,APLS TEST BANK – COMPLETE FINAL VERSION
Advanced Paediatric Life Support – 2026/2027 Edition
Total: 900 Questions (12 Sections × 75 Questions Each)
SECTION 1: STRUCTURED APPROACH & ABCDE ASSESSMENT
Questions 1-75
1. What is the FIRST step in the APLS structured approach to a seriously ill child?
A) Perform a detailed history
B) Assess the airway (A)
C) Check blood glucose
D) Obtain IV access
Answer: B
Rationale: The foundation of APLS is the ABCDE approach: Airway, Breathing, Circulation, Disability,
Exposure. The airway must be assessed and managed immediately before addressing other issues,
allowing for rapid identification and treatment of life-threatening problems.
Module Reference: APLS - Structured Approach
2. A child is unresponsive to voice but responds to pain. Using the AVPU scale, this is documented as:
A) A (Alert)
B) V (Voice)
C) P (Pain)
D) U (Unresponsive)
Answer: C
Rationale: AVPU stands for Alert, Voice, Pain, Unresponsive. A child who responds to pain (e.g., by
withdrawing from a painful stimulus) is documented as "P".
Module Reference: APLS - Disability Assessment
3. Which of the following findings is assessed in the Appearance component of the Pediatric Assessment
Triangle?
A) Capillary refill time
B) Work of breathing
C) Tone and interactivity
D) Oxygen saturation
,Answer: C
Rationale: The Pediatric Assessment Triangle is a core component of APLS instruction. Appearance is
determined by examination of tone, how interactive the child is, consolability, gaze, and speech/cry
quality. Breathing and Circulation are the other two components.
Module Reference: APLS - Pediatric Assessment Triangle
4. During a rapid assessment, you note a child is lethargic and has poor eye contact. This is an
abnormality in which component of the Pediatric Assessment Triangle?
A) Breathing
B) Circulation
C) Appearance
D) Disability
Answer: C
Rationale: Appearance is assessed by evaluating tone, interactivity, consolability, gaze, and speech or cry
quality. Lethargy and poor eye contact are signs of abnormal appearance.
Module Reference: APLS - Pediatric Assessment Triangle
5. APLS emphasises which of the following as critical for optimising outcomes in paediatric emergencies?
A) Early recognition
B) Systematic assessment
C) Prompt intervention and effective teamwork
D) All of the above
Answer: D
Rationale: APLS emphasises early recognition, systematic assessment, prompt intervention, and
effective teamwork to optimise outcomes in acutely unwell children.
Module Reference: APLS - Introduction
6. The Exposure (E) component of the ABCDE assessment includes:
A) Full body examination
B) Temperature measurement
C) Inspection for rashes and injuries
D) All of the above
Answer: D
, Rationale: The Exposure (E) assessment includes a complete physical examination to identify rashes,
injuries, or signs of infection while keeping the child warm to prevent hypothermia.
Module Reference: APLS - ABCDE Assessment
7. During the ABCDE assessment, what is the priority after confirming a patent airway?
A) Assess Disability
B) Assess Breathing
C) Assess Circulation
D) Obtain IV access
Answer: B
Rationale: APLS teaches that the airway must be assessed and managed immediately, then the
assessment proceeds to Breathing, Circulation, Disability, and Exposure.
Module Reference: APLS - Structured Approach
8. A child has a GCS score of 12. This indicates:
A) Mild impairment
B) Moderate impairment
C) Severe impairment
D) No impairment
Answer: B
Rationale: GCS 13-15 is mild, GCS 9-12 is moderate, and GCS 8 or less is severe. A score of 12 indicates
moderate impairment.
Module Reference: APLS - Disability Assessment
9. Which of the following is a sign of airway obstruction in a child?
A) Wheezing
B) Grunting
C) Stridor
D) Crackles
Answer: C
Rationale: Stridor is a high-pitched inspiratory sound indicating upper airway obstruction. In a child,
airway obstruction can occur due to infection (e.g., epiglottitis), trauma, or foreign body aspiration.
Module Reference: APLS - Airway Assessment
Advanced Paediatric Life Support – 2026/2027 Edition
Total: 900 Questions (12 Sections × 75 Questions Each)
SECTION 1: STRUCTURED APPROACH & ABCDE ASSESSMENT
Questions 1-75
1. What is the FIRST step in the APLS structured approach to a seriously ill child?
A) Perform a detailed history
B) Assess the airway (A)
C) Check blood glucose
D) Obtain IV access
Answer: B
Rationale: The foundation of APLS is the ABCDE approach: Airway, Breathing, Circulation, Disability,
Exposure. The airway must be assessed and managed immediately before addressing other issues,
allowing for rapid identification and treatment of life-threatening problems.
Module Reference: APLS - Structured Approach
2. A child is unresponsive to voice but responds to pain. Using the AVPU scale, this is documented as:
A) A (Alert)
B) V (Voice)
C) P (Pain)
D) U (Unresponsive)
Answer: C
Rationale: AVPU stands for Alert, Voice, Pain, Unresponsive. A child who responds to pain (e.g., by
withdrawing from a painful stimulus) is documented as "P".
Module Reference: APLS - Disability Assessment
3. Which of the following findings is assessed in the Appearance component of the Pediatric Assessment
Triangle?
A) Capillary refill time
B) Work of breathing
C) Tone and interactivity
D) Oxygen saturation
,Answer: C
Rationale: The Pediatric Assessment Triangle is a core component of APLS instruction. Appearance is
determined by examination of tone, how interactive the child is, consolability, gaze, and speech/cry
quality. Breathing and Circulation are the other two components.
Module Reference: APLS - Pediatric Assessment Triangle
4. During a rapid assessment, you note a child is lethargic and has poor eye contact. This is an
abnormality in which component of the Pediatric Assessment Triangle?
A) Breathing
B) Circulation
C) Appearance
D) Disability
Answer: C
Rationale: Appearance is assessed by evaluating tone, interactivity, consolability, gaze, and speech or cry
quality. Lethargy and poor eye contact are signs of abnormal appearance.
Module Reference: APLS - Pediatric Assessment Triangle
5. APLS emphasises which of the following as critical for optimising outcomes in paediatric emergencies?
A) Early recognition
B) Systematic assessment
C) Prompt intervention and effective teamwork
D) All of the above
Answer: D
Rationale: APLS emphasises early recognition, systematic assessment, prompt intervention, and
effective teamwork to optimise outcomes in acutely unwell children.
Module Reference: APLS - Introduction
6. The Exposure (E) component of the ABCDE assessment includes:
A) Full body examination
B) Temperature measurement
C) Inspection for rashes and injuries
D) All of the above
Answer: D
, Rationale: The Exposure (E) assessment includes a complete physical examination to identify rashes,
injuries, or signs of infection while keeping the child warm to prevent hypothermia.
Module Reference: APLS - ABCDE Assessment
7. During the ABCDE assessment, what is the priority after confirming a patent airway?
A) Assess Disability
B) Assess Breathing
C) Assess Circulation
D) Obtain IV access
Answer: B
Rationale: APLS teaches that the airway must be assessed and managed immediately, then the
assessment proceeds to Breathing, Circulation, Disability, and Exposure.
Module Reference: APLS - Structured Approach
8. A child has a GCS score of 12. This indicates:
A) Mild impairment
B) Moderate impairment
C) Severe impairment
D) No impairment
Answer: B
Rationale: GCS 13-15 is mild, GCS 9-12 is moderate, and GCS 8 or less is severe. A score of 12 indicates
moderate impairment.
Module Reference: APLS - Disability Assessment
9. Which of the following is a sign of airway obstruction in a child?
A) Wheezing
B) Grunting
C) Stridor
D) Crackles
Answer: C
Rationale: Stridor is a high-pitched inspiratory sound indicating upper airway obstruction. In a child,
airway obstruction can occur due to infection (e.g., epiglottitis), trauma, or foreign body aspiration.
Module Reference: APLS - Airway Assessment
