PALS Chapter 3 Basic Life Support Practice Test 2025

Last Updated on May 10, 2025

Pediatric Advanced Life Support PALS Chapter 3 Basic Life Support Practice Test 2025 Questions and Answers Quiz. According to the handbook, all PALS providers are assumed to be able to perform BLS appropriately. PALS providers must first be proficient in BLS. High-quality BLS is the foundation of PALS.

Basic Life Support (BLS) utilizes CPR and cardiac defibrillation when an Automated External Defibrillator (AED) is available. BLS is the life support method with limited access to advanced interventions such as medications and monitoring devices. Generally, BLS is performed until the emergency medical services (EMS) arrive to provide a higher level of care.

High-quality CPR is the foundation of BLS and PALS interventions in every setting. High-quality CPR gives the child or infant the best chance of survival by circulating to the heart, brain, and other organs until spontaneous circulation (ROSC) is restored.

PALS Basic Life Support Practice Test

PALS Practice Test
Chapter 3: Basic Life Support
Total Items: 20 MCQs
Time Limit: N/A

1 / 20

1) When performing chest compressions on an infant with two rescuers, what is the correct hand placement?

A) Palm of one hand on the lower half of the sternum

B) Two fingers on the center of the chest

C) One thumb in the middle of the chest

D) Two thumbs encircling the chest, fingers supporting the back

2 / 20

2) What is the correct location for checking the pulse in an infant?

A) Groin

B) Inner upper arm (brachial artery)

C) Wrist

D) Neck

3 / 20

3) What is the best way to open the airway of an unresponsive child with no trauma?

A) Head tilt–chin lift

B) Cricoid pressure

C) Jaw-thrust

D) Chin tilt only

4 / 20

4) In one-rescuer CPR for an infant, where do you place your fingers for compressions?

A) Middle of the abdomen

B) Center of the chest just below nipple line

C) On the sides of the chest

D) Upper chest near the collarbone

5 / 20

5) What is the compression rate per minute in pediatric CPR?

A) Over 140

B) 100–120

C) 80–100

D) 60–80

6 / 20

6) During one-rescuer infant CPR, what technique should you use for chest compressions?

A) Two fingers

B) Heel of one hand

C) Two thumbs encircling

D) Knuckles

7 / 20

7) What should a second rescuer do while the first provides compressions in two-rescuer infant BLS?

A) Count out loud

B) Observe for help

C) Provide ventilations using a bag-mask device

D) Monitor for breathing

8 / 20

8) What is the correct compression to breath ratio in two-rescuer BLS for children?

A) 20:2

B) 10:2

C) 30:2

D) 15:2

9 / 20

9) When using an AED on a child under 8 years old, what is the recommended approach?

A) Use AED only if child is not breathing but has a pulse

B) Wait for EMS to arrive

C) Only use adult pads

D) Use pediatric pads if available; if not, use adult pads

10 / 20

10) Which of the following is most important when delivering effective CPR to children and infants?

A) Giving breaths first

B) Minimizing interruptions during compressions

C) Checking for injuries

D) Performing shallow compressions

11 / 20

11) How can you check for a pulse in an unresponsive child?

A) Femoral artery

B) Radial artery

C) Carotid artery

D) Brachial artery

12 / 20

12) During two-rescuer infant CPR, how often should rescuers switch roles to prevent fatigue?

A) After 5 minutes

B) At 1-minute intervals

C) After every 50 compressions

D) Every 2 minutes

13 / 20

13) Which of the following actions increases the effectiveness of compressions in child BLS?

A) Allowing full chest recoil

B) Compressing slowly to maintain rhythm

C) Leaning on the chest between compressions

D) Pausing between every 10 compressions

14 / 20

14) How deep should chest compressions be for a child during CPR?

A) About 3 inches

B) As deep as possible

C) About 2 inches or one-third of the chest depth

D) At least 1 inch

15 / 20

15) What is the first step in BLS for infants when you find one unresponsive?

A) Begin chest compressions

B) Activate emergency response and get an AED

C) Give 2 rescue breaths immediately

D) Check for responsiveness by tapping the foot and shouting

16 / 20

16) What is the correct compression to ventilation ratio for one-rescuer BLS in a child?

A) 30:2

B) 5:1

C) 20:2

D) 15:2

17 / 20

17) After determining unresponsiveness and no breathing in a child, what should be your immediate next step if you are alone with no phone?

A) Give one rescue breath

B) Call 911 before doing anything

C) Perform CPR for about 2 minutes before calling 911

D) Leave the child and get an AED

18 / 20

18) What is the recommended compression depth for an infant?

A) About 2 inches

B) As deep as possible without breaking ribs

C) At least 1 inch

D) At least one-third the depth of the chest, about 1.5 inches

19 / 20

19) If a child has a pulse but is not breathing, what is your next action?

A) Give rescue breaths every 3–5 seconds

B) Start compressions

C) Check the airway again in 10 seconds

D) Call for help and wait

20 / 20

20) When providing CPR to an infant alone, how many compressions and breaths should you give?

A) 30 compressions and 2 breaths

B) 15 compressions and 2 breaths

C) 5 compressions and 1 breath

D) 20 compressions and 2 breaths

Your score is

See also:

Free PALS Practice Test 2025 Official Study Guide [PDF]