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Exam Review

Key Facts: AHA PALS Provider Exam

84%

ILT Written Passing Score

AHA

2 years

Certification Validity

AHA

2 J/kg

First Pediatric Defibrillation Dose

2025 AHA Guidelines

0.01 mg/kg

Pediatric Arrest Epinephrine Dose

2025 AHA Guidelines

15:2

Two-Rescuer CPR Before Puberty (No Advanced Airway)

2025 AHA Guidelines

AHA PALS is a pediatric emergency-care course for healthcare professionals. The instructor-led pathway requires an open-resource written exam at 84% or higher, infant and child BLS skills, and two core-case scenarios: one cardiac and one respiratory or shock. HeartCode uses adaptive cognitive learning followed by hands-on skills verification under its selected delivery pathway. Course-completion cards are valid for two years. These independent resources support study across assessment, respiratory emergencies, shock, arrest and rhythms, post-arrest care, medications and teamwork; this organization is an editorial study structure, not a published AHA percentage blueprint.

Sample AHA PALS Provider Practice Questions

Try these sample questions to review concepts for the AHA PALS Provider exam. Each question includes a detailed explanation. Start the interactive quiz above for the full 118+ question experience with AI tutoring.

1What are the three components of the Pediatric Assessment Triangle (PAT)?
A.Appearance, work of breathing, circulation to skin
B.Airway, breathing, circulation
C.Heart rate, respiratory rate, blood pressure
D.Disability, exposure, environment
Explanation: The Pediatric Assessment Triangle is a rapid, hands-off visual tool with three legs: appearance, work of breathing, and circulation to skin. It lets the rescuer form a general impression of the child within seconds before touching the patient.
2In PALS, what is the correct overall sequence for evaluating a seriously ill or injured child?
A.Identify, intervene, evaluate, repeat
B.Evaluate, identify, intervene, then repeat the cycle
C.Intervene, evaluate, identify, document
D.Evaluate, intervene, identify, transport
Explanation: PALS uses a continuous evaluate–identify–intervene sequence. You assess the child, identify the problem by type and severity, deliver an intervention, then re-evaluate, repeating the cycle as the child's condition changes.
3During the PALS primary assessment, what does the 'D' in the ABCDE approach stand for?
A.Defibrillation
B.Drug administration
C.Disability (neurologic status)
D.Drainage
Explanation: In the ABCDE primary assessment, D stands for Disability — a rapid neurologic evaluation using AVPU or the Glasgow Coma Scale plus pupil response and a glucose check. E is Exposure.
4A normal resting heart rate range for an awake healthy infant (under 1 year) is approximately:
A.60–100 beats/min
B.40–80 beats/min
C.180–220 beats/min
D.100–160 beats/min
Explanation: An awake infant younger than 1 year normally has a heart rate of about 100–160 beats/min. Rates progressively decline with age toward adult values by adolescence.
5Using the common formula, the minimum acceptable systolic blood pressure for a child aged 1–10 years is estimated as:
A.70 + (2 × age in years) mmHg
B.90 + (age in years) mmHg
C.60 + (age in years) mmHg
D.100 mmHg regardless of age
Explanation: For children 1–10 years, the lower limit of acceptable systolic BP is estimated as 70 + (2 × age in years) mmHg; below this value the child is hypotensive. For infants 1–12 months, hypotension is a systolic BP below ~70 mmHg.
6A toddler appears listless with poor eye contact and a weak cry, but breathing and skin color look normal. Which PAT leg is abnormal, and what does this suggest?
A.Work of breathing — primary respiratory problem
B.Appearance — possible brain perfusion or systemic problem
C.Circulation to skin — compensated shock
D.All three legs are abnormal — cardiopulmonary failure
Explanation: An abnormal appearance with normal breathing and circulation points to a problem affecting the brain or a systemic process (e.g., hypoglycemia, sepsis, intoxication, seizure, or poor cerebral perfusion). The TICLS mnemonic (Tone, Interactiveness, Consolability, Look/gaze, Speech/cry) assesses appearance.
7Which finding is part of the secondary assessment rather than the primary assessment in PALS?
A.Checking the airway for patency
B.Counting the respiratory rate
C.Obtaining a focused SAMPLE history
D.Assessing pulse and perfusion
Explanation: The secondary assessment includes a focused SAMPLE history (Signs/symptoms, Allergies, Medications, Past history, Last meal, Events) and a more detailed physical exam. The primary assessment is the ABCDE evaluation of airway, breathing, circulation, disability, and exposure.
8Which sign best distinguishes compensated shock from hypotensive (decompensated) shock in a child?
A.Presence of tachycardia
B.Delayed capillary refill
C.Cool extremities
D.A measured systolic blood pressure below the age-specific threshold
Explanation: Compensated shock maintains a normal blood pressure through tachycardia and vasoconstriction. Hypotensive (decompensated) shock is defined by a systolic blood pressure that has fallen below the age-specific threshold — a late and ominous finding in children.
9What is a normal respiratory rate range for a healthy toddler (1–3 years)?
A.24–40 breaths/min
B.12–20 breaths/min
C.50–70 breaths/min
D.6–10 breaths/min
Explanation: A healthy toddler aged 1–3 years normally breathes about 24–40 times per minute. Respiratory rates decline with age, approaching the adult 12–20 range by adolescence.
10The PAT leg 'circulation to skin' is primarily assessed by looking for:
A.Heart rate and rhythm
B.Pallor, mottling, or cyanosis
C.Level of consciousness
D.Respiratory effort
Explanation: Circulation to skin is a hands-off visual assessment of skin color — looking for pallor, mottling, or cyanosis that may indicate inadequate perfusion or oxygenation. Pulse and blood pressure are measured later during the hands-on primary assessment.

About the AHA PALS Provider Exam

AHA PALS is a pediatric emergency-care course for healthcare professionals. The instructor-led pathway requires an open-resource written exam at 84% or higher, infant and child BLS skills, and two core-case scenarios: one cardiac and one respiratory or shock. HeartCode uses adaptive cognitive learning followed by hands-on skills verification under its selected delivery pathway.

Exam sponsor: American Heart Association (AHA). The requirements and fees below concern the certification or admission exam, separate from our free practice resources.

Assessment

ILT: open-resource written examination plus infant/child BLS skills and two core-case assessments. A current fixed item count is not published in the 2025 public FAQ; HeartCode uses adaptive learning.

Time Limit

Course-dependent

Passing Score

84% on the instructor-led course’s written exam; complete the applicable pathway’s practical assessments

Exam / Certification Fees

Set by the selected AHA Training Center or course provider; confirm the complete course and skills-session price

Exam sponsor website

Fees, eligibility, and exam policies can change. Confirm them with the exam sponsor before applying or paying.

Our practice resources: topics covered

We aim to reflect publicly available exam outlines and topic information in our study resources. Coverage, format, and difficulty may differ from the actual exam, and we cannot guarantee that every detail is accurate or current. Confirm exam requirements, fees, and policies with the official exam sponsor.

Not published by AHA

Pediatric Assessment

Pediatric Assessment Triangle, evaluate–identify–intervene, primary and secondary assessment, and normal vital signs by age

Not published by AHA

Respiratory Emergencies

Respiratory distress vs failure, upper- vs lower-airway obstruction (croup, anaphylaxis, asthma, bronchiolitis), and oxygenation/ventilation management

Not published by AHA

Shock

Differentiate hypovolemic, distributive/septic, cardiogenic and obstructive shock. For septic shock, give indicated 10 or 20 mL/kg fluid aliquots with reassessment; tailor treatment to shock type and response rather than applying one volume rule to every patient.

Not published by AHA

Pediatric Cardiac Arrest & Rhythms

Pediatric BLS ratios, VF/pVT, asystole/PEA, bradycardia with poor perfusion, SVT vs sinus tach vs VT, and weight-based dosing and energies

Not published by AHA

Post-Resuscitation Stabilization

Post-arrest glucose, temperature, blood pressure, oxygenation/ventilation targets, and transport

Not published by AHA

Vascular Access & Pharmacology

Intraosseous access, epinephrine 0.01 mg/kg IV/IO, and pediatric amiodarone and adenosine dosing

Not published by AHA

Resuscitation Team Dynamics

Team roles, closed-loop communication, constructive intervention, and clear role assignment

Preparing for the AHA PALS Provider Exam

What You Need to Know

  • Passing score: 84% on the instructor-led course’s written exam; complete the applicable pathway’s practical assessments
  • Assessment: ILT: open-resource written examination plus infant/child BLS skills and two core-case assessments. A current fixed item count is not published in the 2025 public FAQ; HeartCode uses adaptive learning.
  • Time limit: Course-dependent
  • Exam / certification fees: Set by the selected AHA Training Center or course provider; confirm the complete course and skills-session price Official sources

Using Our Practice Resources

  • Work through all 118 available questions
  • Review every answer and explanation
  • Track weak areas and revisit them
  • Use our AI tutor for tough concepts

AHA PALS Provider: Suggested Study Strategy

1For each weight-based drug or energy dose, practise the calculation with the current AHA algorithm, including route, concentration, maximum dose and repetition limits. Avoid memorizing a dose detached from its indication.
2Before an advanced airway, use 30:2 for a single rescuer; with two rescuers use 15:2 for infants and prepubertal children, and 30:2 after puberty. Follow the applicable age-specific algorithm for compression depth and ventilation.
3For bradycardia with cardiopulmonary compromise, support oxygenation and ventilation; start CPR when the heart rate remains below 60/min despite effective support, following the current pediatric algorithm.
4Practice distinguishing SVT from sinus tachycardia and from VT, and stable vs unstable management (vagal/adenosine vs synchronized cardioversion)
5Review missed practice items by clinical concept, then rehearse the official skills and case assessments with your course instructor.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the AHA PALS exam passing score?

For the instructor-led PALS course, the written exam is open-resource and requires at least 84%. Completion also requires infant/child BLS skills and two core-case scenarios. HeartCode has a different adaptive cognitive-learning pathway.

How many questions are on the AHA PALS exam?

A fixed current question count is not stated in the 2025 public PALS instructor-led FAQ. The older 50-item description should not be treated as a universal count for every current pathway, particularly adaptive HeartCode. Confirm your course’s assessment instructions with its provider.

Is PALS just a written test?

No. Instructor-led PALS also assesses infant and child BLS skills and two core-case scenarios: one cardiac and one respiratory or shock. HeartCode likewise requires hands-on skills verification after online learning; cognitive completion alone does not earn the card.

Which exam topics do these independent study resources cover?

These independent resources cover pediatric assessment, respiratory emergencies, shock, cardiac arrest and rhythms, post-arrest care, vascular access, medicines and teamwork. Use the current official AHA algorithms and your course materials to confirm clinical details.

How much does the AHA PALS course cost?

The selected provider sets course pricing; confirm what materials, cognitive learning and hands-on assessment are included. The PALS course-completion card is valid for two years.

Is this free PALS prep as good as paid courses?

Use these original practice resources to identify knowledge gaps and review explanations alongside official course materials. They do not replace an AHA course or its practical assessments.