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ATLS Vasopressor Use in Trauma
Practice Test Questions And Correct
Answers (Verified Answers) Plus
Rationales 2026 Q&A Instant Download
Pdf
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1. A trauma patient arrives with hypotension after a penetrating abdominal
injury. What is the priority before initiating vasopressor therapy?
A. Start a high-dose vasopressor infusion
B. Control hemorrhage and restore circulating volume
C. Administer a diuretic
D. Restrict all fluids
Answer: B. Control hemorrhage and restore circulating volume
Rationale: In hemorrhagic shock, the primary priorities are hemorrhage control,
appropriate resuscitation, and restoration of perfusion. Vasopressors should not
replace definitive treatment of ongoing blood loss.
2. In a trauma patient with persistent hypotension after adequate volume
resuscitation and hemorrhage control, which vasopressor is commonly used
to support blood pressure?
,A. Dopamine
B. Phenylephrine
C. Norepinephrine
D. Isoproterenol
Answer: C. Norepinephrine
Rationale: Norepinephrine is commonly used when vasopressor support is
necessary because it provides predominantly alpha-adrenergic vasoconstriction
with some beta-adrenergic cardiac support.
3. Why are vasopressors generally not considered first-line treatment for
uncontrolled hemorrhagic shock?
A. They always cause hypothermia
B. They may mask ongoing blood loss and worsen tissue perfusion
C. They permanently eliminate vascular tone
D. They immediately cause pulmonary edema in all patients
Answer: B. They may mask ongoing blood loss and worsen tissue perfusion
Rationale: Vasopressors can increase vascular tone and temporarily improve
blood pressure without correcting the underlying loss of circulating volume. This
may delay recognition or treatment of ongoing hemorrhage.
4. Which traumatic condition may particularly require vasopressor support
after appropriate volume resuscitation?
A. Neurogenic shock
B. Simple extremity contusion
C. Minor superficial abrasion
D. Isolated uncomplicated rib fracture
Answer: A. Neurogenic shock
Rationale: Neurogenic shock can cause loss of sympathetic vascular tone and
vasodilation. Vasopressors may be needed after appropriate assessment and
resuscitation to maintain adequate perfusion pressure.
, 5. A patient with suspected spinal cord injury has hypotension and
bradycardia without evidence of major hemorrhage. Which shock state is
most likely?
A. Cardiogenic shock
B. Obstructive shock
C. Neurogenic shock
D. Hemorrhagic shock
Answer: C. Neurogenic shock
Rationale: Hypotension with relative or significant bradycardia following spinal
cord injury is characteristic of neurogenic shock due to disruption of sympathetic
pathways.
6. What is the primary purpose of vasopressor therapy in appropriately
selected trauma patients?
A. To replace blood products
B. To increase vascular tone and support perfusion pressure
C. To stop internal bleeding directly
D. To eliminate the need for surgery
Answer: B. To increase vascular tone and support perfusion pressure
Rationale: Vasopressors increase vascular tone and may support mean arterial
pressure when hypotension persists despite treatment of the underlying cause
and appropriate resuscitation.
7. Which parameter is commonly used to evaluate the hemodynamic effect of
vasopressor therapy?
A. Mean arterial pressure
B. Body mass index
C. Visual acuity
D. Serum calcium alone
Answer: A. Mean arterial pressure
, Rationale: Mean arterial pressure is commonly monitored as an indicator of
perfusion pressure and response to vasoactive therapy.
8. A major concern when excessive vasopressor doses are used is:
A. Improved peripheral perfusion
B. Reduced vascular resistance
C. Excessive vasoconstriction and tissue ischemia
D. Guaranteed correction of hypovolemia
Answer: C. Excessive vasoconstriction and tissue ischemia
Rationale: Excessive vasoconstriction can reduce blood flow to peripheral tissues
and organs, increasing the risk of ischemic complications.
9. Which action should occur simultaneously with vasopressor support in a
trauma patient with persistent shock?
A. Investigation and treatment of the underlying cause
B. Discontinuation of all monitoring
C. Permanent restriction of blood products
D. Delayed reassessment
Answer: A. Investigation and treatment of the underlying cause
Rationale: Vasopressors are supportive therapy. The underlying cause of shock,
such as hemorrhage, spinal injury, cardiac dysfunction, or obstructive pathology,
must be identified and treated.
10.In uncontrolled hemorrhagic shock, aggressive vasopressor use may be
harmful primarily because it can:
A. Replace the need for surgery
B. Increase bleeding or impair microcirculatory perfusion
C. Guarantee normal tissue oxygenation
D. Eliminate the need for transfusion
Answer: B. Increase bleeding or impair microcirculatory perfusion
ATLS Vasopressor Use in Trauma
Practice Test Questions And Correct
Answers (Verified Answers) Plus
Rationales 2026 Q&A Instant Download
___________________________________________________________________
1. A trauma patient arrives with hypotension after a penetrating abdominal
injury. What is the priority before initiating vasopressor therapy?
A. Start a high-dose vasopressor infusion
B. Control hemorrhage and restore circulating volume
C. Administer a diuretic
D. Restrict all fluids
Answer: B. Control hemorrhage and restore circulating volume
Rationale: In hemorrhagic shock, the primary priorities are hemorrhage control,
appropriate resuscitation, and restoration of perfusion. Vasopressors should not
replace definitive treatment of ongoing blood loss.
2. In a trauma patient with persistent hypotension after adequate volume
resuscitation and hemorrhage control, which vasopressor is commonly used
to support blood pressure?
,A. Dopamine
B. Phenylephrine
C. Norepinephrine
D. Isoproterenol
Answer: C. Norepinephrine
Rationale: Norepinephrine is commonly used when vasopressor support is
necessary because it provides predominantly alpha-adrenergic vasoconstriction
with some beta-adrenergic cardiac support.
3. Why are vasopressors generally not considered first-line treatment for
uncontrolled hemorrhagic shock?
A. They always cause hypothermia
B. They may mask ongoing blood loss and worsen tissue perfusion
C. They permanently eliminate vascular tone
D. They immediately cause pulmonary edema in all patients
Answer: B. They may mask ongoing blood loss and worsen tissue perfusion
Rationale: Vasopressors can increase vascular tone and temporarily improve
blood pressure without correcting the underlying loss of circulating volume. This
may delay recognition or treatment of ongoing hemorrhage.
4. Which traumatic condition may particularly require vasopressor support
after appropriate volume resuscitation?
A. Neurogenic shock
B. Simple extremity contusion
C. Minor superficial abrasion
D. Isolated uncomplicated rib fracture
Answer: A. Neurogenic shock
Rationale: Neurogenic shock can cause loss of sympathetic vascular tone and
vasodilation. Vasopressors may be needed after appropriate assessment and
resuscitation to maintain adequate perfusion pressure.
, 5. A patient with suspected spinal cord injury has hypotension and
bradycardia without evidence of major hemorrhage. Which shock state is
most likely?
A. Cardiogenic shock
B. Obstructive shock
C. Neurogenic shock
D. Hemorrhagic shock
Answer: C. Neurogenic shock
Rationale: Hypotension with relative or significant bradycardia following spinal
cord injury is characteristic of neurogenic shock due to disruption of sympathetic
pathways.
6. What is the primary purpose of vasopressor therapy in appropriately
selected trauma patients?
A. To replace blood products
B. To increase vascular tone and support perfusion pressure
C. To stop internal bleeding directly
D. To eliminate the need for surgery
Answer: B. To increase vascular tone and support perfusion pressure
Rationale: Vasopressors increase vascular tone and may support mean arterial
pressure when hypotension persists despite treatment of the underlying cause
and appropriate resuscitation.
7. Which parameter is commonly used to evaluate the hemodynamic effect of
vasopressor therapy?
A. Mean arterial pressure
B. Body mass index
C. Visual acuity
D. Serum calcium alone
Answer: A. Mean arterial pressure
, Rationale: Mean arterial pressure is commonly monitored as an indicator of
perfusion pressure and response to vasoactive therapy.
8. A major concern when excessive vasopressor doses are used is:
A. Improved peripheral perfusion
B. Reduced vascular resistance
C. Excessive vasoconstriction and tissue ischemia
D. Guaranteed correction of hypovolemia
Answer: C. Excessive vasoconstriction and tissue ischemia
Rationale: Excessive vasoconstriction can reduce blood flow to peripheral tissues
and organs, increasing the risk of ischemic complications.
9. Which action should occur simultaneously with vasopressor support in a
trauma patient with persistent shock?
A. Investigation and treatment of the underlying cause
B. Discontinuation of all monitoring
C. Permanent restriction of blood products
D. Delayed reassessment
Answer: A. Investigation and treatment of the underlying cause
Rationale: Vasopressors are supportive therapy. The underlying cause of shock,
such as hemorrhage, spinal injury, cardiac dysfunction, or obstructive pathology,
must be identified and treated.
10.In uncontrolled hemorrhagic shock, aggressive vasopressor use may be
harmful primarily because it can:
A. Replace the need for surgery
B. Increase bleeding or impair microcirculatory perfusion
C. Guarantee normal tissue oxygenation
D. Eliminate the need for transfusion
Answer: B. Increase bleeding or impair microcirculatory perfusion
