ATLS WRITTEN REVIEW EXAM NEWEST
2026 QUESTIONS AND CORRECT
ANSWERS (LATEST UPDATE)
GRADED A+ VERIFIED BY EXPERTS
What is the primary goal of treating TBI? How is this
done?
- Answer-preventing secondary brain injury. This is
done by maintaining blood pressure and providing
adequate profusion.
After managing ABCDEs of TBI what MUST be
identified if present? How is this done?
- Answer-mass lesion that requires surgical
evacuation is critical! this is done with CT. NOTE:
obtaining a CT should not delay patient transfer to
trauma center.
Which brain lobes do the following hold:
1|Page
,1. anterior fossa:
2. middle fossa:
3. posterior fossa:
- Answer-1. anterior fossa: frontal lobes
2. middle fossa: temporal lobes
3. posterior fossa: lower brainstem and cerebellum
What are the 3 layers of the meninges?
- Answer-dura mater, arachnoid mater, pia mater
What does the dura mater adhere firmly to?
- Answer-the skull. it is tough and fibrous
What layer of the meninges splits into two leaves as
specific sites to enclose large venous sinuses? What
do these sinuses do?
- Answer-dura mater.
2|Page
,these sinuses provide major venous drainage from
the brain.
What is the midline sinus of of the brain that splits
into two sinuses: bilateral transverse and sigmoid
sinus? What side are these bigger on?
- Answer-The main sinus enclosed by the dura
major is the midline superior sagital sinus. This
splits into the sigmoid and bilateral transverse
sinuses which are larger on the right side.
What are the arteries that lie between the skull and
the dura mater (epidural space)?
- Answer-meningeal arteries.
What is the most commonly injured meningeal
artery and where is it located?
- Answer-middle meningeal artery.
Located over the temporal fossa
3|Page
, T/F: the arachnoid mater is fused to the dura
mater?
- Answer-FALSE: not attached. This produces a
potential space for a subdural hematoma
In a subdural hematoma, what is the cause?
- Answer-injury to bridging veins that extend from
brain surface to the sinuses within the dura.
_______ fills the space between the arachnoid and
pia mater?
- Answer-CSF. this cushions the brain and spinal
cord.
What location of brain hemorrhage is frequently
seen in brain contusion or injury to major blood
vessels at base of brain?
- Answer-subarachnoid.
4|Page
2026 QUESTIONS AND CORRECT
ANSWERS (LATEST UPDATE)
GRADED A+ VERIFIED BY EXPERTS
What is the primary goal of treating TBI? How is this
done?
- Answer-preventing secondary brain injury. This is
done by maintaining blood pressure and providing
adequate profusion.
After managing ABCDEs of TBI what MUST be
identified if present? How is this done?
- Answer-mass lesion that requires surgical
evacuation is critical! this is done with CT. NOTE:
obtaining a CT should not delay patient transfer to
trauma center.
Which brain lobes do the following hold:
1|Page
,1. anterior fossa:
2. middle fossa:
3. posterior fossa:
- Answer-1. anterior fossa: frontal lobes
2. middle fossa: temporal lobes
3. posterior fossa: lower brainstem and cerebellum
What are the 3 layers of the meninges?
- Answer-dura mater, arachnoid mater, pia mater
What does the dura mater adhere firmly to?
- Answer-the skull. it is tough and fibrous
What layer of the meninges splits into two leaves as
specific sites to enclose large venous sinuses? What
do these sinuses do?
- Answer-dura mater.
2|Page
,these sinuses provide major venous drainage from
the brain.
What is the midline sinus of of the brain that splits
into two sinuses: bilateral transverse and sigmoid
sinus? What side are these bigger on?
- Answer-The main sinus enclosed by the dura
major is the midline superior sagital sinus. This
splits into the sigmoid and bilateral transverse
sinuses which are larger on the right side.
What are the arteries that lie between the skull and
the dura mater (epidural space)?
- Answer-meningeal arteries.
What is the most commonly injured meningeal
artery and where is it located?
- Answer-middle meningeal artery.
Located over the temporal fossa
3|Page
, T/F: the arachnoid mater is fused to the dura
mater?
- Answer-FALSE: not attached. This produces a
potential space for a subdural hematoma
In a subdural hematoma, what is the cause?
- Answer-injury to bridging veins that extend from
brain surface to the sinuses within the dura.
_______ fills the space between the arachnoid and
pia mater?
- Answer-CSF. this cushions the brain and spinal
cord.
What location of brain hemorrhage is frequently
seen in brain contusion or injury to major blood
vessels at base of brain?
- Answer-subarachnoid.
4|Page
