AHA PALS EXAM NEWEST 2026 ACTUAL EXAM TEST BANK MOST TESTED
QUESTIONS AND CORRECT DETAILED VERIFIED ANSWERS) GRADED A+
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 - VERIFIED
ANSWER✅ 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 - VERIFIED ANSWER✅ 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 - VERIFIED ANSWER✅ 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 - VERIFIED ANSWER✅ 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 - VERIFIED ANSWER✅ 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 - VERIFIED ANSWER✅ 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 - VERIFIED ANSWER✅ 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 - VERIFIED ANSWER✅ Decreased oxygen
saturation
9. An alert 2-year-old child with an increased work of breathing and pink color is
being evaluated. Heart rate is 110/min, and respiratory rate is 30/min. What
would best describe this patient's condition? A. Respiratory distress
B. Respiratory arrest
C. Respiratory failure
D. Disordered control of breathing - VERIFIED ANSWER✅ Respiratory distress
10. The parents of a 7-year-old child who is undergoing chemotherapy report that
the child has been febrile and has not been feeling well, with recent onset of
lethargy. Assessment reveals the following: The child is difficult to arouse, with
pale color. The child's heart rate is 160/min, respiratory rate is 30/min, blood
pressure is 76/45 mm Hg, capillary refill time is 5 to 6 seconds, and temperature
is 103°F (39.4°C). What is the most appropriate intervention?
A. Obtain vascular access and administer 20 mL/kg of isotonic crystalloid over 30
minutes
B. Obtain vascular access and administer 20 mL/kg of isotonic crystalloid over 5
to 10 minutes
QUESTIONS AND CORRECT DETAILED VERIFIED ANSWERS) GRADED A+
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 - VERIFIED
ANSWER✅ 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 - VERIFIED ANSWER✅ 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 - VERIFIED ANSWER✅ 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 - VERIFIED ANSWER✅ 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 - VERIFIED ANSWER✅ 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 - VERIFIED ANSWER✅ 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 - VERIFIED ANSWER✅ 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 - VERIFIED ANSWER✅ Decreased oxygen
saturation
9. An alert 2-year-old child with an increased work of breathing and pink color is
being evaluated. Heart rate is 110/min, and respiratory rate is 30/min. What
would best describe this patient's condition? A. Respiratory distress
B. Respiratory arrest
C. Respiratory failure
D. Disordered control of breathing - VERIFIED ANSWER✅ Respiratory distress
10. The parents of a 7-year-old child who is undergoing chemotherapy report that
the child has been febrile and has not been feeling well, with recent onset of
lethargy. Assessment reveals the following: The child is difficult to arouse, with
pale color. The child's heart rate is 160/min, respiratory rate is 30/min, blood
pressure is 76/45 mm Hg, capillary refill time is 5 to 6 seconds, and temperature
is 103°F (39.4°C). What is the most appropriate intervention?
A. Obtain vascular access and administer 20 mL/kg of isotonic crystalloid over 30
minutes
B. Obtain vascular access and administer 20 mL/kg of isotonic crystalloid over 5
to 10 minutes
