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

A) Epinephrine and atropine

B) Adenosine

C) Sodium bicarbonate

D) Defibrillation

2 / 20

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

A) Apply a cold compress

B) Deliver a shock

C) Administer epinephrine

D) Wait and reassess in 5 minutes

3 / 20

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

A) Atropine

B) Lidocaine

C) Epinephrine

D) Dopamine

4 / 20

4) What is considered symptomatic bradycardia in pediatric patients?

A) Mild fatigue with normal HR

B) Any HR <100

C) Bradycardia without chest pain

D) Bradycardia with signs of poor perfusion

5 / 20

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

A) American Heart Association

B) CDC

C) Poison Control

D) Department of Transportation

6 / 20

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

A) 0.1 mg

B) 0.5 mg

C) 0.3 mg

D) 1.0 mg

7 / 20

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

A) 1 mg/kg

B) 0.1 mg/kg

C) 0.5 mg/kg

D) 0.01 mg/kg

8 / 20

8) 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

9 / 20

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

A) High-flow oxygen

B) Sedation

C) Atropine

D) Fluid bolus

10 / 20

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

A) Defibrillation

B) Chest tube insertion

C) High-dose epinephrine

D) Transthoracic pacing

11 / 20

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

A) Irregular respiratory pattern

B) Weak or absent pulses

C) Sweating

D) High blood pressure

12 / 20

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

A) Ventricular fibrillation

B) Atrial fibrillation

C) Symptomatic bradycardia

D) Sinus tachycardia

13 / 20

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

A) 140–160

B) 80–100

C) 100–120

D) 60–80

14 / 20

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

A) Drug overdose

B) Hypoxia

C) Genetic mutation

D) Primary cardiac disease

15 / 20

15) 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) Begin pacing

D) Monitor and reassess

16 / 20

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

A) Atropine

B) Amiodarone

C) Sodium bicarbonate

D) Adenosine

17 / 20

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

A) Severe infection

B) Hyperthermia

C) Hypoxia

D) Hypothermia

18 / 20

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

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

B) At any heart rate below 100

C) Only if the heart stops

D) When the child is unresponsive

19 / 20

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

A) Slow down heart rate

B) Give fluids continuously

C) Decrease blood pressure

D) Improve oxygenation and perfusion

20 / 20

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

A) Induces apnea

B) Causes rebound tachycardia

C) Raises blood pressure too quickly

D) May worsen bradycardia

Your score is

See also:

Free PALS Practice Test 2026 Official Study Guide [PDF]

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