a "racing heart." When placing the
electrodes on the child, at which location would the lead for V4 be placed? - ANS Fifth
intercostal space at midclavicular line, left side
A provider is caring for a 4-year-old child in the urgent care clinic. Primary assessment reveals
difficulty breathing and an oxygen saturation of 91%. The provider administers oxygen by nasal
cannula with the goal of improving the child's oxygen saturation above what percentage? -
ANS 94%
A 7-year-old child collapses on the playground at school. The school nurse is called to the scene
and determines that the child is unresponsive and is not breathing and has no pulse. The nurse
initiates CPR. At what rate and depth would the nurse deliver compressions to this child? -
ANS 100 to 120 compressions per minute at a depth of about 2 inches
@2026 ALLRIGHTS RESERVED 1
, A 4-year-old child suddenly collapses in the playroom of the facility. A healthcare provider
observes the event and hurries over to assess the child. The healthcare provider completes
which assessment first? - ANS Rapid assessment
The PALS team leader is conducting a debriefing session with the team. Which topic(s) would
the team leader most likely address during the session? - ANS Identification of ways to
improve, Discussion of the pros and cons of the interventions, Evaluation of the objective data
gathered during the event, Summary of the event, including what actions were taken
A 10-year-old child has collapsed in the gym of the elementary school. The school nurse arrives
and determines that the child is unresponsive. The school nurse then simultaneously checks for
breathing and a central pulse, limiting this assessment to which time frame? - ANS At least 5
seconds, but no more than 10
An advanced airway was placed in a 5-year-old child. Which action(s) would be most
appropriate for the team to take to confirm correct placement? - ANS Observe for bilateral
chest rise, Evaluate results of capnography, Auscultate over the lungs and epigastrium for air
movement.
A child requires cardiac monitoring. A three-electrode system is being used. At which location
would the provider place the red electrode? - ANS On the lower left abdomen
A provider is forming an initial impression of a child using the Pediatric Assessment Triangle
(PAT). During which step of the PAT may the provider use the mnemonic TICLS to assess the
patient? - ANS Appearance
A healthcare provider is performing a primary assessment of a child in respiratory distress. The
provider documents increased work of breathing when which findings are observed? -
ANS Sternal retractions, Accessory muscle use, Nasal flaring
@2026 ALLRIGHTS RESERVED 2
AND ANSWERS 100% PASS 2026/2027
A 2-year-old child arrives at the emergency department with the parents. The child is
unresponsive, is not breathing and has no pulse. Two emergency department providers begin
high-quality CPR. Which action(s) by the providers demonstrates high-quality CPR? -
ANS Allowing the chest to recoil fully after each compression, Giving 2 ventilations to every
15 compressions, Compressing the chest about 2 inches, Providing ventilations that last about 1
second each
A 12-lead ECG is ordered for a child complaining of a "racing heart." When placing the
electrodes on the child, at which location would the lead for V4 be placed? - ANS Fifth
intercostal space at midclavicular line, left side
A provider is caring for a 4-year-old child in the urgent care clinic. Primary assessment reveals
difficulty breathing and an oxygen saturation of 91%. The provider administers oxygen by nasal
cannula with the goal of improving the child's oxygen saturation above what percentage? -
ANS 94%
A 7-year-old child collapses on the playground at school. The school nurse is called to the scene
and determines that the child is unresponsive and is not breathing and has no pulse. The nurse
initiates CPR. At what rate and depth would the nurse deliver compressions to this child? -
ANS 100 to 120 compressions per minute at a depth of about 2 inches
@2026 ALLRIGHTS RESERVED 1
, A 4-year-old child suddenly collapses in the playroom of the facility. A healthcare provider
observes the event and hurries over to assess the child. The healthcare provider completes
which assessment first? - ANS Rapid assessment
The PALS team leader is conducting a debriefing session with the team. Which topic(s) would
the team leader most likely address during the session? - ANS Identification of ways to
improve, Discussion of the pros and cons of the interventions, Evaluation of the objective data
gathered during the event, Summary of the event, including what actions were taken
A 10-year-old child has collapsed in the gym of the elementary school. The school nurse arrives
and determines that the child is unresponsive. The school nurse then simultaneously checks for
breathing and a central pulse, limiting this assessment to which time frame? - ANS At least 5
seconds, but no more than 10
An advanced airway was placed in a 5-year-old child. Which action(s) would be most
appropriate for the team to take to confirm correct placement? - ANS Observe for bilateral
chest rise, Evaluate results of capnography, Auscultate over the lungs and epigastrium for air
movement.
A child requires cardiac monitoring. A three-electrode system is being used. At which location
would the provider place the red electrode? - ANS On the lower left abdomen
A provider is forming an initial impression of a child using the Pediatric Assessment Triangle
(PAT). During which step of the PAT may the provider use the mnemonic TICLS to assess the
patient? - ANS Appearance
A healthcare provider is performing a primary assessment of a child in respiratory distress. The
provider documents increased work of breathing when which findings are observed? -
ANS Sternal retractions, Accessory muscle use, Nasal flaring
@2026 ALLRIGHTS RESERVED 2
