ATLS 10th Edition Post (Latest 2025 /
2026): Most Comprehensive Qs & Ans,
Exams of Nursing
After being involved in a motor vehicle crash, a 25-year-old man is
brought to a hospital with a general surgeon on duty. He has a GCS of
13 and complains of abdominal pain. His blood pressure was 80mmHg
systolic by palpation on arrival at the hospital, but increases to 110/70
wit the administration of 2L of IV-fluid. His heart rate remains 120 beats
per minute. CT shows an aortic injury and splenic laceration with free
abdominal fluid. His blood pressure falls to 70mmHg after CT. The next
step is to
A. Contrast angiography
B. Transfer to a higher level trauma center
C. Exploratory laparotomy
D. Transfuse packed red blood cells
E. Transesophageal echocardiography - Correct AnswerC. Exploratory
laparotomy
Which one of the following statements regarding abdominal trauma in
the pregnant patient is TRUE?
A. The fetus is in jeopardy only with major abdominal trauma
B. Leakage of amniotic fluid is an indication for hospital admission
Page 1 of 101
,C. Indications for peritoneal lavage are different from those in the non-
pregnant patient
D. Penetration of an abdominal hollow viscus is mor common late than
in early pregnancy
E. The secondary survey follows a different pattern from that of the
non-pregnant patient - Correct AnswerB. Leakage of amniotic fluid is an
indication for hospital admission
All of the following are indicators of inhalation injury EXCEPT:
A. Singeing of the eyebrows and nasal vibrissae
B. Carboxyhemoglobin level >4%
C. Carbon deposits in the mouth or nose and carbonaceous sputum
D. Hoarseness
E. Face or neck burns - Correct AnswerB. Carboxyhemoglobin level >4%
(grensen er 10%)
A 32-year-old man right leg is trapped beneath his overturned car for
nearly 2 hours before he is extricated. On arrival in the ED, his right
lower extremity is cool, mottled, insensate, and motionless. Despite
normal vital signs, pulses cannot be palpated inferior to the femoral
artery, and the muscles of the lower extremity are firm and hard. During
initial management of this patient, which of the following is most likely
to improve chances for limb salvage?
A. Apply skeletal traction
Page 2 of 101
,B. Administering anticoagulant drugs
C. Adminstering thrombolytic therapy
D. Perform right lower extremity fasciotomy
E. Immediately transferring the patient to a trauma center. - Correct
AnswerD. Perform right lower extremity fasciotomy
A patient arrives in the ED after being beaten about the head and face
with a wooden club. He is comatose and has a palpable depressed skull
fracture. His face is swollen and ecchymotic. He has gurgling
respirations and vomitus on his face and clothing. The most appropriate
step after providing supplemental oxygen and elevating his jaw is to:
A. Request a CT-scan
B. Insert a gastric tube
C. Suction of the oropharynx
D. Obtain a lateral cervical spine x-ray
E. Ventilate the patient with a bag-mask - Correct AnswerC. Suction of
the oropharynx
A 64-year-old man, involved in a high-speed car crash, is resuscitated
initially in a small hospital with limited resources. He has a closed head
injury with a GCS score of 13. He has a widened mediastinum on chest
x-ray with fractures of left ribs 2 through 4 but no pneumothorax. After
infusing 2 liters of crystalloid solution, his blood pressure is 100/74,
heart rate is 110 beats per minute, and respiratory rate is 18 breaths
Page 3 of 101
, per minute. He has gross hematuria and a pelvic fracture. You decide to
transfer this patient to a facility capable of providing a higher level of
care. The facility is 128km (80 miles) away. Before transfer, you should
first:
A. Intubate the patient
B. Perform diagnostic peritoneal lavage
C. Apply the pneumatic antishock garment
D. Call the receiving hospital and speak to the surgeon on call
E. Discuss the advisability of transfer with the patients family. - Correct
AnswerD. Call the receiving hospital and speak to the surgeon on call
During the third trimester of pregnancy, all of the following changes
occur normally, EXCEPT a:
A. Decrease in PaCO2
B. Decrease in the leukocyte count
C. Reduce gastric emptying rate
D. Diminished residual lung volume
E. Diminished pelvic ligament tension - Correct AnswerB. Decrease in
the leukocyte count
In managing the head-injury patient, the most important initial step is
to:
A. Secure the airway
Page 4 of 101
2026): Most Comprehensive Qs & Ans,
Exams of Nursing
After being involved in a motor vehicle crash, a 25-year-old man is
brought to a hospital with a general surgeon on duty. He has a GCS of
13 and complains of abdominal pain. His blood pressure was 80mmHg
systolic by palpation on arrival at the hospital, but increases to 110/70
wit the administration of 2L of IV-fluid. His heart rate remains 120 beats
per minute. CT shows an aortic injury and splenic laceration with free
abdominal fluid. His blood pressure falls to 70mmHg after CT. The next
step is to
A. Contrast angiography
B. Transfer to a higher level trauma center
C. Exploratory laparotomy
D. Transfuse packed red blood cells
E. Transesophageal echocardiography - Correct AnswerC. Exploratory
laparotomy
Which one of the following statements regarding abdominal trauma in
the pregnant patient is TRUE?
A. The fetus is in jeopardy only with major abdominal trauma
B. Leakage of amniotic fluid is an indication for hospital admission
Page 1 of 101
,C. Indications for peritoneal lavage are different from those in the non-
pregnant patient
D. Penetration of an abdominal hollow viscus is mor common late than
in early pregnancy
E. The secondary survey follows a different pattern from that of the
non-pregnant patient - Correct AnswerB. Leakage of amniotic fluid is an
indication for hospital admission
All of the following are indicators of inhalation injury EXCEPT:
A. Singeing of the eyebrows and nasal vibrissae
B. Carboxyhemoglobin level >4%
C. Carbon deposits in the mouth or nose and carbonaceous sputum
D. Hoarseness
E. Face or neck burns - Correct AnswerB. Carboxyhemoglobin level >4%
(grensen er 10%)
A 32-year-old man right leg is trapped beneath his overturned car for
nearly 2 hours before he is extricated. On arrival in the ED, his right
lower extremity is cool, mottled, insensate, and motionless. Despite
normal vital signs, pulses cannot be palpated inferior to the femoral
artery, and the muscles of the lower extremity are firm and hard. During
initial management of this patient, which of the following is most likely
to improve chances for limb salvage?
A. Apply skeletal traction
Page 2 of 101
,B. Administering anticoagulant drugs
C. Adminstering thrombolytic therapy
D. Perform right lower extremity fasciotomy
E. Immediately transferring the patient to a trauma center. - Correct
AnswerD. Perform right lower extremity fasciotomy
A patient arrives in the ED after being beaten about the head and face
with a wooden club. He is comatose and has a palpable depressed skull
fracture. His face is swollen and ecchymotic. He has gurgling
respirations and vomitus on his face and clothing. The most appropriate
step after providing supplemental oxygen and elevating his jaw is to:
A. Request a CT-scan
B. Insert a gastric tube
C. Suction of the oropharynx
D. Obtain a lateral cervical spine x-ray
E. Ventilate the patient with a bag-mask - Correct AnswerC. Suction of
the oropharynx
A 64-year-old man, involved in a high-speed car crash, is resuscitated
initially in a small hospital with limited resources. He has a closed head
injury with a GCS score of 13. He has a widened mediastinum on chest
x-ray with fractures of left ribs 2 through 4 but no pneumothorax. After
infusing 2 liters of crystalloid solution, his blood pressure is 100/74,
heart rate is 110 beats per minute, and respiratory rate is 18 breaths
Page 3 of 101
, per minute. He has gross hematuria and a pelvic fracture. You decide to
transfer this patient to a facility capable of providing a higher level of
care. The facility is 128km (80 miles) away. Before transfer, you should
first:
A. Intubate the patient
B. Perform diagnostic peritoneal lavage
C. Apply the pneumatic antishock garment
D. Call the receiving hospital and speak to the surgeon on call
E. Discuss the advisability of transfer with the patients family. - Correct
AnswerD. Call the receiving hospital and speak to the surgeon on call
During the third trimester of pregnancy, all of the following changes
occur normally, EXCEPT a:
A. Decrease in PaCO2
B. Decrease in the leukocyte count
C. Reduce gastric emptying rate
D. Diminished residual lung volume
E. Diminished pelvic ligament tension - Correct AnswerB. Decrease in
the leukocyte count
In managing the head-injury patient, the most important initial step is
to:
A. Secure the airway
Page 4 of 101
