AWLS EXAM 2025/2026 | ACTUAL COMPREHENSIVE REAL
EXAM QUESTIONS AND CORRECT ANSWERS (VERIFIED
ANSWERS) ALREADY GRADED A+ -ASSURED
/2025 BRAND NEW!!
Which is the mechanism behind shallow water blackout?
a) hyperventilation results in increased blood O2 levels,
causing one to lose the drive to surface to breathe
b.) hyperventilation results in increased blood CO2 levels,
causing one to lose the drive to surface to breathe
c.) the lowered CO2 level from hyperventilation causes one to
seize & lose consciousness under water
d.) the O2 level in the blood drops too low before one has the
drive to surface to breathe - ANSWER-d.) the O2 level in the
blood drops too low before one has the drive to surface to
breathe
Which of the following describes the basic pathophysiology of
drowning?
a.) cerebral edema due to excessive fluid intake & resultant
respiratory arrest
b.) electrolyte dilution causing cardiac dysrthythmia &
respiratory arrest
,c) pulmonary injury causing hypoxia & possibly cardiac &
neurologic injury
d.) increased compliance & elasticity of the lungs, leading to
hypoxia - ANSWER-c) pulmonary injury causing hypoxia &
possibly cardiac & neurologic injury
a 30 yr old male dives headfirst into a lake. He surfaces
within 5 sec but is floating & unconscious. What is the
most likely etiology? a.) aspirated a large amount of water
b.) hyperventilated before jumping in the water & suffered
arrest due to increased CO2 level
c.) suffered cardiac arrest due to sudden coldness of the water
d.) suffered cardiac arrest due to aspiration of hypotonic water
& electrolyte dilution
e.) suffered cervical injury & paralysis by striking the bottom of
the lake - ANSWER-e.) suffered cervical injury & paralysis by
striking the bottom of the lake
Which is NOT part of the management of the drowning victim in
the field setting?
a.) heimlich maneuver to increase gastric emptying
b.) immediate CPR if the pt is not breathing
c.) seen assessment to ensure it is safe to rescue the victim
d.) stabilization of C-spine if there is concern of injury
,e.) thorough assessment of respiratory system if the pt is
awake - ANSWER-a.) heimlich maneuver to increase gastric
emptying
Which is NOT a method to help prevent drowning?
a.) all rafters should wear personal flotation devices
b.) alcohol should be consumed in moderation around water
c.) camp sites should be established away from water
d.) swimming pools should be surrounded by a 5 ft fence
e.) those working around water should have CPR & water
rescue skills - ANSWER-b.) alcohol should be consumed in
moderation around water
you come across a 56 yr old man having chest pain while hiking.
He has HTN &
takes a diuretic. No allergies, has never had similar pain.
Describes it as
moderate pressure on his chest for > 1 hr. Strong radial
pulse w/ HR of 52.
Which is the most appropriate
management?
a.) epi 0.3 mg IM via auto-
injector
b) give his diuretic & wait to see how he
responds
, c.) inhaled
albuterol
d.) nitroglycerin 0.4 mg
sublingual
e.) oral beta blocker - ANSWER-d.) nitroglycerin 0.4
mg sublingual
Which is a potential risk/ side effect of giving nitro in the
wilderness? a.) HTN that is difficult to bring down
b.) hyperglycemia in a diabetic
c.) hypoglycemia, requiring glucagon
d.) hypotension with even one 0.4 mg tablet
e.) wheezing & difficulty breathing in asthmatic pt - ANSWER-d.)
hypotension with even one 0.4 mg tablet
30 yr old female with hx of asthma c/o increased wheezing &
difficulty breathing for 2 days. Says this is a moderate episode
brought on by the campfire smoke. Has good improvement
with albuterol inhaler but has to use it more often. What is
good to add to her regimen? a.) antibiotics
b.) aspirin
c.) clopidogrel
d.) nitro sublingually
e.) steroids orally - ANSWER-e.) steroids orally
EXAM QUESTIONS AND CORRECT ANSWERS (VERIFIED
ANSWERS) ALREADY GRADED A+ -ASSURED
/2025 BRAND NEW!!
Which is the mechanism behind shallow water blackout?
a) hyperventilation results in increased blood O2 levels,
causing one to lose the drive to surface to breathe
b.) hyperventilation results in increased blood CO2 levels,
causing one to lose the drive to surface to breathe
c.) the lowered CO2 level from hyperventilation causes one to
seize & lose consciousness under water
d.) the O2 level in the blood drops too low before one has the
drive to surface to breathe - ANSWER-d.) the O2 level in the
blood drops too low before one has the drive to surface to
breathe
Which of the following describes the basic pathophysiology of
drowning?
a.) cerebral edema due to excessive fluid intake & resultant
respiratory arrest
b.) electrolyte dilution causing cardiac dysrthythmia &
respiratory arrest
,c) pulmonary injury causing hypoxia & possibly cardiac &
neurologic injury
d.) increased compliance & elasticity of the lungs, leading to
hypoxia - ANSWER-c) pulmonary injury causing hypoxia &
possibly cardiac & neurologic injury
a 30 yr old male dives headfirst into a lake. He surfaces
within 5 sec but is floating & unconscious. What is the
most likely etiology? a.) aspirated a large amount of water
b.) hyperventilated before jumping in the water & suffered
arrest due to increased CO2 level
c.) suffered cardiac arrest due to sudden coldness of the water
d.) suffered cardiac arrest due to aspiration of hypotonic water
& electrolyte dilution
e.) suffered cervical injury & paralysis by striking the bottom of
the lake - ANSWER-e.) suffered cervical injury & paralysis by
striking the bottom of the lake
Which is NOT part of the management of the drowning victim in
the field setting?
a.) heimlich maneuver to increase gastric emptying
b.) immediate CPR if the pt is not breathing
c.) seen assessment to ensure it is safe to rescue the victim
d.) stabilization of C-spine if there is concern of injury
,e.) thorough assessment of respiratory system if the pt is
awake - ANSWER-a.) heimlich maneuver to increase gastric
emptying
Which is NOT a method to help prevent drowning?
a.) all rafters should wear personal flotation devices
b.) alcohol should be consumed in moderation around water
c.) camp sites should be established away from water
d.) swimming pools should be surrounded by a 5 ft fence
e.) those working around water should have CPR & water
rescue skills - ANSWER-b.) alcohol should be consumed in
moderation around water
you come across a 56 yr old man having chest pain while hiking.
He has HTN &
takes a diuretic. No allergies, has never had similar pain.
Describes it as
moderate pressure on his chest for > 1 hr. Strong radial
pulse w/ HR of 52.
Which is the most appropriate
management?
a.) epi 0.3 mg IM via auto-
injector
b) give his diuretic & wait to see how he
responds
, c.) inhaled
albuterol
d.) nitroglycerin 0.4 mg
sublingual
e.) oral beta blocker - ANSWER-d.) nitroglycerin 0.4
mg sublingual
Which is a potential risk/ side effect of giving nitro in the
wilderness? a.) HTN that is difficult to bring down
b.) hyperglycemia in a diabetic
c.) hypoglycemia, requiring glucagon
d.) hypotension with even one 0.4 mg tablet
e.) wheezing & difficulty breathing in asthmatic pt - ANSWER-d.)
hypotension with even one 0.4 mg tablet
30 yr old female with hx of asthma c/o increased wheezing &
difficulty breathing for 2 days. Says this is a moderate episode
brought on by the campfire smoke. Has good improvement
with albuterol inhaler but has to use it more often. What is
good to add to her regimen? a.) antibiotics
b.) aspirin
c.) clopidogrel
d.) nitro sublingually
e.) steroids orally - ANSWER-e.) steroids orally
