AWLS FINAL TEST | 2026 QUESTIONS WITH
VERIFIED ANSWERS | GRADED A+ COMPLETE
STUDY GUIDE
What is the purpose of the blood sweep during the primary survey?
a. To clear the scene of blood by sweeping it away
b. To identify sites of major bleeding
c. To stop bleeding from most wounds
d. All of the above SOLUTION:b. To identify sites of major bleeding
You are rock climbing with several of your friends when there is a rock slide and
3 of your friends fall 10 to 20 feet to the bottom of the cliff. There are also 2
other people who were injured by falling debris soon afterwards while standing
at the bottom of the cliff and looking up. Which one of the following is correct
in terms of managing this situation?
a. You should move all of the injured people away from the base of the cliff
b. You should not move anybody as there is a risk of spinal injury by moving
them
c. You should put an overhead shade over those at the base of the cliff but not
move them
d. You should leave all patients where they are lying and leave immediately to
get help SOLUTION:a. You should move all of the injured people away from the
base of the cliff
A hiker falls down a steep embankment 100 feet and lands at the bottom. She
is pale but awake. She has a thready carotid pulse of 130 beats / minute and
,complains of feeling very thirsty. Which one of the following best explains her
increased heart rate, paleness and thready pulse?
a. Abrasions on her lower legs and hands that are dirty but have no active
bleeding
b. Deformity of her left wrist without any significant swelling
c. Deformity, pain and swelling in her right ankle
d. Severe tenderness on palpation of her abdomen SOLUTION:d.
Severe tenderness on palpation of her abdomen
Which one of the following is NOT correct in regards to obtaining a history from
a patient in the secondary survey?
a. S = Signs and Symptoms
b. A = Allergies
c. M = Medications
d. P = Past medical history
e. L = Last meal
f. E = Exposure to elements SOLUTION:f. E = Exposure to elements
You are three days into a weeklong backpacking trip when someone in your
group develops worsening abdominal pain. After preforming a thorough
assessment, you suspect constipation to be the cause and elect to watch the
patient overnight. How frequently should you re-assess the victim?
a. Every 15 minutes
b. Just reassess in the morning
c. Never, you already made your assessment
,d. Whenever a change in patient condition or environment occurs
SOLUTION:d. Whenever a change in patient condition or environment occurs
Which one of the following is NOT an area that is concerning for occult blood
loss in the trauma victim?
a. Abdomen
b. Buttocks
c. Chest
d. Pelvis SOLUTION:b. Buttocks
You are snowshoeing in the mountains during winter. It has been in the mid
20's most of the day when you come upon a 35 year-old man off to the side of
the trail. He is breathing and has a strong regular pulse but is very confused
and slow to respond to you. He does not complain of anything. Which one of
the following is a potential etiology for his altered mental status?
a. Hypoglycemia due to too much insulin
b. Seizure with a post-seizure confusion
c. Intoxication with alcohol
d. All of the above should be considered SOLUTION:d. All of the above should
be considered
You arrive at the scene of a drowning event. The victim has been pulled from
the water and is lying on his back. On your initial assessment the victim is
completely unresponsive without any sign of life. Which one of the following is
the most appropriate next step in the management of the victim?
a. Initiate CPR with chest compressions only
, b. Initiate CPR starting with 2-rescue breaths
c. Perform a blood sweep
d. Start rewarming the patient using blankets and body heat
SOLUTION:b. Initiate CPR starting with 2-rescue breaths
Which one of the following is not correct for the Primary Assessment?
a. M - Massive hemorrhage management
b. A - Airway with cervical spine stabilization
c. R - Respiration
d. C - Circulation
e. H - Hemorrhage assessment SOLUTION:e. H - Hemorrhage assessment
Which type of wound is least likely to become infected, and thus would be the
best candidate for backcountry closure?
a. A cut from a knife leading to a 2 cm forearm laceration
b. A crush injury caused when mountain biker strikes the ground with his lower
leg
c. A puncture wound through the plantar surface of the foot caused by a piece
of broken glass at a campground
d. A stab wound to the abdomen inflicted by a pocket knife SOLUTION:a. A
cut from a knife leading to a 2 cm forearm laceration
All of these would be acceptable topical antimicrobials except
a. Bacitracin
b. Mupirocin
VERIFIED ANSWERS | GRADED A+ COMPLETE
STUDY GUIDE
What is the purpose of the blood sweep during the primary survey?
a. To clear the scene of blood by sweeping it away
b. To identify sites of major bleeding
c. To stop bleeding from most wounds
d. All of the above SOLUTION:b. To identify sites of major bleeding
You are rock climbing with several of your friends when there is a rock slide and
3 of your friends fall 10 to 20 feet to the bottom of the cliff. There are also 2
other people who were injured by falling debris soon afterwards while standing
at the bottom of the cliff and looking up. Which one of the following is correct
in terms of managing this situation?
a. You should move all of the injured people away from the base of the cliff
b. You should not move anybody as there is a risk of spinal injury by moving
them
c. You should put an overhead shade over those at the base of the cliff but not
move them
d. You should leave all patients where they are lying and leave immediately to
get help SOLUTION:a. You should move all of the injured people away from the
base of the cliff
A hiker falls down a steep embankment 100 feet and lands at the bottom. She
is pale but awake. She has a thready carotid pulse of 130 beats / minute and
,complains of feeling very thirsty. Which one of the following best explains her
increased heart rate, paleness and thready pulse?
a. Abrasions on her lower legs and hands that are dirty but have no active
bleeding
b. Deformity of her left wrist without any significant swelling
c. Deformity, pain and swelling in her right ankle
d. Severe tenderness on palpation of her abdomen SOLUTION:d.
Severe tenderness on palpation of her abdomen
Which one of the following is NOT correct in regards to obtaining a history from
a patient in the secondary survey?
a. S = Signs and Symptoms
b. A = Allergies
c. M = Medications
d. P = Past medical history
e. L = Last meal
f. E = Exposure to elements SOLUTION:f. E = Exposure to elements
You are three days into a weeklong backpacking trip when someone in your
group develops worsening abdominal pain. After preforming a thorough
assessment, you suspect constipation to be the cause and elect to watch the
patient overnight. How frequently should you re-assess the victim?
a. Every 15 minutes
b. Just reassess in the morning
c. Never, you already made your assessment
,d. Whenever a change in patient condition or environment occurs
SOLUTION:d. Whenever a change in patient condition or environment occurs
Which one of the following is NOT an area that is concerning for occult blood
loss in the trauma victim?
a. Abdomen
b. Buttocks
c. Chest
d. Pelvis SOLUTION:b. Buttocks
You are snowshoeing in the mountains during winter. It has been in the mid
20's most of the day when you come upon a 35 year-old man off to the side of
the trail. He is breathing and has a strong regular pulse but is very confused
and slow to respond to you. He does not complain of anything. Which one of
the following is a potential etiology for his altered mental status?
a. Hypoglycemia due to too much insulin
b. Seizure with a post-seizure confusion
c. Intoxication with alcohol
d. All of the above should be considered SOLUTION:d. All of the above should
be considered
You arrive at the scene of a drowning event. The victim has been pulled from
the water and is lying on his back. On your initial assessment the victim is
completely unresponsive without any sign of life. Which one of the following is
the most appropriate next step in the management of the victim?
a. Initiate CPR with chest compressions only
, b. Initiate CPR starting with 2-rescue breaths
c. Perform a blood sweep
d. Start rewarming the patient using blankets and body heat
SOLUTION:b. Initiate CPR starting with 2-rescue breaths
Which one of the following is not correct for the Primary Assessment?
a. M - Massive hemorrhage management
b. A - Airway with cervical spine stabilization
c. R - Respiration
d. C - Circulation
e. H - Hemorrhage assessment SOLUTION:e. H - Hemorrhage assessment
Which type of wound is least likely to become infected, and thus would be the
best candidate for backcountry closure?
a. A cut from a knife leading to a 2 cm forearm laceration
b. A crush injury caused when mountain biker strikes the ground with his lower
leg
c. A puncture wound through the plantar surface of the foot caused by a piece
of broken glass at a campground
d. A stab wound to the abdomen inflicted by a pocket knife SOLUTION:a. A
cut from a knife leading to a 2 cm forearm laceration
All of these would be acceptable topical antimicrobials except
a. Bacitracin
b. Mupirocin
