Pediatric emergency assessment practice test - PALS prehospital

The quiz
You are called to the home of a 2-year-old boy whose parents are concerned because he "isn't acting right". When you arrive, the parents inform you that he has been sick with a fever, diarrhea, and vomiting for the past 48 hours. The child is lying on the couch.


about 3–5 minutes

You are called to the home of a 2-year-old boy whose parents are concerned because he "isn't acting right". When you arrive, the parents inform you that he has been sick with a fever, diarrhea, and vomiting for the past 48 hours. The child is lying on the couch.

Question 1 of 7

An important question to ask Mom or Dad would be

Question 2 of 7

Important things to evaluate during your assessment include

Question 3 of 7

You have difficulty waking him up. His skin color is very pale. You feel no radial pulses. Capillary refill is 6–7 seconds. He is breathing 42/min, and his heart rate is 178. Pulse oximetry is 99%. You do not see any readily available veins for IV access. The best way to quickly achieve IV access in this patient is

Question 4 of 7

The most important treatment for this patient is

Question 5 of 7

Which fluid would be used to resuscitate this patient?

Question 6 of 7

How much fluid would you initially administer to this child?

Question 7 of 7

This child is most likely suffering from

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The quiz

Correct answers

  • Has he been urinating normally?
  • Presence and strength of distal pulses, skin color, heart rate, and capillary refill.
  • Insert an intraosseous needle.
  • Fluid administration.
  • Normal saline.
  • 20ml/kg
  • Hypovolemic shock.

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Current version
Aug 9, 2026

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Changes: Added instant feedback to the quizzes.
Jun 12, 2026

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