PALS Pre-Test & Answer Key: The Perfect Prep for Your PALS Exam
If you’re looking to obtain or renew your Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS) certification soon, get the practice you need by taking our free pre-test below. Each of the 10 multiple choice questions are based on the protocols outlined in the most recent AHA guidelines. Get started now!
1. The most common cause of cardiac arrest in pediatric patients is:
A. A blow to the chest
B. Congenital heart disease
C. Respiratory failure
D. Drowning
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2. After stabilizing a patient in respiratory failure, the most important clinical goal is:
A. Identify and treat the disease that is causing the respiratory failure
B. Send the patient for a total-body MRI scan
C. Insert bilateral chest tubes to prevent pneumothorax
D. None of the above
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3. Where should you check for a peripheral pulse?
A. Wrist (radial)
B. Foot (pedal)
C. Upper arm (brachial)
D. Neck (carotid)
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4. Remembering which of the following acronyms will help you assess a child’s mental status?
A. SAMPLE
B. ABCDE
C. BREATH
D. AVPU
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5. Which of the following drugs should you consider using to treat a child showing supraventricular tachycardia (SVT)?
A. Adenosine
B. Vasopressin
C. Lidocaine
D. Bretylium
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6. After establishing an advanced airway (i.e. endotracheal tube, etc.), there is no need to provide CPR in cycles. CPR should continue at 100 compressions/minute with 8-10 ventilations provided.
A. True
B. False
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7. Which of the following arrhythmias are/or may be life threatening for pediatric patients?
A. Ventricular tachycardia
B. Torsades de pointes
C. Ventricular fibrillation
D. All of the above
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8. If treating a 10-kg infant with oxygen refractory unstable bradycardia, how much epinephrine should be administered?
A. 1.0 ml of 1:1,000 solution
B. 1.0 ml of 1:10,000 solution
C. 10 ml of 1:1,000 solution
D. 10 ml of 1:10,000 solution
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9. Pediatric patients who develop “unstable” supraventricular or ventricular tachycardia should immediately receive electrical cardioversion.
A. True
B. False
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10. A young trauma patient is brought into your emergency department, barely responsive, pale, with an 8 second capillary refill. The abdomen is distended and rigid. Stat hemoglobin comes back 5.1 gm. What would be the ideal fluid to treat this patient’s hypovolemic shock?
A. 5% dextrose and water
B. 10% dextrose and water
C. Lactated Ringers solution
D. Whole blood or packed cells