PALS Chapter 4 Practice Test 2025

Last Updated on June 30, 2026

Pediatric Advanced Life Support PALS Chapter 4 Practice Test 2026 Questions and Answers Quiz. Understanding normal cardiac anatomy and physiology is an essential component of performing PALS.

The heart is a hollow muscle composed of four chambers, each surrounded by thick walls of tissue (septum). The atria are the two upper chambers, and the ventricles are the two lower chambers.

The left and right halves of the heart work together to pump blood throughout the body. The right atrium (RA) and the right ventricle (RV) pump deoxygenated blood to the lungs, where it becomes oxygenated. This oxygen-rich blood returns to the left atrium (LA) and enters the left ventricle (LV). The LV is the main pump that delivers the newly oxygenated blood to the rest of the body.

PALS Chapter 4 Practice Test

PALS Pediatric Advanced Life Support Practice Test

PALS Practice Test
Chapter 4: Pediatric Advanced Life Support
Total Items: 20 MCQs
Time Limit: N/A

1 / 20

1) Which component of the secondary assessment checks for medications the child is taking?

A) GCS

B) ABCDE

C) AVPU

D) SAMPLE

2 / 20

2) A child who opens eyes to speech, speaks confusedly, and withdraws from pain has a GCS score that indicates:

A) Moderate brain injury

B) Unresponsiveness

C) Mild brain injury

D) Normal function

3 / 20

3) What does “P” in SPAM refer to?

A) Past medical history

B) Pupillary response

C) Pulse rate

D) Pain level

4 / 20

4) What is the purpose of using the SPAM mnemonic in a pediatric emergency?

A) To evaluate CPR technique

B) To assess primary life-threatening conditions

C) To decide oxygen delivery method

D) To guide history taking during secondary assessment

5 / 20

5) What does the “C” stand for in the primary PALS survey?

A) Chest rise

B) Circulation

C) Capillary refill

D) Consciousness

6 / 20

6) Which of the following is NOT part of the “ABCDE” approach in pediatric assessment?

A) Disability

B) Exposure

C) Emergency medications

D) Airway

7 / 20

7) During initial diagnosis and treatment, what should be assessed immediately after confirming the airway is open?

A) Mental status

B) Circulation

C) Temperature

D) Breathing

8 / 20

8) What is assessed in the “Disability” part of the ABCDE assessment?

A) Oxygen level

B) Blood pressure

C) Blood glucose and mental status

D) Infection signs

9 / 20

9) What does the “A” in the AVPU mnemonic stand for when assessing mental status?

A) Apnea

B) Airway

C) Alert

D) Active

10 / 20

10) What is the primary goal of the "Systematic Approach" in PALS?

A) Choose the correct drug quickly

B) Identify and treat life-threatening problems early

C) Predict length of hospital stay

D) Determine heart rate ranges

11 / 20

11) What does “SAMPLE” help assess during a secondary survey?

A) Vital signs

B) Patient history

C) Mental status

D) Focused physical exam

12 / 20

12) True or False: The verbal response criteria in the Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) are exactly the same for infants and adults.

A) True

B) False

13 / 20

13) What is the best immediate action for an unresponsive child with inadequate breathing and no pulse?

A) Give oxygen and observe

B) Check glucose levels

C) Apply a cold compress

D) Start chest compressions

14 / 20

14) Why is SAMPLE history important in pediatric emergencies?

A) Determines oxygen saturation

B) Assesses only physical injuries

C) Guides defibrillator settings

D) Helps identify allergies and medications

15 / 20

15) Which of the following indicates a life-threatening issue during the “Breathing” check?

A) Clear breath sounds

B) Mild tachypnea

C) Slight wheeze

D) Severe retractions and cyanosis

16 / 20

16) Which of the following is part of the primary assessment in PALS?

A) Airway, Breathing, Circulation

B) Medication review

C) Glasgow Coma Scale

D) SPAM history

17 / 20

17) In AVPU, what condition corresponds to “U”?

A) Under observation

B) Urgent medical attention needed

C) Upright and alert

D) Unconscious and unresponsive to stimuli

18 / 20

18) Which tool is used for a quick mental status assessment in children?

A) PALS

B) SAMPLE

C) APGAR

D) AVPU

19 / 20

19) In the “ABCDE” assessment approach, what does “D” stand for?

A) Defibrillation

B) Discharge

C) Diagnosis

D) Disability

20 / 20

20) The “D” in AVPU is used to indicate a patient who responds to:

A) Verbal stimuli

B) Direct commands

C) Deep pressure

D) Painful stimuli

Your score is

See also:

Free PALS Practice Test 2026 Official Study Guide [PDF]

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