AHA PALS Practice exam 2025

AHA PALS Practice exam 2025

• 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?

• Reliable; no supplementary oxygen is indicated B. Reliable; supplementary oxygen should be

administered

• Unreliable; no supplementary oxygen is indicated
• Unreliable; supplementary oxygen should be administered - ANSWER Unreliable;

supplementary oxygen should be administered

• 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?

• Septic shock
• Hypovolemic shock
• Significant bradycardia
• Cardiogenic shock - ANSWER Septic shock 1 / 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?

• Hypotensive
• Normal
• Hypertensive
• Compensated - ANSWER Hypotensive
• 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?

• Administer the drug as ordered
• Administer 0.01 mg/kg of epinephrine
• Respectfully ask the team leader to clarify the dose
• Refuse to administer the drug - ANSWER Respectfully ask the team leader to clarify the

dose

• Which of the following is a characteristic of respiratory failure?
• Inadequate oxygenation and/or ventilation
• Hypotension
• An increase in serum pH (alkalosis)
• Abnormal respiratory sounds - ANSWER Inadequate oxygenation and/or ventilation 2 / 3

• Which of the following is most likely to produce a prolonged expiratory phase and wheezing?
• Disordered control of breathing
• Hypovolemic shock
• Lower airway obstruction
• Upper airway obstruction - ANSWER Lower airway obstruction
• 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?

• Vascular resistance
• Pulse rate
• Lung compliance
• Control of breathing - ANSWER Control of breathing
• What abnormality is most likely to be present in children with acute respiratory distress

caused by lung tissue disease?

• Decreased oxygen saturation
• Stridor
• Normal respiratory rate
• Decreased respiratory effort - ANSWER Decreased oxygen saturation
• / 3