PALS Cardiac Arrest 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: During pediatric CPR, what is the recommended compression-to-ventilation ratio for a single rescuer?
- 15:2
- 30:2 (Correct answer)
- 15:1
- 5:1
Correct answer: 30:2
A single rescuer uses a 30:2 compression-to-ventilation ratio for all pediatric patients.
Question 2: A 4-year-old is in ventricular fibrillation. What is the correct initial defibrillation dose?
- 1 J/kg
- 2 J/kg (Correct answer)
- 4 J/kg
- 10 J/kg
Correct answer: 2 J/kg
The initial defibrillation dose for pediatric patients is 2 J/kg; subsequent doses are 4 J/kg.
Question 3: Which rhythm would you NOT attempt to defibrillate in a pediatric cardiac arrest?
- Ventricular fibrillation
- Pulseless ventricular tachycardia
- Asystole (Correct answer)
- Coarse VF
Correct answer: Asystole
Asystole is a non-shockable rhythm; defibrillation is only indicated for VF and pulseless VT.
Question 4: After delivering an initial 2 J/kg shock in a child with VF, what is the recommended second defibrillation dose?
- 2 J/kg
- 4 J/kg (Correct answer)
- 6 J/kg
- 10 J/kg
Correct answer: 4 J/kg
Subsequent defibrillation doses are 4 J/kg or higher (up to 10 J/kg or adult max) if the initial dose fails.
Question 5: During pediatric cardiac arrest resuscitation, how soon after defibrillation should CPR be resumed?
- After checking rhythm only
- Immediately after shock delivery (Correct answer)
- After 30 seconds
- Only if no pulse is confirmed
Correct answer: Immediately after shock delivery
CPR should be resumed immediately after shock delivery without pausing to check the rhythm or pulse.
Question 6: A child is in PEA cardiac arrest. Which of the following is a reversible H cause to investigate?
- Hyperkalemia
- Hypothermia
- Hydrogen ion (acidosis)
- All of the above (Correct answer)
Correct answer: All of the above
All three are reversible H causes (Hs and Ts) that should be identified and corrected during PEA arrest.
Question 7: What is the recommended epinephrine dose for a pediatric patient in cardiac arrest?
- 0.01 mg/kg IV/IO (1:10,000) (Correct answer)
- 0.1 mg/kg IV/IO (1:1,000)
- 0.001 mg/kg IV/IO
- 1 mg IV/IO regardless of weight
Correct answer: 0.01 mg/kg IV/IO (1:10,000)
Epinephrine 0.01 mg/kg (1:10,000 solution) IV/IO is the standard PALS cardiac arrest dose, repeated every 3-5 minutes.
PALS Cardiac Arrest 2
During pediatric CPR, what is the recommended compression-to-ventilation ratio for a single rescuer?