PALS Chapter 7: Bradycardia Practice Test 2026

Last Updated on June 30, 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) What is the maximum recommended IV dose of atropine for a child?

A) 0.3 mg

B) 1.0 mg

C) 0.1 mg

D) 0.5 mg

2 / 20

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

A) High-flow oxygen

B) Fluid bolus

C) Sedation

D) Atropine

3 / 20

3) 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) Wait and reassess in 5 minutes

C) Deliver a shock

D) Administer epinephrine

4 / 20

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

A) Adenosine

B) Amiodarone

C) Atropine

D) Sodium bicarbonate

5 / 20

5) 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) Give atropine

D) Start CPR

6 / 20

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

A) May worsen bradycardia

B) Induces apnea

C) Raises blood pressure too quickly

D) Causes rebound tachycardia

7 / 20

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

A) 0.01 mg/kg

B) 0.1 mg/kg

C) 0.5 mg/kg

D) 1 mg/kg

8 / 20

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

A) Poison Control

B) CDC

C) Department of Transportation

D) American Heart Association

9 / 20

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

A) Decrease blood pressure

B) Slow down heart rate

C) Improve oxygenation and perfusion

D) Give fluids continuously

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

A) Sinus tachycardia

B) Ventricular fibrillation

C) Atrial fibrillation

D) Symptomatic bradycardia

12 / 20

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

A) High blood pressure

B) Irregular respiratory pattern

C) Weak or absent pulses

D) Sweating

13 / 20

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

A) Only if the heart stops

B) When the child is unresponsive

C) At any heart rate below 100

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

14 / 20

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

A) Dopamine

B) Lidocaine

C) Atropine

D) Epinephrine

15 / 20

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

A) Permanent pacing

B) Overdrive pacing

C) Transesophageal pacing

D) Transcutaneous pacing

16 / 20

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

A) Drug overdose

B) Primary cardiac disease

C) Hypoxia

D) Genetic mutation

17 / 20

17) What is considered symptomatic bradycardia in pediatric patients?

A) Mild fatigue with normal HR

B) Bradycardia without chest pain

C) Bradycardia with signs of poor perfusion

D) Any HR <100

18 / 20

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

A) 100–120

B) 80–100

C) 60–80

D) 140–160

19 / 20

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

A) Defibrillation

B) Adenosine

C) Epinephrine and atropine

D) Sodium bicarbonate

20 / 20

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

A) Hypothermia

B) Hypoxia

C) Hyperthermia

D) Severe infection

Your score is

See also:

Free PALS Practice Test 2026 Official Study Guide [PDF]

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