AHA PALS Exam Questions &
Answers Fall 2025/2026.
Course
AHA PALS
1. A child becomes unresponsive and is not breathing normally. The monitor shows
ventricular fibrillation (VF). What is the first shock dose?
A. 1 J/kg
B. 2 J/kg
C. 4 J/kg
D. 10 J/kg
Correct Answer: B. 2 J/kg
Rationale: For pediatric VF/pulseless VT, the initial shock dose is 2 J/kg. Subsequent shocks
should be at least 4 J/kg, not exceeding 10 J/kg or adult dose.
2. During high-quality CPR for an infant, what is the recommended compression depth?
A. 1 inch (2.5 cm)
B. About 1.5 inches (4 cm)
C. About 2 inches (5 cm)
D. About 3 inches (7.5 cm)
Correct Answer: B. About 1.5 inches (4 cm)
Rationale: Compress the chest at least one-third the anterior-posterior diameter, approximately
1.5 inches (4 cm) in infants.
3. Which rhythm is considered shockable in pediatric cardiac arrest?
A. Asystole
B. Pulseless electrical activity (PEA)
C. Ventricular fibrillation (VF)
D. Sinus bradycardia
Correct Answer: C. Ventricular fibrillation (VF)
Rationale: Shockable rhythms include VF and pulseless ventricular tachycardia (VT).
4. What is the compression-to-ventilation ratio for 2-rescuer CPR in infants and children?
,A. 15:2
B. 30:2
C. 5:1
D. 10:1
Correct Answer: A. 15:2
Rationale: For infants and children, 2-rescuer CPR uses a 15:2 ratio.
5. A child has symptomatic bradycardia despite adequate oxygenation and ventilation.
What medication should be administered first?
A. Epinephrine
B. Adenosine
C. Lidocaine
D. Amiodarone
Correct Answer: A. Epinephrine
Rationale: Epinephrine is the first-line medication for symptomatic pediatric bradycardia not
responsive to oxygenation and ventilation.
6. What is the recommended rate for chest compressions during pediatric CPR?
A. 60–80/min
B. 80–100/min
C. 100–120/min
D. 140–160/min
Correct Answer: C. 100–120/min
Rationale: Effective compressions should be delivered at 100–120 per minute.
7. Which of the following is a common reversible cause of pediatric cardiac arrest?
A. Hypertension
B. Hypoxia
C. Hyperglycemia
D. Migraine
Correct Answer: B. Hypoxia
Rationale: Respiratory failure and hypoxia are leading causes of pediatric cardiac arrest.
, 8. A child with supraventricular tachycardia (SVT) remains stable after vagal maneuvers
fail. Which medication should be given next?
A. Epinephrine
B. Atropine
C. Adenosine
D. Magnesium Sulfate
Correct Answer: C. Adenosine
Rationale: Adenosine is the preferred medication for stable SVT after unsuccessful vagal
maneuvers.
9. What is the pediatric epinephrine dose during cardiac arrest?
A. 0.1 mg/kg IV/IO
B. 0.01 mg/kg IV/IO
C. 1 mg/kg IV/IO
D. 0.5 mg/kg IV/IO
Correct Answer: B. 0.01 mg/kg IV/IO
Rationale: The recommended dose is 0.01 mg/kg IV/IO of the 0.1 mg/mL (1:10,000)
concentration every 3–5 minutes.
10. During effective CPR, which capnography reading generally indicates adequate
compression quality?
A. ETCO₂ less than 5 mmHg
B. ETCO₂ less than 10 mmHg
C. ETCO₂ greater than or equal to 10–15 mmHg
D. ETCO₂ greater than 60 mmHg
Correct Answer: C. ETCO₂ greater than or equal to 10–15 mmHg
Rationale: Persistent ETCO₂ values ≥10–15 mmHg suggest effective chest compressions and
perfusion during resuscitation.
Questions 11–30
11. What is the most common cause of cardiac arrest in children?
Answers Fall 2025/2026.
Course
AHA PALS
1. A child becomes unresponsive and is not breathing normally. The monitor shows
ventricular fibrillation (VF). What is the first shock dose?
A. 1 J/kg
B. 2 J/kg
C. 4 J/kg
D. 10 J/kg
Correct Answer: B. 2 J/kg
Rationale: For pediatric VF/pulseless VT, the initial shock dose is 2 J/kg. Subsequent shocks
should be at least 4 J/kg, not exceeding 10 J/kg or adult dose.
2. During high-quality CPR for an infant, what is the recommended compression depth?
A. 1 inch (2.5 cm)
B. About 1.5 inches (4 cm)
C. About 2 inches (5 cm)
D. About 3 inches (7.5 cm)
Correct Answer: B. About 1.5 inches (4 cm)
Rationale: Compress the chest at least one-third the anterior-posterior diameter, approximately
1.5 inches (4 cm) in infants.
3. Which rhythm is considered shockable in pediatric cardiac arrest?
A. Asystole
B. Pulseless electrical activity (PEA)
C. Ventricular fibrillation (VF)
D. Sinus bradycardia
Correct Answer: C. Ventricular fibrillation (VF)
Rationale: Shockable rhythms include VF and pulseless ventricular tachycardia (VT).
4. What is the compression-to-ventilation ratio for 2-rescuer CPR in infants and children?
,A. 15:2
B. 30:2
C. 5:1
D. 10:1
Correct Answer: A. 15:2
Rationale: For infants and children, 2-rescuer CPR uses a 15:2 ratio.
5. A child has symptomatic bradycardia despite adequate oxygenation and ventilation.
What medication should be administered first?
A. Epinephrine
B. Adenosine
C. Lidocaine
D. Amiodarone
Correct Answer: A. Epinephrine
Rationale: Epinephrine is the first-line medication for symptomatic pediatric bradycardia not
responsive to oxygenation and ventilation.
6. What is the recommended rate for chest compressions during pediatric CPR?
A. 60–80/min
B. 80–100/min
C. 100–120/min
D. 140–160/min
Correct Answer: C. 100–120/min
Rationale: Effective compressions should be delivered at 100–120 per minute.
7. Which of the following is a common reversible cause of pediatric cardiac arrest?
A. Hypertension
B. Hypoxia
C. Hyperglycemia
D. Migraine
Correct Answer: B. Hypoxia
Rationale: Respiratory failure and hypoxia are leading causes of pediatric cardiac arrest.
, 8. A child with supraventricular tachycardia (SVT) remains stable after vagal maneuvers
fail. Which medication should be given next?
A. Epinephrine
B. Atropine
C. Adenosine
D. Magnesium Sulfate
Correct Answer: C. Adenosine
Rationale: Adenosine is the preferred medication for stable SVT after unsuccessful vagal
maneuvers.
9. What is the pediatric epinephrine dose during cardiac arrest?
A. 0.1 mg/kg IV/IO
B. 0.01 mg/kg IV/IO
C. 1 mg/kg IV/IO
D. 0.5 mg/kg IV/IO
Correct Answer: B. 0.01 mg/kg IV/IO
Rationale: The recommended dose is 0.01 mg/kg IV/IO of the 0.1 mg/mL (1:10,000)
concentration every 3–5 minutes.
10. During effective CPR, which capnography reading generally indicates adequate
compression quality?
A. ETCO₂ less than 5 mmHg
B. ETCO₂ less than 10 mmHg
C. ETCO₂ greater than or equal to 10–15 mmHg
D. ETCO₂ greater than 60 mmHg
Correct Answer: C. ETCO₂ greater than or equal to 10–15 mmHg
Rationale: Persistent ETCO₂ values ≥10–15 mmHg suggest effective chest compressions and
perfusion during resuscitation.
Questions 11–30
11. What is the most common cause of cardiac arrest in children?
