PALS Chapter 7: Bradycardia Practice Test 2026

Last Updated on May 5, 2026

Pediatric Advanced Life Support PALS Chapter 7: Bradycardia Practice Test 2026 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 the heart is beating too slowly to maintain blood pressure, leading to 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) Which of the following is most often the cause of bradycardia in children?

A) Genetic mutation

B) Hypoxia

C) Primary cardiac disease

D) Drug overdose

2 / 20

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

A) Hypothermia

B) Severe infection

C) Hyperthermia

D) Hypoxia

3 / 20

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

A) Begin pacing

B) Monitor and reassess

C) Start CPR

D) Give atropine

4 / 20

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

A) Induces apnea

B) May worsen bradycardia

C) Raises blood pressure too quickly

D) Causes rebound tachycardia

5 / 20

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

A) 60–80

B) 100–120

C) 140–160

D) 80–100

6 / 20

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

A) 1 mg/kg

B) 0.1 mg/kg

C) 0.01 mg/kg

D) 0.5 mg/kg

7 / 20

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

A) 0.3 mg

B) 1.0 mg

C) 0.5 mg

D) 0.1 mg

8 / 20

8) 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) Apply a cold compress

C) Deliver a shock

D) Administer epinephrine

9 / 20

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

A) Sinus tachycardia

B) Symptomatic bradycardia

C) Atrial fibrillation

D) Ventricular fibrillation

10 / 20

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

A) Lidocaine

B) Epinephrine

C) Atropine

D) Dopamine

11 / 20

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

A) Irregular respiratory pattern

B) Weak or absent pulses

C) High blood pressure

D) Sweating

12 / 20

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

A) Adenosine

B) Defibrillation

C) Epinephrine and atropine

D) Sodium bicarbonate

13 / 20

13) 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

14 / 20

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

A) Only if the heart stops

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

C) At any heart rate below 100

D) When the child is unresponsive

15 / 20

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

A) Permanent pacing

B) Transcutaneous pacing

C) Overdrive pacing

D) Transesophageal pacing

16 / 20

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

A) Give fluids continuously

B) Improve oxygenation and perfusion

C) Decrease blood pressure

D) Slow down heart rate

17 / 20

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

A) High-dose epinephrine

B) Chest tube insertion

C) Transthoracic pacing

D) Defibrillation

18 / 20

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

A) Atropine

B) Adenosine

C) Amiodarone

D) Sodium bicarbonate

19 / 20

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

A) High-flow oxygen

B) Atropine

C) Sedation

D) Fluid bolus

20 / 20

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

A) CDC

B) American Heart Association

C) Poison Control

D) Department of Transportation

Your score is

See also:

Free PALS Practice Test 2026 Official Study Guide [PDF]

Previous tests:

Chapter-wise tests: