ATLS Module Comprehensive Final Exam Review 2026 |
High-Yield Study Guide
1. In a trauma scenario where a patient presents with severe facial injuries and
signs of airway obstruction, what would be the most appropriate next step if
you suspect edema of the glottis?
Perform a surgical airway procedure.
Administer oxygen via a non-rebreather mask.
Attempt to intubate the patient orally.
Place a nasopharyngeal airway.
2. A patient presents with signs of Class III shock. What immediate intervention
should be prioritized to address the decreased systolic blood pressure?
Administering vasopressors
Monitoring vital signs only
Fluid resuscitation
Performing a surgical intervention
3. Why is suctioning the oropharynx critical in the management of a gurgling
patient?
Suctioning helps to assess the patient's blood pressure.
Suctioning the oropharynx clears secretions that may obstruct the
airway and improve ventilation.
Suctioning is only needed if the patient is unconscious.
Suctioning is unnecessary if the patient is breathing.
,4. Pulse oximetry measures which of the following in peripheral tissues?
partial pressure of carbon dioxide
hemoglobin oxygen saturation
hemoglobin carbon dioxide saturation
partial pressure of oxygen
5. If during your primary assessment, you note blood or secretions in the mouth
and the patient is gurgling, what should you do next?
Proceed on to the evaluation of the patient's breathing.
Immediately suction the airway and clear any secretions.
Do an abdominal thrust to clear the secretions.
Proceed on to the evaluation of the patient's circulation.
6. The nurse assesses a patient who suffered chest trauma after a motor vehicle
accident and finds that the left chest has a paradoxical motion with breathing.
The nurse correlates this assessment finding with which condition?
A simple rib fracture
Emphysema
Flail chest
Pulmonary edema
7. Describe why decompressive craniotomy is not considered an appropriate
initial intervention in cases of diffuse intracranial hemorrhage and impending
uncal herniation.
Decompressive craniotomy is indicated for all types of head injuries.
, Decompressive craniotomy is always the first step in managing
intracranial hemorrhage.
Decompressive craniotomy is used to administer medications directly
to the brain.
Decompressive craniotomy is not an appropriate initial intervention
because it is a surgical procedure that is typically reserved for cases
where medical management fails to control intracranial pressure.
8. What is one critical piece of information that prehospital providers must
communicate to the receiving hospital during a trauma situation?
current medications
family contact information
events associated with injury
patient's medical history
9. Which of the following should be used to open the airway of a pt who you
are holding c-spine precaution on?
jaw thrust manuever
head tilt / chin lift
Neither, you should not touch the head after holding c-spine
10. What is the primary intervention indicated for a patient with a stab wound to
the abdomen and signs of shock?
Activation of the massive transfusion protocol
IV infusion of hypertonic saline
IV infusion of 2 liters of warmed Ringer's solution
Transfer to the operating room
, 11. What Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) score is needed for intubation in a severe
patient?
GCS >/= 8
GCS </= 9
GCS </= 10
GCS </= 8
GCS </= 5
12. In a trauma scenario, if a patient presents with low oxygen saturation and
signs of respiratory distress, what immediate intervention should be
prioritized if a tracheobronchial tree injury is suspected?
Monitor vital signs and wait for further assessment.
Administer intravenous fluids to manage shock.
Perform a chest tube insertion to relieve pressure.
Secure the airway and provide adequate ventilation.
13. Earliest measurable circulatory sign of shock
Hypotension
Tachycardia
Tachypnea
Decreased pulse pressure
14. Why is immediate transfer to the operating room considered the best
therapy for a patient with a stab wound and low blood pressure?
Monitoring vital signs is the only necessary intervention.
High-Yield Study Guide
1. In a trauma scenario where a patient presents with severe facial injuries and
signs of airway obstruction, what would be the most appropriate next step if
you suspect edema of the glottis?
Perform a surgical airway procedure.
Administer oxygen via a non-rebreather mask.
Attempt to intubate the patient orally.
Place a nasopharyngeal airway.
2. A patient presents with signs of Class III shock. What immediate intervention
should be prioritized to address the decreased systolic blood pressure?
Administering vasopressors
Monitoring vital signs only
Fluid resuscitation
Performing a surgical intervention
3. Why is suctioning the oropharynx critical in the management of a gurgling
patient?
Suctioning helps to assess the patient's blood pressure.
Suctioning the oropharynx clears secretions that may obstruct the
airway and improve ventilation.
Suctioning is only needed if the patient is unconscious.
Suctioning is unnecessary if the patient is breathing.
,4. Pulse oximetry measures which of the following in peripheral tissues?
partial pressure of carbon dioxide
hemoglobin oxygen saturation
hemoglobin carbon dioxide saturation
partial pressure of oxygen
5. If during your primary assessment, you note blood or secretions in the mouth
and the patient is gurgling, what should you do next?
Proceed on to the evaluation of the patient's breathing.
Immediately suction the airway and clear any secretions.
Do an abdominal thrust to clear the secretions.
Proceed on to the evaluation of the patient's circulation.
6. The nurse assesses a patient who suffered chest trauma after a motor vehicle
accident and finds that the left chest has a paradoxical motion with breathing.
The nurse correlates this assessment finding with which condition?
A simple rib fracture
Emphysema
Flail chest
Pulmonary edema
7. Describe why decompressive craniotomy is not considered an appropriate
initial intervention in cases of diffuse intracranial hemorrhage and impending
uncal herniation.
Decompressive craniotomy is indicated for all types of head injuries.
, Decompressive craniotomy is always the first step in managing
intracranial hemorrhage.
Decompressive craniotomy is used to administer medications directly
to the brain.
Decompressive craniotomy is not an appropriate initial intervention
because it is a surgical procedure that is typically reserved for cases
where medical management fails to control intracranial pressure.
8. What is one critical piece of information that prehospital providers must
communicate to the receiving hospital during a trauma situation?
current medications
family contact information
events associated with injury
patient's medical history
9. Which of the following should be used to open the airway of a pt who you
are holding c-spine precaution on?
jaw thrust manuever
head tilt / chin lift
Neither, you should not touch the head after holding c-spine
10. What is the primary intervention indicated for a patient with a stab wound to
the abdomen and signs of shock?
Activation of the massive transfusion protocol
IV infusion of hypertonic saline
IV infusion of 2 liters of warmed Ringer's solution
Transfer to the operating room
, 11. What Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) score is needed for intubation in a severe
patient?
GCS >/= 8
GCS </= 9
GCS </= 10
GCS </= 8
GCS </= 5
12. In a trauma scenario, if a patient presents with low oxygen saturation and
signs of respiratory distress, what immediate intervention should be
prioritized if a tracheobronchial tree injury is suspected?
Monitor vital signs and wait for further assessment.
Administer intravenous fluids to manage shock.
Perform a chest tube insertion to relieve pressure.
Secure the airway and provide adequate ventilation.
13. Earliest measurable circulatory sign of shock
Hypotension
Tachycardia
Tachypnea
Decreased pulse pressure
14. Why is immediate transfer to the operating room considered the best
therapy for a patient with a stab wound and low blood pressure?
Monitoring vital signs is the only necessary intervention.
