1|Page
ATLS Post Test 2 Study Guide | Verified Trauma Life
Support Exam Answers & Comprehensive
Review||Newest Exam!!!
Which of the following should be performed FIRST in any
patient whose injuries may include multiple closed
extremity fractures?
A. A thorough assessment of four limb perfusion
B. Manuevers to prevent necrosis of the skin
C. Extremity compartment syndrome release
D. Ensuring adequate oxygenation and ventilation
E. Evaluation for occult crush syndrome - Answers-D.
Ensuring adequate oxygenation and ventilation
(ABC's)
A 22 year old male sustains a shotgun wound to the
shoulder and chest at close range. His BP is 80/40 and
HR 130. After 2 L of crystalloid solution are rapidly infused,
his BP increases to 122/84 and HR decreases to 100. He
is tachypneic with RR of 28. On PE, his breath sounds are
decreased at the left upper chest with dullness on
percussion. A large caliber tube thoracostomy is inserted
,2|Page
into the fifth intercostal space with the return of 200 mL of
blood and no air leak. The most appropriate next step is:
A. Insert a foley catheter
B. Begin to transfuse O negative blood
C. Perform thoracotomy
D. Obtain a CT Chest/Abd
E. Repeat the physical exam of the chest - Answers-E.
Repeat the physical exam of the chest
decreased breath sounds w/dullness -> hemothorax, need
tube to drain
vs.
decreased/absent breath sounds w/hyperresonance ->
tension pneumonia, need needle decompression followed
by tube
Which one of the following statements concerning spine
and spinal cord trauma is TRUE?
A. A normal lateral C spine film excludes injury
B. A vertebral injury is unlikely in the absence of physical
findings of a cord injury
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C. A patient with a suspected spine injury requires
immobilization on a short spine
D. Diaphragmatic breathing in an unconscious patient who
has fallen is a sign of spine injury
E. Determination of whether a spinal cord lesion is
complete or incomplete must be made in the primary
survey - Answers-B. A vertebral injury is unlikely in the
absence of physical findings of a cord injury
A 17 year old female is brought to the ED following a 6
feet fall onto concrete. She is unresponsive and found to
have a RR of 32, BP of 90/60, and HR of 68. The FIRST
step in treatment is:
A. Administering vasopressors
B. Establishing IV access for drug-assisted intubation
C. Seeking the cause of her decreased level of
consciousness
D. Applying oxygen and maintaining airway
E. Excluding hemorrhage as a cause of shock - Answers-
D. Applying oxygen and maintaining airway
First = ABCs
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Signs and symptoms of airway compromise include all of
the following except:
A. Change in voice
B. Stridor
C. Tachypea
D. Dyspnea and agitation
E. Decreased pulse pressure - Answers-E. Decreased
pulse pressure
A 47 year old house painter is brought to the hospital after
falling 20 feet from a ladder and landing straddled on a
fence. Examination of his perineum reveals extensive
ecchymosis. There is blood in the external urethral
meatus. The initial diagnostic study for the evaluation of
the urinary tract should be:
A. cystoscopy
B. cystography
C. intravenous pyelography
D. CT scan
E. retrograde urethrography - Answers-E. retrograde
urethrography
-> any ecchymosis, needs to be done before catheter!
ATLS Post Test 2 Study Guide | Verified Trauma Life
Support Exam Answers & Comprehensive
Review||Newest Exam!!!
Which of the following should be performed FIRST in any
patient whose injuries may include multiple closed
extremity fractures?
A. A thorough assessment of four limb perfusion
B. Manuevers to prevent necrosis of the skin
C. Extremity compartment syndrome release
D. Ensuring adequate oxygenation and ventilation
E. Evaluation for occult crush syndrome - Answers-D.
Ensuring adequate oxygenation and ventilation
(ABC's)
A 22 year old male sustains a shotgun wound to the
shoulder and chest at close range. His BP is 80/40 and
HR 130. After 2 L of crystalloid solution are rapidly infused,
his BP increases to 122/84 and HR decreases to 100. He
is tachypneic with RR of 28. On PE, his breath sounds are
decreased at the left upper chest with dullness on
percussion. A large caliber tube thoracostomy is inserted
,2|Page
into the fifth intercostal space with the return of 200 mL of
blood and no air leak. The most appropriate next step is:
A. Insert a foley catheter
B. Begin to transfuse O negative blood
C. Perform thoracotomy
D. Obtain a CT Chest/Abd
E. Repeat the physical exam of the chest - Answers-E.
Repeat the physical exam of the chest
decreased breath sounds w/dullness -> hemothorax, need
tube to drain
vs.
decreased/absent breath sounds w/hyperresonance ->
tension pneumonia, need needle decompression followed
by tube
Which one of the following statements concerning spine
and spinal cord trauma is TRUE?
A. A normal lateral C spine film excludes injury
B. A vertebral injury is unlikely in the absence of physical
findings of a cord injury
,3|Page
C. A patient with a suspected spine injury requires
immobilization on a short spine
D. Diaphragmatic breathing in an unconscious patient who
has fallen is a sign of spine injury
E. Determination of whether a spinal cord lesion is
complete or incomplete must be made in the primary
survey - Answers-B. A vertebral injury is unlikely in the
absence of physical findings of a cord injury
A 17 year old female is brought to the ED following a 6
feet fall onto concrete. She is unresponsive and found to
have a RR of 32, BP of 90/60, and HR of 68. The FIRST
step in treatment is:
A. Administering vasopressors
B. Establishing IV access for drug-assisted intubation
C. Seeking the cause of her decreased level of
consciousness
D. Applying oxygen and maintaining airway
E. Excluding hemorrhage as a cause of shock - Answers-
D. Applying oxygen and maintaining airway
First = ABCs
, 4|Page
Signs and symptoms of airway compromise include all of
the following except:
A. Change in voice
B. Stridor
C. Tachypea
D. Dyspnea and agitation
E. Decreased pulse pressure - Answers-E. Decreased
pulse pressure
A 47 year old house painter is brought to the hospital after
falling 20 feet from a ladder and landing straddled on a
fence. Examination of his perineum reveals extensive
ecchymosis. There is blood in the external urethral
meatus. The initial diagnostic study for the evaluation of
the urinary tract should be:
A. cystoscopy
B. cystography
C. intravenous pyelography
D. CT scan
E. retrograde urethrography - Answers-E. retrograde
urethrography
-> any ecchymosis, needs to be done before catheter!
