PALS Chapter 7: Bradycardia Practice Test 2025

Last Updated on June 28, 2025

Pediatric Advanced Life Support PALS Chapter 7: Bradycardia Practice Test 2025 Questions and Answers Quiz. Bradycardia is a heart rate slower than usual for a child’s age. Bradycardia in children and infants should be evaluated, but not all bradycardia needs to be medically managed.

Intervention is required when bradycardia is symptomatic and compromises cardiovascular function. This commonly means that the heart is beating too slowly to maintain blood pressure, causing shock, poor tissue perfusion, and/or a change in mental status.

Symptomatic bradycardia may present with several signs and symptoms, including low blood pressure, pulmonary edema or congestion, abnormal heart rhythm, chest discomfort, shortness of breath, lightheadedness, confusion, and/or syncope. Bradycardia most commonly becomes symptomatic when it is new to the person (acute heart rate slowing).

PALS Chapter 7: Bradycardia Practice Test

PALS Chapter 7: Bradycardia

PALS Practice Test
Chapter 7: Bradycardia
Total Items: 20 MCQs
Time Limit: N/A

1 / 20

1) What is the maximum recommended IV dose of atropine for a child?

A) 1.0 mg

B) 0.3 mg

C) 0.1 mg

D) 0.5 mg

2 / 20

2) What dose of epinephrine is recommended for pediatric bradycardia?

A) 0.5 mg/kg

B) 0.1 mg/kg

C) 0.01 mg/kg

D) 1 mg/kg

3 / 20

3) What is considered symptomatic bradycardia in pediatric patients?

A) Mild fatigue with normal HR

B) Any HR <100

C) Bradycardia with signs of poor perfusion

D) Bradycardia without chest pain

4 / 20

4) A child with a heart rate of 50 bpm is alert and breathing normally. What is the best next step?

A) Monitor and reassess

B) Give atropine

C) Begin pacing

D) Start CPR

5 / 20

5) Which drug may be effective in bradycardia due to vagal stimulation?

A) Adenosine

B) Sodium bicarbonate

C) Atropine

D) Amiodarone

6 / 20

6) Which rhythm is commonly seen before a pediatric cardiac arrest?

A) Symptomatic bradycardia

B) Ventricular fibrillation

C) Atrial fibrillation

D) Sinus tachycardia

7 / 20

7) What is the primary medication used to treat symptomatic bradycardia in children?

A) Dopamine

B) Atropine

C) Epinephrine

D) Lidocaine

8 / 20

8) Which of the following is most often the cause of bradycardia in children?

A) Genetic mutation

B) Drug overdose

C) Primary cardiac disease

D) Hypoxia

9 / 20

9) A child has symptomatic bradycardia unresponsive to both epinephrine and atropine. What is the next most appropriate step?

A) Transthoracic pacing

B) High-dose epinephrine

C) Defibrillation

D) Chest tube insertion

10 / 20

10) What intervention improves oxygenation and may help reverse bradycardia in hypoxic patients?

A) High-flow oxygen

B) Sedation

C) Fluid bolus

D) Atropine

11 / 20

11) Why should atropine not be given in doses less than 0.1 mg in children?

A) Raises blood pressure too quickly

B) Induces apnea

C) Causes rebound tachycardia

D) May worsen bradycardia

12 / 20

12) If CPR is started due to severe bradycardia, what is the compression rate per minute?

A) 140–160

B) 80–100

C) 60–80

D) 100–120

13 / 20

13) When should CPR be started in a child with bradycardia?

A) When the child is unresponsive

B) If the heart rate is under 60 bpm with signs of poor perfusion

C) At any heart rate below 100

D) Only if the heart stops

14 / 20

14) What type of pacing is recommended when bradycardia does not respond to medications?

A) Transesophageal pacing

B) Transcutaneous pacing

C) Overdrive pacing

D) Permanent pacing

15 / 20

15) What is one key goal when managing pediatric bradycardia?

A) Give fluids continuously

B) Decrease blood pressure

C) Improve oxygenation and perfusion

D) Slow down heart rate

16 / 20

16) What physical finding supports a diagnosis of symptomatic bradycardia?

A) High blood pressure

B) Sweating

C) Weak or absent pulses

D) Irregular respiratory pattern

17 / 20

17) Which of the following is NOT typically a cause of bradycardia in children?

A) Severe infection

B) Hypoxia

C) Hypothermia

D) Hyperthermia

18 / 20

18) In bradycardia due to toxin ingestion, which agency might help guide treatment?

A) Poison Control

B) Department of Transportation

C) CDC

D) American Heart Association

19 / 20

19) A child’s heart rate drops to 30 bpm with poor perfusion despite oxygen and CPR. What is the next step?

A) Deliver a shock

B) Administer epinephrine

C) Apply a cold compress

D) Wait and reassess in 5 minutes

20 / 20

20) In bradycardia with a pulse, which treatment is started before considering pacing?

A) Defibrillation

B) Sodium bicarbonate

C) Epinephrine and atropine

D) Adenosine

Your score is

See also:

Free PALS Practice Test 2025 Official Study Guide [PDF]

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