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“ATLS POST TEST REVIEW “ NEWEST UPDATED EXAM
2025 – 2026 SOLVED QUESTIONS & ANSWERS VERIFIED
100% GRADED A+ (LATEST VERSION)
ATLS Post Test
An 18 year old male is brought to the ED after being shot. He has one bullet
wound just below the right clavicle and another just below the costal margin in
the right posterior axillary line. His blood pressure is 110/60, heart rate of 90,
and respiratory rate of 34. After ensuring a patent airway and inserting 2 large
caliber IV lines, the next most appropriate step is to:
A. Obtain a portable chest x-ray
B. Administer a bolus of additional IV fluid
C. Perform a laparatomy
D. Obtain an abdominal CT scan
E. Perform diagnostic peritoneal lavage
A. Obtain a portable chest x-ray
need more info on chest, not abdomen
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
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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 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
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
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
B. A vertebral injury is unlikely in the absence of physical findings of a cord injury
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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
D. Applying oxygen and maintaining airway
First = ABCs
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
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
E. retrograde urethrography
-> any ecchymosis, needs to be done before catheter!
A 30 year old male presents after a MVC. Vitals are RR 18, HR 88, BP 130/72,
GCS 13. Laparatomy is indicated when:
A. There is a distinct seat belt sign over the abdomen
B. The CT demonstrates a grade 4 hepatic injury
C. There is evidence of extraperitoneal bladder injury
“ATLS POST TEST REVIEW “ NEWEST UPDATED EXAM
2025 – 2026 SOLVED QUESTIONS & ANSWERS VERIFIED
100% GRADED A+ (LATEST VERSION)
ATLS Post Test
An 18 year old male is brought to the ED after being shot. He has one bullet
wound just below the right clavicle and another just below the costal margin in
the right posterior axillary line. His blood pressure is 110/60, heart rate of 90,
and respiratory rate of 34. After ensuring a patent airway and inserting 2 large
caliber IV lines, the next most appropriate step is to:
A. Obtain a portable chest x-ray
B. Administer a bolus of additional IV fluid
C. Perform a laparatomy
D. Obtain an abdominal CT scan
E. Perform diagnostic peritoneal lavage
A. Obtain a portable chest x-ray
need more info on chest, not abdomen
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
, Page 2 of 29
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 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
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
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
B. A vertebral injury is unlikely in the absence of physical findings of a cord injury
, Page 3 of 29
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
D. Applying oxygen and maintaining airway
First = ABCs
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
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
E. retrograde urethrography
-> any ecchymosis, needs to be done before catheter!
A 30 year old male presents after a MVC. Vitals are RR 18, HR 88, BP 130/72,
GCS 13. Laparatomy is indicated when:
A. There is a distinct seat belt sign over the abdomen
B. The CT demonstrates a grade 4 hepatic injury
C. There is evidence of extraperitoneal bladder injury
