PALS Practice Questions With Answers

Our instructors wrote these questions to help you revise for a PALS course or renewal. They are not AHA exam items, but they test the categorisation and weight-based decisions the course relies on.

Practice questions

1. A 2-year-old has a fast breathing rate, nasal flaring and retractions but is alert and has good colour. How is this best categorised?

1. Respiratory distress
2. Respiratory failure
3. Cardiac arrest

Answer: A. The child is compensating: effortful breathing with good mental status and colour suggests distress rather than failure.

2. An infant has inspiratory stridor and a barking cough. Which type of respiratory problem is most likely?

1. Lower airway obstruction
2. Upper airway obstruction
3. Disordered control of breathing

Answer: B. Stridor points to upper airway obstruction, such as croup.

3. A wheezy 6-year-old with a prolonged expiratory phase has which type of problem?

1. Lower airway obstruction
2. Lung tissue disease
3. Upper airway obstruction

Answer: A. Wheeze and prolonged expiration suggest lower airway obstruction, such as asthma.

4. A child in shock still has a normal blood pressure. What is this called?

1. Hypotensive shock
2. Compensated shock
3. Obstructive shock

Answer: B. Shock with a maintained blood pressure is compensated shock.

5. Which is the lower limit of systolic blood pressure for a child aged 1 to 10 years?

1. 70 + (2 x age in years) mmHg
2. 90 mmHg at every age
3. 50 mmHg

Answer: A. Hypotension in children aged 1 to 10 is a systolic pressure below 70 + (2 x age in years).

6. What is the typical first fluid bolus for a child in shock without signs of heart failure?

1. 10 to 20 mL/kg of isotonic crystalloid, then reassess
2. 100 mL/kg over 5 minutes
3. 1 mL/kg

Answer: A. Boluses of 10 to 20 mL/kg with reassessment after each one.

7. An infant has a heart rate of 50 with poor perfusion despite effective ventilation with oxygen. What is next?

1. Start CPR
2. Observe for 10 minutes
3. Give adenosine

Answer: A. A heart rate below 60 with poor perfusion despite oxygenation and ventilation is treated with CPR.

8. Which features favour SVT over sinus tachycardia in an infant?

1. Gradual onset and variable rate
2. Abrupt onset, fixed rate and absent or abnormal P waves
3. A history of fever and dehydration

Answer: B. SVT typically starts abruptly with a fixed very fast rate; sinus tachycardia varies and has a cause.

9. What is the first shock energy for paediatric VF?

1. 2 J/kg
2. 10 J/kg
3. 200 J regardless of weight

Answer: A. The first shock is 2 J/kg; the second is 4 J/kg.

10. During paediatric CPR with an advanced airway, how often are breaths given?

1. One every 6 seconds
2. One every 2 to 3 seconds
3. 2 breaths after every 15 compressions

Answer: B. For infants and children with an advanced airway, about one breath every 2 to 3 seconds.

11. Peripheral IV access cannot be obtained in a child in cardiac arrest. What is the preferred alternative?

1. Intraosseous access
2. Wait for a central line
3. Give all drugs orally

Answer: A. Intraosseous access is rapid and can be used for drugs and fluids.

12. A newborn needs resuscitation immediately after delivery. Which course covers this?

1. PALS
2. NRP
3. ACLS

Answer: B. Resuscitation of the newly born at delivery is covered by NRP.

How did you do?

Aim for 10 or more out of 12. For gaps, see distress vs failure, shock types, vital signs by age and the tachycardia algorithm. The PALS exam guide explains the real test.

More PALS guides: Certification, exam and renewal

• PALS Course in Abu Dhabi — dates, format and booking
• PALS Renewal in Abu Dhabi: How to Renew Your AHA PALS Card
• PALS Pretest, Written Exam and Skills Tests: What to Expect
• PALS Certificate in the UAE: The AHA PALS Provider eCard
• PALS for DOH, DHA and MOH Licensing in the UAE
• All PALS guides, by topic

Other life support and first aid courses: BLS Course · ACLS Course · First Aid Course · Training calendar

Frequently asked questions

Are these the real PALS exam questions?

No, they were written by our instructors for revision.

What topics come up most in PALS?

Categorising respiratory problems and shock, and weight-based treatment decisions.

Is the PALS exam open book?

Your instructor explains what resources are allowed on the day.

Do I need to memorise normal vital signs?

You need to know the ranges well enough to recognise abnormal values.

How are PALS cases tested?

You lead case scenarios and are assessed on assessment, categorisation and treatment.

Sources and further reading

What we teach follows the awarding body and the UAE health authorities. For the definitive position on a course or licensing question, these are the places to check.

• CPR and ECC Guidelines — American Heart Association
• PALS course options — American Heart Association

Last reviewed 21 September 2026 by the training team at Safety First Medical Services, an American Heart Association training centre at Addax Office Tower, Al Reem Island, Abu Dhabi. Call +971 55 761 9841 or email training@safetyfirstmed.ae.