ATLS MCQ EXAM 1 EXAM SCRIPT 2026
COMPLETE QUESTIONS AND CORRECT
ANSWERS
◉ Causes of shock. Answer: 1) Tension pneumothorax
2) Hypotension following injury due to blood loss
◉ Sigs of hypovolemia. Answer: -Ashen, gray facial skin and pale
extremities
-Rapid, thready pulse
-Altered LOC (impaired cerebral perfusion)
◉ Most common origin of shock associated with injury. Answer:
Hypovolemic shock
◉ Treatment of hypovolemic shock. Answer: 1) Warmed IV fluid
therapy with crystalloids (37-40C or 98.6-104F) with bolus of 1L of
isotonic solution
2) Blood transfusion
◉ The ________ score of the GCS correlates with outcome.. Answer:
Motor
, ◉ Until proven otherwise, alway presume that changes in level of
consciousness are a result of..... Answer: central nervous system injury
◉ Optimal temperature for warmed crystalloid IV fluids. Answer: 39C
or 102.2F
◉ Physiologic parameters that reflect adequacy of resuscitation.
Answer: Pulse rate, BP, pulse pressure, ventilatory rate, ABG levels,
body temperature and urinary output
◉ Capnography. Answer: Confirm intubation of the airway (NOT the
proper placement of tube)
Measures concentration of CO2 in expired air over time
Provides insight into patient's ventilation, circulation and metabolism
◉ ABG levels that indicate shock. Answer: Low pH and base excess
levels
◉ Urethral injury. Answer: PE findings: presence of blood at urethral
meatus or perineal ecchymosis
Transurethral bladder catheterization is CI
Perform retrograde urethrogram to confirm urethral integrity before the
catheter is inserted
COMPLETE QUESTIONS AND CORRECT
ANSWERS
◉ Causes of shock. Answer: 1) Tension pneumothorax
2) Hypotension following injury due to blood loss
◉ Sigs of hypovolemia. Answer: -Ashen, gray facial skin and pale
extremities
-Rapid, thready pulse
-Altered LOC (impaired cerebral perfusion)
◉ Most common origin of shock associated with injury. Answer:
Hypovolemic shock
◉ Treatment of hypovolemic shock. Answer: 1) Warmed IV fluid
therapy with crystalloids (37-40C or 98.6-104F) with bolus of 1L of
isotonic solution
2) Blood transfusion
◉ The ________ score of the GCS correlates with outcome.. Answer:
Motor
, ◉ Until proven otherwise, alway presume that changes in level of
consciousness are a result of..... Answer: central nervous system injury
◉ Optimal temperature for warmed crystalloid IV fluids. Answer: 39C
or 102.2F
◉ Physiologic parameters that reflect adequacy of resuscitation.
Answer: Pulse rate, BP, pulse pressure, ventilatory rate, ABG levels,
body temperature and urinary output
◉ Capnography. Answer: Confirm intubation of the airway (NOT the
proper placement of tube)
Measures concentration of CO2 in expired air over time
Provides insight into patient's ventilation, circulation and metabolism
◉ ABG levels that indicate shock. Answer: Low pH and base excess
levels
◉ Urethral injury. Answer: PE findings: presence of blood at urethral
meatus or perineal ecchymosis
Transurethral bladder catheterization is CI
Perform retrograde urethrogram to confirm urethral integrity before the
catheter is inserted
