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 primary medication used to treat symptomatic bradycardia in children?

A) Dopamine

B) Lidocaine

C) Atropine

D) Epinephrine

2 / 20

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

A) Start CPR

B) Give atropine

C) Monitor and reassess

D) Begin pacing

3 / 20

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

A) Symptomatic bradycardia

B) Ventricular fibrillation

C) Atrial fibrillation

D) Sinus tachycardia

4 / 20

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

A) 1 mg/kg

B) 0.5 mg/kg

C) 0.01 mg/kg

D) 0.1 mg/kg

5 / 20

5) What is considered symptomatic bradycardia in pediatric patients?

A) Any HR <100

B) Mild fatigue with normal HR

C) Bradycardia with signs of poor perfusion

D) Bradycardia without chest pain

6 / 20

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

A) Adenosine

B) Defibrillation

C) Epinephrine and atropine

D) Sodium bicarbonate

7 / 20

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

A) Department of Transportation

B) American Heart Association

C) Poison Control

D) CDC

8 / 20

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

A) 100–120

B) 80–100

C) 140–160

D) 60–80

9 / 20

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

A) Improve oxygenation and perfusion

B) Slow down heart rate

C) Give fluids continuously

D) Decrease blood pressure

10 / 20

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

A) Transthoracic pacing

B) Defibrillation

C) Chest tube insertion

D) High-dose epinephrine

11 / 20

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

A) Sodium bicarbonate

B) Adenosine

C) Atropine

D) Amiodarone

12 / 20

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

A) Transesophageal pacing

B) Transcutaneous pacing

C) Permanent pacing

D) Overdrive pacing

13 / 20

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

A) Atropine

B) High-flow oxygen

C) Sedation

D) Fluid bolus

14 / 20

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

A) When the child is unresponsive

B) At any heart rate below 100

C) Only if the heart stops

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

15 / 20

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

A) Sweating

B) High blood pressure

C) Irregular respiratory pattern

D) Weak or absent pulses

16 / 20

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

A) Wait and reassess in 5 minutes

B) Deliver a shock

C) Apply a cold compress

D) Administer epinephrine

17 / 20

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

A) Drug overdose

B) Hypoxia

C) Primary cardiac disease

D) Genetic mutation

18 / 20

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

A) Raises blood pressure too quickly

B) May worsen bradycardia

C) Induces apnea

D) Causes rebound tachycardia

19 / 20

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

A) 0.1 mg

B) 0.3 mg

C) 0.5 mg

D) 1.0 mg

20 / 20

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

A) Hypothermia

B) Hyperthermia

C) Hypoxia

D) Severe infection

Your score is

See also:

Free PALS Practice Test 2025 Official Study Guide [PDF]

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