PALS RED CROSS 2023/ 2024 FINAL
EXAM Version 1| 50 QUESTIONS AND
VERIFIED ANSWERS| GRADE A
Q: 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?
Answer:
Monomorphic pulseless ventricular tachycardia
Q: A 15-year-old patient is being evaluated during a follow-up visit after being diagnosed with
Lyme disease 2 months ago. A rhythm strip is obtained as shown below. The provider interprets
this rhythm as indicating which arrhythmia?
Answer:
First-degree atrioventricular (AV) block
Q: A healthcare provider is performing a primary assessment of a child in respiratory distress.
The provider documents increased work of breathing when which findings are observed?
Answer:
Nasal flaring
Intercostal, substernal or suprasternal retractions
Accessory muscle use
Q: A 4-year-old patient presents with tachycardia, tachypnea, cold extremities and weak pulses.
Assessment also reveals an enlarged liver and neck vein distension. The provider interprets these
assessment findings as suggesting which type of shock?
Answer:
Cardiogenic
Q: A 6-year-old child is brought to the emergency department. The child has been experiencing
extremely watery stools over the past several days. After completing the assessment, the
healthcare provider suspects that the child may be experiencing shock. Which type of shock
would the provider most likely suspect?
Answer:
Hypovolemic
Q: A child is experiencing shock. The emergency response team prepares for imminent cardiac
arrest when assessment reveals which finding(s)?
Answer:
Bradycardia
Diminished central pulses
Hypotension
Q: Primary assessment of a 10-year-old child reveals septic shock. As part of the secondary
assessment, if not already done as part of initial sepsis care, laboratory testing is completed to
evaluate the child’s status. Which laboratory tests would be ordered for this child?
Answer:
Complete blood count (CBC)
Lactate level
Blood cultures
Q: A 10-year-old child has collapsed in the gym of the elementary school. The school nurse
arrives and determines that the child is unresponsive. The school nurse then simultaneously
checks for breathing and a central pulse, limiting this assessment to which time frame?
Answer:
No more than 10 seconds
PALS RED CROSS 2023/ 2024 FINAL
EXAM Version 2| 50 QUESTIONS AND
VERIFIED ANSWERS| GRADE A
Q: 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?
Answer:
Torsades de pointes
Q: A child who is stable and exhibiting a wide-complex tachycardia is to receive adenosine.
The provider would be alert for which result after administering this medication?
Answer:
Transient asystole
Q: 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?
Answer:
- Identification of ways to improve
- Discussion of the pros and cons of the interventions
- Summary of the event, including what actions were taken
- Evaluation of the objective data gathered during the event
Q: A 12-year-old child being evaluated in the pediatric intensive care unit displays the
following ECG waveform. The team interprets this as which arrhythmia?
Answer:
Second-degree atrioventricular (AV) block, type I
Q: A provider is assessing a child with suspected shock. Which statement correctly describes
hypotension and shock?
Answer:
Hypotension is not a consistent feature of shock in children.
Q: 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 first?
Answer:
Albuterol plus ipratropium bromide
Q: An 11-year-old child develops unstable wide complex tachycardia. Assessment reveals signs
of significant hemodynamic compromise, but the child has a pulse. The PALS team would
prepare the child for which intervention?
Answer:
Synchronized cardioversion
Q: A 15-year-old patient is being evaluated during a follow-up visit after being diagnosed with
Lyme disease 2 months ago. A rhythm strip is obtained as shown below. The provider interprets
this rhythm as indicating which arrhythmia?
Answer:
First-degree atrioventricular (AV) block
Q: A 4-year-old patient presents with tachycardia, tachypnea, cold extremities and weak pulses.
Assessment also reveals an enlarged liver and neck vein distension. The provider interprets these
assessment findings as suggesting which type of shock?
PALS RED CROSS 2023/ 2024 FINAL
EXAM Version 3| 50 QUESTIONS AND
VERIFIED ANSWERS| GRADE A
Q: An advanced airway was placed in a 5-year-old child. Which action(s) would be most
appropriate for the team to take to confirm correct placement?
Answer:
Auscultate over the lungs and epigastrium for air movement, Observe for bilateral chest rise,
Evaluate results of capnography.
Q: A 12-year-old is being treated in the urgent care clinic. The mother reports that the child
came home from school yesterday with a high fever, vomiting and multiple episodes of watery
diarrhea. The healthcare provider obtains a rhythm strip and notes the following waveform. The
provider interprets this as which type of arrhythmia?
Answer:
Sinus tachycardia
Q: 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?
Answer:
Supraventricular tachycardia
Q: A 30-month old child has been diagnosed with moderate croup. Which medication(s) would
the provider administer?
Answer:
Corticosteroids, Racemic epinephrine
Q: A child in the pediatric step-down unit is exhibiting signs of respiratory distress. When
assessing this child, which finding would be considered a late sign for this condition?
Answer:
Cyanosis
Q: Assessment of a 7-year-old patient with septic shock reveals capillary refill of 3 seconds,
diminished pulse and narrow pulse pressure. The emergency response team interprets these
findings as indicating which type of septic shock?
Answer:
hypotensive
Q: A 4-year-old patient presents with tachycardia, tachypnea, cold extremities and weak pulses.
Assessment also reveals an enlarged liver and neck vein distension. The provider interprets these
assessment findings as suggesting which type of shock?
Answer:
cardiogenic shock
Q: An 8-year-old child being treated in the emergency department has significant respiratory
distress. The child also exhibits hives, wheezing, angioedema, tachycardia and tachypnea. The
parents state that the child, who is allergic to peanuts, had eaten some popcorn that had peanuts
in it. The team initiates care, preparing to administer which agent first?
Answer:
Epinephrine
Q: A 10-year-old child has collapsed in the gym of the elementary school. The school nurse
arrives and determines that the child is unresponsive. The school nurse then simultaneously
checks for breathing and a central pulse, limiting this assessment to which time frame?