EPALS UPDATED ACTUAL EXAM PAPER 2026
QUESTIONS WITH SOLUTIONS GRADED A+
◉ distributive shock. Answer: inadequate disruption of blood, so that the
blood flow is insufficient for the oxygenation of the tissues.
(anaphylaxis/sepsis/neurogenic)
◉ cardiogenic shock. Answer: circulatory failure due to poor heart
function (cardiomyopathy/myocarditis/cardiac surgery)
◉ obstructive shock. Answer: circulatory failure due to obstruction of
blood flow to/from the heart (tension pneumothorax/cardiac tamponade)
◉ Dissociative Shock. Answer: insufficient oxygen carrying capacity of
the blood (anaemia/carbon monoxide poisoning)
◉ Weight Estimation. Answer: weight (kg) = (age in years +4) x2
◉ cardiac output. Answer: Cardiac output = heart rate x stroke volume
(blood volume ejected each contraction)
, ◉ blood pressure. Answer: blood pressure = cardiac output X systemic
vascular resistance
◉ compensation mechanism in shock. Answer: Tachycardia,
vasoconstriction, increased myocardial contractibility
◉ Sizing of oropharyngeal airway. Answer: laid against the side of the
face, has a length equal to the distance between the level of the patients
incisors (or where they will be) to the angle of the jaw
◉ sizing nasopharyngeal airway. Answer: depth - from the nostril to the
angle of the mandible.
diameter - shouldn't blanch the nostril
◉ attempts to interrupt intubation.... Answer: peripheral oxygen
saturations begin to fall
heart rate begins to fall or is less than 60bpm
more than 30 seconds has elapsed
◉ suddenly deterioration of the intubated patient (DOPES). Answer: D -
displacement of the tube
O - obstruction of the tube (secretions/kinking)
P - pneumothorax and other pulmonary disorders
(bronchospasm/oedema/pulmonary hypertension)
QUESTIONS WITH SOLUTIONS GRADED A+
◉ distributive shock. Answer: inadequate disruption of blood, so that the
blood flow is insufficient for the oxygenation of the tissues.
(anaphylaxis/sepsis/neurogenic)
◉ cardiogenic shock. Answer: circulatory failure due to poor heart
function (cardiomyopathy/myocarditis/cardiac surgery)
◉ obstructive shock. Answer: circulatory failure due to obstruction of
blood flow to/from the heart (tension pneumothorax/cardiac tamponade)
◉ Dissociative Shock. Answer: insufficient oxygen carrying capacity of
the blood (anaemia/carbon monoxide poisoning)
◉ Weight Estimation. Answer: weight (kg) = (age in years +4) x2
◉ cardiac output. Answer: Cardiac output = heart rate x stroke volume
(blood volume ejected each contraction)
, ◉ blood pressure. Answer: blood pressure = cardiac output X systemic
vascular resistance
◉ compensation mechanism in shock. Answer: Tachycardia,
vasoconstriction, increased myocardial contractibility
◉ Sizing of oropharyngeal airway. Answer: laid against the side of the
face, has a length equal to the distance between the level of the patients
incisors (or where they will be) to the angle of the jaw
◉ sizing nasopharyngeal airway. Answer: depth - from the nostril to the
angle of the mandible.
diameter - shouldn't blanch the nostril
◉ attempts to interrupt intubation.... Answer: peripheral oxygen
saturations begin to fall
heart rate begins to fall or is less than 60bpm
more than 30 seconds has elapsed
◉ suddenly deterioration of the intubated patient (DOPES). Answer: D -
displacement of the tube
O - obstruction of the tube (secretions/kinking)
P - pneumothorax and other pulmonary disorders
(bronchospasm/oedema/pulmonary hypertension)
