Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS) Certification Mock Exam
Practice 100 Questions And Correct Answers (Verified Answers)
Plus Rationales 2026 Q&A | Instant Download Pdf
1. A child in cardiac arrest is found to be in ventricular fibrillation. After the first shock,
what is the next immediate action?
A. Check pulse
B. Administer epinephrine
C. Resume CPR
D. Give amiodarone
C. Resume CPR
Immediate high-quality CPR after defibrillation improves coronary perfusion before the
next rhythm check.
2. What is the correct compression-to-ventilation ratio for two rescuers in pediatric CPR?
A. 30:2
B. 15:2
C. 10:2
D. 20:2
B. 15:2
Two-rescuer pediatric CPR uses a 15:2 ratio to improve ventilation frequency.
3. What is the recommended initial dose of epinephrine in pediatric cardiac arrest?
A. 0.001 mg/kg
B. 0.01 mg/kg
C. 0.1 mg/kg
D. 1 mg/kg
B. 0.01 mg/kg
This is the standard IV/IO dose during cardiac arrest.
4. Which rhythm is most commonly associated with pediatric cardiac arrest?
A. Ventricular fibrillation
B. Pulseless ventricular tachycardia
C. Asystole
D. Bradycardia progressing to asystole
D. Bradycardia progressing to asystole
Children often arrest due to hypoxia leading to bradycardia and then asystole.
5. What is the first step in managing a child with respiratory distress?
A. Administer epinephrine
B. Perform intubation
C. Assess airway, breathing, circulation
D. Start chest compressions
C. Assess airway, breathing, circulation
Initial assessment guides appropriate intervention.
6. What oxygen saturation level indicates hypoxemia in children?
A. >98%
B. 95%
C. <94%
, D. <99%
C. <94%
Oxygen saturation below 94% indicates inadequate oxygenation.
7. Which drug is preferred for pulseless ventricular tachycardia after defibrillation?
A. Atropine
B. Lidocaine
C. Epinephrine
D. Adenosine
C. Epinephrine
Epinephrine is given every 3–5 minutes in cardiac arrest.
8. What is the correct compression depth in pediatric CPR?
A. 1/4 chest depth
B. 1/2 chest depth
C. At least 1/3 chest depth
D. Full chest depth
C. At least 1/3 chest depth
Ensures adequate perfusion without causing excessive injury.
9. What is the recommended rate of chest compressions?
A. 80–100/min
B. 100–120/min
C. 60–80/min
D. 120–140/min
B. 100–120/min
Optimal rate maximizes cardiac output during CPR.
10. Which condition is a reversible cause of cardiac arrest (Hs & Ts)?
A. Hypertension
B. Hyperkalemia
C. Hypoglycemia
D. Hypocalcemia
B. Hyperkalemia
Electrolyte imbalances like hyperkalemia are reversible causes.
11. What is the preferred route for drug delivery during pediatric resuscitation?
A. Oral
B. Intramuscular
C. Intravenous or intraosseous
D. Subcutaneous
C. Intravenous or intraosseous
Provides rapid and reliable drug delivery.
12. What is the first-line treatment for symptomatic bradycardia in children?
A. Atropine
B. Epinephrine
C. Oxygen and ventilation
D. Defibrillation
C. Oxygen and ventilation
Hypoxia is the most common cause of bradycardia in children.
, 13. What is the maximum single dose of epinephrine in pediatric arrest?
A. 0.1 mg
B. 0.5 mg
C. 1 mg
D. 2 mg
C. 1 mg
Maximum dose should not exceed adult dosing.
14. What is the correct defibrillation dose for pediatric VF/pVT?
A. 1 J/kg
B. 2 J/kg
C. 4 J/kg
D. 10 J/kg
B. 2 J/kg
Initial dose is 2 J/kg, escalating if needed.
15. What is the most common cause of shock in children?
A. Cardiogenic
B. Septic
C. Hypovolemic
D. Neurogenic
C. Hypovolemic
Often due to dehydration or blood loss.
16. Which sign indicates poor perfusion?
A. Warm extremities
B. Capillary refill <2 sec
C. Altered mental status
D. Strong pulses
C. Altered mental status
Indicates inadequate cerebral perfusion.
17. What is the preferred treatment for SVT with poor perfusion?
A. Adenosine
B. Vagal maneuvers
C. Synchronized cardioversion
D. Amiodarone
C. Synchronized cardioversion
Immediate cardioversion is required if unstable.
18. What is the dose of adenosine for SVT?
A. 0.01 mg/kg
B. 0.1 mg/kg
C. 1 mg/kg
D. 10 mg/kg
B. 0.1 mg/kg
Rapid IV push followed by saline flush.
19. Which airway adjunct is used in unconscious patients without gag reflex?
A. Nasopharyngeal airway
B. Oropharyngeal airway
C. Endotracheal tube
Practice 100 Questions And Correct Answers (Verified Answers)
Plus Rationales 2026 Q&A | Instant Download Pdf
1. A child in cardiac arrest is found to be in ventricular fibrillation. After the first shock,
what is the next immediate action?
A. Check pulse
B. Administer epinephrine
C. Resume CPR
D. Give amiodarone
C. Resume CPR
Immediate high-quality CPR after defibrillation improves coronary perfusion before the
next rhythm check.
2. What is the correct compression-to-ventilation ratio for two rescuers in pediatric CPR?
A. 30:2
B. 15:2
C. 10:2
D. 20:2
B. 15:2
Two-rescuer pediatric CPR uses a 15:2 ratio to improve ventilation frequency.
3. What is the recommended initial dose of epinephrine in pediatric cardiac arrest?
A. 0.001 mg/kg
B. 0.01 mg/kg
C. 0.1 mg/kg
D. 1 mg/kg
B. 0.01 mg/kg
This is the standard IV/IO dose during cardiac arrest.
4. Which rhythm is most commonly associated with pediatric cardiac arrest?
A. Ventricular fibrillation
B. Pulseless ventricular tachycardia
C. Asystole
D. Bradycardia progressing to asystole
D. Bradycardia progressing to asystole
Children often arrest due to hypoxia leading to bradycardia and then asystole.
5. What is the first step in managing a child with respiratory distress?
A. Administer epinephrine
B. Perform intubation
C. Assess airway, breathing, circulation
D. Start chest compressions
C. Assess airway, breathing, circulation
Initial assessment guides appropriate intervention.
6. What oxygen saturation level indicates hypoxemia in children?
A. >98%
B. 95%
C. <94%
, D. <99%
C. <94%
Oxygen saturation below 94% indicates inadequate oxygenation.
7. Which drug is preferred for pulseless ventricular tachycardia after defibrillation?
A. Atropine
B. Lidocaine
C. Epinephrine
D. Adenosine
C. Epinephrine
Epinephrine is given every 3–5 minutes in cardiac arrest.
8. What is the correct compression depth in pediatric CPR?
A. 1/4 chest depth
B. 1/2 chest depth
C. At least 1/3 chest depth
D. Full chest depth
C. At least 1/3 chest depth
Ensures adequate perfusion without causing excessive injury.
9. What is the recommended rate of chest compressions?
A. 80–100/min
B. 100–120/min
C. 60–80/min
D. 120–140/min
B. 100–120/min
Optimal rate maximizes cardiac output during CPR.
10. Which condition is a reversible cause of cardiac arrest (Hs & Ts)?
A. Hypertension
B. Hyperkalemia
C. Hypoglycemia
D. Hypocalcemia
B. Hyperkalemia
Electrolyte imbalances like hyperkalemia are reversible causes.
11. What is the preferred route for drug delivery during pediatric resuscitation?
A. Oral
B. Intramuscular
C. Intravenous or intraosseous
D. Subcutaneous
C. Intravenous or intraosseous
Provides rapid and reliable drug delivery.
12. What is the first-line treatment for symptomatic bradycardia in children?
A. Atropine
B. Epinephrine
C. Oxygen and ventilation
D. Defibrillation
C. Oxygen and ventilation
Hypoxia is the most common cause of bradycardia in children.
, 13. What is the maximum single dose of epinephrine in pediatric arrest?
A. 0.1 mg
B. 0.5 mg
C. 1 mg
D. 2 mg
C. 1 mg
Maximum dose should not exceed adult dosing.
14. What is the correct defibrillation dose for pediatric VF/pVT?
A. 1 J/kg
B. 2 J/kg
C. 4 J/kg
D. 10 J/kg
B. 2 J/kg
Initial dose is 2 J/kg, escalating if needed.
15. What is the most common cause of shock in children?
A. Cardiogenic
B. Septic
C. Hypovolemic
D. Neurogenic
C. Hypovolemic
Often due to dehydration or blood loss.
16. Which sign indicates poor perfusion?
A. Warm extremities
B. Capillary refill <2 sec
C. Altered mental status
D. Strong pulses
C. Altered mental status
Indicates inadequate cerebral perfusion.
17. What is the preferred treatment for SVT with poor perfusion?
A. Adenosine
B. Vagal maneuvers
C. Synchronized cardioversion
D. Amiodarone
C. Synchronized cardioversion
Immediate cardioversion is required if unstable.
18. What is the dose of adenosine for SVT?
A. 0.01 mg/kg
B. 0.1 mg/kg
C. 1 mg/kg
D. 10 mg/kg
B. 0.1 mg/kg
Rapid IV push followed by saline flush.
19. Which airway adjunct is used in unconscious patients without gag reflex?
A. Nasopharyngeal airway
B. Oropharyngeal airway
C. Endotracheal tube
