PALS RED CROSS FINAL EXAM QUESTIONS AND
ANSWERS
A 5-year-old child with a history of a chronic neuromuscular disease is
experiencing respiratory distress. The child is breathing spontaneously and
receiving supplemental oxygen. Which additional intervention is a critical
component of airway management for this patient? Ans - Airway
clearance (e.g., suctioning)
A child being cared for in the pediatric telemetry unit suddenly displays the
following ECG waveform. The provider prepares to intervene because the
child is demonstrating which type of arrhythmia? Ans - Supraventricular
tachycardia
A child in cardiac arrest experiences return of spontaneous circulation but is
exhibiting signs of post-cardiac arrest syndrome (PCAS). The PALS
resuscitation team determines that the child is experiencing a systemic
response to ischemia/reperfusion. The team bases this determination on
which finding(s)? Ans - Hypotension, fever, hyperglycemia
An 11-year-old soccer player is brought to the emergency department. After
a quick assessment, the team realizes this patient is experiencing a severe
asthma exacerbation. Which medication would the team administer
immediately? Ans - Albuterol with or without ipratropium bromide
After ROSC, a child is experiencing post-cardiac arrest hypoperfusion. The
PALS resuscitation team would administer which element to restore
intravascular volume and optimize preload? Ans - Isotonic fluid boluses
A 2-year-old child of unknown weight arrives at the emergency department
in cardiac arrest. When preparing to administer medications, which action
would be appropriate for the team to take? Ans - Estimate weight using
a length-based resuscitation tape.
A 4-year-old child is brought to the emergency department by the parents.
Assessment reveals that the child has only gasping respirations and the
pulse rate is 65 beats per minute. Which action would the provider initiate
first? Ans - Deliver 1 BVM ventilation every 2 to 3 seconds.
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 - 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, Identification of ways to improve
, The PALS resuscitation team notes the following ECG waveform and the child
does not have a pulse. The team prepares to intervene to address which
arrhythmia? Ans - Torsades de pointes
What is the correct IV/IO dose of epinephrine for a pediatric patient in
cardiac arrest? Ans - 0.01 mg/kg every 3 to 5 min (max single dose 1
mg)
Assessment of a 3-month-old infant admitted with respiratory distress
reveals fever, grunting and a wet, "junky" cough. The infant's parents said
the child had a recent respiratory infection with a fever. A rapid respiratory
syncytial virus (RSV) test is positive. Which condition would the provider
most likely suspect as the cause? Ans - Bronchiolitis
A child is experiencing supraventricular tachycardia (SVT) with adequate
perfusion and is to receive treatment. Which initial treatment would the
provider administer? Ans - Vagal maneuvers
A healthcare provider notices petechiae on the arms and legs while
performing a rapid skin assessment of a child with a high fever and
respiratory distress. Based on this assessment, which condition should the
provider consider? Ans - Life-threatening systemic infection
A 7-year-old patient with septic shock has received three balanced/buffered
crystalloid fluid boluses (60-mL/kg) and reassessment reveals capillary refill
of 3 seconds, diminished pulses, narrow pulse pressure and cool, mottled
extremities. The emergency response team interprets these findings as
indicating which type of septic shock? Ans - Fluid-refractory
A 30-month old child has been diagnosed with moderate croup. Which
medication(s) would the provider administer? Ans - Nebulized
epinephrine, Corticosteroids
A child exhibiting a narrow-complex tachycardia with adequate perfusion is
to receive adenosine. The provider would be alert for which result after
administering this medication? Ans - Transient asystole
A child experiencing bradycardia with inadequate perfusion despite
supporting oxygenation and ventilation is receiving compressions. Despite
these efforts, the child's status remains unchanged. Which medication would
the emergency response team expect to administer next? Ans -
Epinephrine
A child in the pediatric intensive care unit displays the following ECG
waveform. The child has no pulse. The resuscitation team interprets this as
which arrhythmia? Ans - Monomorphic pulseless ventricular tachycardia
ANSWERS
A 5-year-old child with a history of a chronic neuromuscular disease is
experiencing respiratory distress. The child is breathing spontaneously and
receiving supplemental oxygen. Which additional intervention is a critical
component of airway management for this patient? Ans - Airway
clearance (e.g., suctioning)
A child being cared for in the pediatric telemetry unit suddenly displays the
following ECG waveform. The provider prepares to intervene because the
child is demonstrating which type of arrhythmia? Ans - Supraventricular
tachycardia
A child in cardiac arrest experiences return of spontaneous circulation but is
exhibiting signs of post-cardiac arrest syndrome (PCAS). The PALS
resuscitation team determines that the child is experiencing a systemic
response to ischemia/reperfusion. The team bases this determination on
which finding(s)? Ans - Hypotension, fever, hyperglycemia
An 11-year-old soccer player is brought to the emergency department. After
a quick assessment, the team realizes this patient is experiencing a severe
asthma exacerbation. Which medication would the team administer
immediately? Ans - Albuterol with or without ipratropium bromide
After ROSC, a child is experiencing post-cardiac arrest hypoperfusion. The
PALS resuscitation team would administer which element to restore
intravascular volume and optimize preload? Ans - Isotonic fluid boluses
A 2-year-old child of unknown weight arrives at the emergency department
in cardiac arrest. When preparing to administer medications, which action
would be appropriate for the team to take? Ans - Estimate weight using
a length-based resuscitation tape.
A 4-year-old child is brought to the emergency department by the parents.
Assessment reveals that the child has only gasping respirations and the
pulse rate is 65 beats per minute. Which action would the provider initiate
first? Ans - Deliver 1 BVM ventilation every 2 to 3 seconds.
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 - 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, Identification of ways to improve
, The PALS resuscitation team notes the following ECG waveform and the child
does not have a pulse. The team prepares to intervene to address which
arrhythmia? Ans - Torsades de pointes
What is the correct IV/IO dose of epinephrine for a pediatric patient in
cardiac arrest? Ans - 0.01 mg/kg every 3 to 5 min (max single dose 1
mg)
Assessment of a 3-month-old infant admitted with respiratory distress
reveals fever, grunting and a wet, "junky" cough. The infant's parents said
the child had a recent respiratory infection with a fever. A rapid respiratory
syncytial virus (RSV) test is positive. Which condition would the provider
most likely suspect as the cause? Ans - Bronchiolitis
A child is experiencing supraventricular tachycardia (SVT) with adequate
perfusion and is to receive treatment. Which initial treatment would the
provider administer? Ans - Vagal maneuvers
A healthcare provider notices petechiae on the arms and legs while
performing a rapid skin assessment of a child with a high fever and
respiratory distress. Based on this assessment, which condition should the
provider consider? Ans - Life-threatening systemic infection
A 7-year-old patient with septic shock has received three balanced/buffered
crystalloid fluid boluses (60-mL/kg) and reassessment reveals capillary refill
of 3 seconds, diminished pulses, narrow pulse pressure and cool, mottled
extremities. The emergency response team interprets these findings as
indicating which type of septic shock? Ans - Fluid-refractory
A 30-month old child has been diagnosed with moderate croup. Which
medication(s) would the provider administer? Ans - Nebulized
epinephrine, Corticosteroids
A child exhibiting a narrow-complex tachycardia with adequate perfusion is
to receive adenosine. The provider would be alert for which result after
administering this medication? Ans - Transient asystole
A child experiencing bradycardia with inadequate perfusion despite
supporting oxygenation and ventilation is receiving compressions. Despite
these efforts, the child's status remains unchanged. Which medication would
the emergency response team expect to administer next? Ans -
Epinephrine
A child in the pediatric intensive care unit displays the following ECG
waveform. The child has no pulse. The resuscitation team interprets this as
which arrhythmia? Ans - Monomorphic pulseless ventricular tachycardia
