ATLS POST TEST
Comprehensive Resource To Help You Ace 2026-2027 Exams
Includes Frequently Tested Questions With ELABORATED
100% Correct COMPLETE SOLUTIONS
Guaranteed Pass First Attempt!! Current Update!!
Instant Download Pdf!!
1. A 22-year-old male sustains a shotgun wound to the left shoulder and chest
at close range. His blood pressure is 80/40 mmHg, and his heart rate is 130
beats per minute. Fluid resuscitation is initiated, his blood pressure
increases to 122/84 mmHg, and heart rate decreases to 100 beats per
minute. He is tachypneic, with a respiratory rate of 28 breaths per minute.
On physical examination, his breath sounds are decreased at the left upper
chest with dullness on percussion. A thoracostomy tube is inserted in the
fifth intercostal space, with the return of 250 mL of blood and no air leak.
The most appropriate next step is to:
A. Insert a Foley catheter
B. Begin to transfuse O-negative blood
C. Perform thoracotomy
D. Obtain a CT scan of the chest and abdomen
E. Repeat the physical examination of the chest - Correct Answer: E
2. Which one of the following signs is associated with class II shock?
A. Narrowed pulse pressure
B. Urine output less than 15 mL per hour
C. Respiratory rate above 35 breathes per minute
D. Hypotension
E. Obtundation - Correct Answer: A
,3. The most common acid-base disturbance encountered in injured pediatric
patients is caused by:
A. Hemorrhage
B. Changes in ventilation
C. Renal failure
D. Injudicious bicarbonate administration
E. Insufficient sodium chloride administration - Correct Answer: B
4. Neurogenic shock is:
A. Diagnosed by the presence of flaccid paralysis
B. Caused by brain injury
C. Due to acute hemorrhage
D. Due to decreased vascular resistance
E. Initially managed with vasopressor therapy - Correct Answer: D
5. A 23-year-old male is admitted to the emergency department 3 hours after
sustaining full-thickness burns to his head, arms, and upper torso for a total
of 50% of his total-body-surface area. He weighs 80 kg (185 pounds). His
blood pressure is 105/75 mmHg, and his heart rate is 135 beats per minute.
A urinary catheter is inserted, with the return of 20 mL of dark amber urine.
He has received 1000 mL of Ringer´s lactate solution since the time of his
injury. The estimated crystalloid fluid resuscitation volume per hour for the
next 5 hours should be:
A. 600 mL
B. 875 mL
C. 1000 mL
D. 1200 mL
E. 2000 mL - Correct Answer: A
,6. A 20-year-old male is brought to the hospital approximately 30 minutes
after being stabbed in the chest. There is a 3-centimeter wound just medial
to the left nipple. His blood pressure is 70/33 mmHg, and his heart rate is
140. Neck and arm veins are distended. Breath sounds are normal. Heart
sounds are diminished. Which of the following would be most useful in
diagnosing and managing his injury?
A. CT scan of the chest
B. 12-lead ECG
C. Left tube thoracostomy
D. Initiation of vasopressors
E. FAST exam - Correct Answer: E
7. A 35-year-old motorcyclist is brought in after a frontal impact collision. His
vital signs are heart rate 140, blood pressure 86/60 mmHg, and respiratory
rate 36. Breath sounds are normal. He is complaining bitterly of lower
abdominal pain. There seems to be a leg-length discrepancy and external
rotation of the leg. Which one of the following statements concerning this
patient is true?
A. Pelvic injury can be ruled out based on the mechanism of injury.
B. The patient most likely has a distal femur fracture.
C. X-rays of the chest and pelvis are important in the initial evaluation.
D. Impaired neurologic status of the left lower limb is expected.
E. Prompt chest tube insertion should be considered. - Correct
Answer: C
8. A 17-year-old female is brought to the emergency department following a
2-meter (6-foot) fall onto concrete. She is unresponsive and found to have a
respiratory rate of 32, blood pressure of 90/60 mmHg, and heart rate of 68.
The first step in the 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 her airway
E. Excluding hemorrhage as a cause of shock - Correct Answer: D
9. Which one of the following statements are true regarding diagnostic
peritoneal lavage?
A. DPL has no utility in the diagnosis of diaphragmatic rupture.
B. DPL should be performed whenever an indication for laparotomy is
present.
C. DPL has high specificity
D. DPL can be used for diagnosing retroperitoneal injuries.
E. DPL has a high sensitivity. - Correct Answer: E
10.A 22 year old male is brought by ambulance to a small community hospital
after falling from the top of an 8 foot ladder. Initially, he was found to have a
large right pneumothorax. A chest tube was inserted and connected to an
underwater seal drainage collection system with negative pressure. A
repeat CXR demonstrates a residual, large right pneumothorax. After
transferring the patient to a verified trauma center, a third chest x-ray
reveals a persistent right pneumothorax. The chest tube appears to be
functioning and in good position. He remains hemodynamically normal with
no signs of respiratory distress. The most likely cause for the persistent right
pneumothorax is:
A. Flail chest
B. Diaphragmatic injury
C. Pulmonary contusion
D. Esophageal perforation
E. Tracheobronchial injury - Correct Answer: E. Tracheobronchial
injury
Comprehensive Resource To Help You Ace 2026-2027 Exams
Includes Frequently Tested Questions With ELABORATED
100% Correct COMPLETE SOLUTIONS
Guaranteed Pass First Attempt!! Current Update!!
Instant Download Pdf!!
1. A 22-year-old male sustains a shotgun wound to the left shoulder and chest
at close range. His blood pressure is 80/40 mmHg, and his heart rate is 130
beats per minute. Fluid resuscitation is initiated, his blood pressure
increases to 122/84 mmHg, and heart rate decreases to 100 beats per
minute. He is tachypneic, with a respiratory rate of 28 breaths per minute.
On physical examination, his breath sounds are decreased at the left upper
chest with dullness on percussion. A thoracostomy tube is inserted in the
fifth intercostal space, with the return of 250 mL of blood and no air leak.
The most appropriate next step is to:
A. Insert a Foley catheter
B. Begin to transfuse O-negative blood
C. Perform thoracotomy
D. Obtain a CT scan of the chest and abdomen
E. Repeat the physical examination of the chest - Correct Answer: E
2. Which one of the following signs is associated with class II shock?
A. Narrowed pulse pressure
B. Urine output less than 15 mL per hour
C. Respiratory rate above 35 breathes per minute
D. Hypotension
E. Obtundation - Correct Answer: A
,3. The most common acid-base disturbance encountered in injured pediatric
patients is caused by:
A. Hemorrhage
B. Changes in ventilation
C. Renal failure
D. Injudicious bicarbonate administration
E. Insufficient sodium chloride administration - Correct Answer: B
4. Neurogenic shock is:
A. Diagnosed by the presence of flaccid paralysis
B. Caused by brain injury
C. Due to acute hemorrhage
D. Due to decreased vascular resistance
E. Initially managed with vasopressor therapy - Correct Answer: D
5. A 23-year-old male is admitted to the emergency department 3 hours after
sustaining full-thickness burns to his head, arms, and upper torso for a total
of 50% of his total-body-surface area. He weighs 80 kg (185 pounds). His
blood pressure is 105/75 mmHg, and his heart rate is 135 beats per minute.
A urinary catheter is inserted, with the return of 20 mL of dark amber urine.
He has received 1000 mL of Ringer´s lactate solution since the time of his
injury. The estimated crystalloid fluid resuscitation volume per hour for the
next 5 hours should be:
A. 600 mL
B. 875 mL
C. 1000 mL
D. 1200 mL
E. 2000 mL - Correct Answer: A
,6. A 20-year-old male is brought to the hospital approximately 30 minutes
after being stabbed in the chest. There is a 3-centimeter wound just medial
to the left nipple. His blood pressure is 70/33 mmHg, and his heart rate is
140. Neck and arm veins are distended. Breath sounds are normal. Heart
sounds are diminished. Which of the following would be most useful in
diagnosing and managing his injury?
A. CT scan of the chest
B. 12-lead ECG
C. Left tube thoracostomy
D. Initiation of vasopressors
E. FAST exam - Correct Answer: E
7. A 35-year-old motorcyclist is brought in after a frontal impact collision. His
vital signs are heart rate 140, blood pressure 86/60 mmHg, and respiratory
rate 36. Breath sounds are normal. He is complaining bitterly of lower
abdominal pain. There seems to be a leg-length discrepancy and external
rotation of the leg. Which one of the following statements concerning this
patient is true?
A. Pelvic injury can be ruled out based on the mechanism of injury.
B. The patient most likely has a distal femur fracture.
C. X-rays of the chest and pelvis are important in the initial evaluation.
D. Impaired neurologic status of the left lower limb is expected.
E. Prompt chest tube insertion should be considered. - Correct
Answer: C
8. A 17-year-old female is brought to the emergency department following a
2-meter (6-foot) fall onto concrete. She is unresponsive and found to have a
respiratory rate of 32, blood pressure of 90/60 mmHg, and heart rate of 68.
The first step in the 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 her airway
E. Excluding hemorrhage as a cause of shock - Correct Answer: D
9. Which one of the following statements are true regarding diagnostic
peritoneal lavage?
A. DPL has no utility in the diagnosis of diaphragmatic rupture.
B. DPL should be performed whenever an indication for laparotomy is
present.
C. DPL has high specificity
D. DPL can be used for diagnosing retroperitoneal injuries.
E. DPL has a high sensitivity. - Correct Answer: E
10.A 22 year old male is brought by ambulance to a small community hospital
after falling from the top of an 8 foot ladder. Initially, he was found to have a
large right pneumothorax. A chest tube was inserted and connected to an
underwater seal drainage collection system with negative pressure. A
repeat CXR demonstrates a residual, large right pneumothorax. After
transferring the patient to a verified trauma center, a third chest x-ray
reveals a persistent right pneumothorax. The chest tube appears to be
functioning and in good position. He remains hemodynamically normal with
no signs of respiratory distress. The most likely cause for the persistent right
pneumothorax is:
A. Flail chest
B. Diaphragmatic injury
C. Pulmonary contusion
D. Esophageal perforation
E. Tracheobronchial injury - Correct Answer: E. Tracheobronchial
injury
