10 free, exam-style Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS) (PALS) practice questions with answers and explanations. No signup required. Work through them below, then take the full free PALS practice test to study every exam domain.
The PALS exam has 50 questions and runs 0 hours 0 minutes.
A 3-year-old is carried into the emergency department. Before touching the child, the team forms a rapid 'across-the-room' impression. Which set of findings belongs to the Pediatric Assessment Triangle?
Correct answer: A - Appearance, work of breathing, and circulation to skin
A 4-year-old in shock has cool, mottled extremities and delayed capillary refill, but a blood pressure that is still within normal limits. Using the age-based formula, what is the lowest systolic blood pressure considered normal for this child?
Correct answer: C - 78 mmHg
Two rescuers are performing CPR on a 7-month-old infant in cardiac arrest. Which combination of compression technique and compression-to-ventilation ratio is correct?
Correct answer: D - Two-thumb encircling-hands technique, with a 15:2 ratio
During a pediatric resuscitation, an advanced airway is placed. How should the team now deliver compressions and ventilations?
Correct answer: B - Continuous compressions with 1 breath every 2 to 3 seconds
A 2-year-old with a history of fever and cough now has severe retractions, grunting, and an oxygen saturation of 84% despite a non-rebreather mask. He is becoming difficult to rouse. This presentation is BEST classified as:
Correct answer: A - Respiratory failure
A previously healthy 18-month-old develops sudden inspiratory stridor and drooling while playing with small toys, with no fever. Which problem type and likely cause should the provider suspect FIRST?
Correct answer: D - Upper airway obstruction due to a foreign body
A child with severe asthma has wheezing, a prolonged expiratory phase, and increased work of breathing. Which category of respiratory problem does this represent?
Correct answer: C - Lower airway obstruction
An 8-year-old with vomiting and diarrhea for three days has tachycardia, weak peripheral pulses, and a capillary refill of 4 seconds. His blood pressure is normal for age. Which classification BEST describes his condition?
Correct answer: B - Compensated hypovolemic shock
A 10 kg toddler with septic shock needs fluid resuscitation. Assuming no signs of cardiac compromise, what is an appropriate initial isotonic crystalloid bolus, and what must the provider do immediately afterward?
Correct answer: B - 200 mL, then reassess for rales, hepatomegaly, and increased work of breathing
A child remains poorly perfused after two appropriate fluid boluses for septic shock. According to the septic shock pathway, what is the MOST appropriate next step?
Correct answer: C - Begin a vasoactive infusion such as epinephrine or norepinephrine
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