ATLS PRACTICE EXAM QUESTIONS AND CORRECT
ANSWERS (VERIFIED ANSWERS) PLUS RATIONALES
2025/2026 Q&A | INSTANT DOWNLOAD PDF
Assessed first in trauma patient - correct answer-Airway
(*)Degree of burn that is characterized by bone involvement - correct answer-Fourth
Complications of head trauma - correct answer-Intracerebral hematoma
Extradural hematoma
Brain abscess
Most common cause of laryngotracheal stenosis - correct answer-Trauma
Intervention that can help prevent development of acute renal failure - correct answer-
Infusion of normal saline
A 26-year-
old male is resuscitated with bloodStransfusion after a motor vehicle collision that was complicated by a fr
actured pelvis. A few hours later, theSpatient becomes febrile, hypotensive with a normal CVP, and oliguri
c. Upon examination, the patient is found to be bleeding from the NG tube and IV sites. Which of the foll
owing is the most likely diagnosis?
A. Hemorrhagic shock
B. Acute adrenal insufficiency
C. Fat embolism syndrome
D. Transfusion reaction - correct answer-D. Transfusion reaction
Skin antiseptic - correct answer--Ethanol 70% is an effective skin antiseptic
-Acetic acid can be used to treat Gram- skin infections
-Salicylic acid is used to treat certain skin yeast infections
Class IV hemorrhage indicates what % blood loss - correct answer-55%
How does shivering affect body temperature - correct answer-Increases body temperature
,Class III hemorrhage indicates what % of blood loss - correct answer-35%
Management of a stable patient with kidney contusion - correct answer-Observation
Associated with hypovolemic shock - correct answer--
Inadequate tissue perfusion with resultant tissue hypoxia
-Blood shunting to vital organs
-Decreased circulating blood volume and decreased venous return
-Low cardiac output
-Loss of less than 20% of the blood volume is usually without symptom except for mild tachycardia
-Patients become orthostatic with losses between 20 and 40%
-Shock is evidenced by tachycardia, hypotension, oliguria, flat neck veins
The most effective method of monitoring the success of resuscitation during CPR? - correct answer-
Reactivity of pupils to light
Used to ensure correct placement of endotracheal tube - correct answer--Ultrasound
-Bilateral breath sounds
-Sustained end-tidal CO2
Total body surface area involved in a burn in an adult to the anterior chest and abdomen - correct answer-
18%
What is oftenScaused by carotidSmassage? - correct answer-Bradycardia
Step in a patient diagnosed with tension pneumothorax - correct answer-
1. Needle decompression/ thoracotomy
2. Chest tube
True statements regarding diaphragmatic injuries - correct answer--
Blunt diaphragmatic injuries are usually associated with skeletal trauma
,-Penetrating diaphragmatic injuries may be missed
-Repair of traumatic diaphragmatic injuries usually does not require prosthetic material
First priority in the treatment of an unconscious patient - correct answer-CheckingSthe pulse
A patient involved in a road accident is brought to the emergency department in an unconscious state. On
arrival, herSvitals show a temperature of 96.4 degrees Fahrenheit, a respiration rate of 24 breaths per minu
te, a heart rate of 140 beats per minute, and aSblood pressure of 80/40 mm Hg. She is cold, shivering, andS
perspiring profusely. SheShas bilateral reactive pupils but she does not respond to pain. On physical exami
nation, she has no obvious sign of external bleeding. Which of the following cannot be the cause of hypot
ension in this patient?
A. Pelvic fracture
B. Fracture of femur
C. Intracranial hemorrhage
D. Hemothorax - correct answer-C. Intracranial hemorrhage
A patient suffered a slash to his rightSneck. The wound is over the mid-
portion of the sternocleidomastoid. There is a large hematoma and brisk bleeding when uncovered. He is
stable. What is the next step in management?
A. GetSan angiogram
B. Close the wound in the ER
C. Take him to the operating room
D. CT scan to evaluate neck structure - correctSanswer-C. Take him to the OR
After abdominal injury, which of the following urinalysis findings would be an indication for further testi
ng?
A. 0-5 casts/HPF
B. 5-10 WBC/HPF
C. 10-20 RBC/HPF
D. Gross hematuria - correct answer-D. Gross hematuria
A laceration of the neck superficial to the deep cervical fascia along the sternocleidomastoid muscle at its
midpoint would cause bleeding from which structure? - correct answer-External jugular vein
, Clinical features associatedSwith tensionSpneumothorax - correct answer-
Unilateral decrease in breath sounds
Hyperresonance
Respiratory distress
Tachycardia
Tracheal shift
Desatruation
Decreased breath sounds
Decreased compliance
Asymmetric chest movement
NOT hypertension, audible bronchial sounds
Not recommended as a mode of ventilation for a patient with aSdiaphragmatic hernia
A. Bag and mask
B. LMA
C. Endotracheal intubation
D. Jet ventilation - correct answer-A. Bag and mask
What is the next step in the assessment of a traumatic patient after airway is established? - correct answer-
Breathing
Blood group that is considered a universal donor - correct answer-O
A provider is examiningSa patient who sustained a severe traumatic head injury. He documents no Doll's e
yes. What does this signify? - correct answer-Brainstem injury
WhichSof the following is the least preferred methodSof administering IV fluids?
A. Cubital veins
B. Cephalic veins
ANSWERS (VERIFIED ANSWERS) PLUS RATIONALES
2025/2026 Q&A | INSTANT DOWNLOAD PDF
Assessed first in trauma patient - correct answer-Airway
(*)Degree of burn that is characterized by bone involvement - correct answer-Fourth
Complications of head trauma - correct answer-Intracerebral hematoma
Extradural hematoma
Brain abscess
Most common cause of laryngotracheal stenosis - correct answer-Trauma
Intervention that can help prevent development of acute renal failure - correct answer-
Infusion of normal saline
A 26-year-
old male is resuscitated with bloodStransfusion after a motor vehicle collision that was complicated by a fr
actured pelvis. A few hours later, theSpatient becomes febrile, hypotensive with a normal CVP, and oliguri
c. Upon examination, the patient is found to be bleeding from the NG tube and IV sites. Which of the foll
owing is the most likely diagnosis?
A. Hemorrhagic shock
B. Acute adrenal insufficiency
C. Fat embolism syndrome
D. Transfusion reaction - correct answer-D. Transfusion reaction
Skin antiseptic - correct answer--Ethanol 70% is an effective skin antiseptic
-Acetic acid can be used to treat Gram- skin infections
-Salicylic acid is used to treat certain skin yeast infections
Class IV hemorrhage indicates what % blood loss - correct answer-55%
How does shivering affect body temperature - correct answer-Increases body temperature
,Class III hemorrhage indicates what % of blood loss - correct answer-35%
Management of a stable patient with kidney contusion - correct answer-Observation
Associated with hypovolemic shock - correct answer--
Inadequate tissue perfusion with resultant tissue hypoxia
-Blood shunting to vital organs
-Decreased circulating blood volume and decreased venous return
-Low cardiac output
-Loss of less than 20% of the blood volume is usually without symptom except for mild tachycardia
-Patients become orthostatic with losses between 20 and 40%
-Shock is evidenced by tachycardia, hypotension, oliguria, flat neck veins
The most effective method of monitoring the success of resuscitation during CPR? - correct answer-
Reactivity of pupils to light
Used to ensure correct placement of endotracheal tube - correct answer--Ultrasound
-Bilateral breath sounds
-Sustained end-tidal CO2
Total body surface area involved in a burn in an adult to the anterior chest and abdomen - correct answer-
18%
What is oftenScaused by carotidSmassage? - correct answer-Bradycardia
Step in a patient diagnosed with tension pneumothorax - correct answer-
1. Needle decompression/ thoracotomy
2. Chest tube
True statements regarding diaphragmatic injuries - correct answer--
Blunt diaphragmatic injuries are usually associated with skeletal trauma
,-Penetrating diaphragmatic injuries may be missed
-Repair of traumatic diaphragmatic injuries usually does not require prosthetic material
First priority in the treatment of an unconscious patient - correct answer-CheckingSthe pulse
A patient involved in a road accident is brought to the emergency department in an unconscious state. On
arrival, herSvitals show a temperature of 96.4 degrees Fahrenheit, a respiration rate of 24 breaths per minu
te, a heart rate of 140 beats per minute, and aSblood pressure of 80/40 mm Hg. She is cold, shivering, andS
perspiring profusely. SheShas bilateral reactive pupils but she does not respond to pain. On physical exami
nation, she has no obvious sign of external bleeding. Which of the following cannot be the cause of hypot
ension in this patient?
A. Pelvic fracture
B. Fracture of femur
C. Intracranial hemorrhage
D. Hemothorax - correct answer-C. Intracranial hemorrhage
A patient suffered a slash to his rightSneck. The wound is over the mid-
portion of the sternocleidomastoid. There is a large hematoma and brisk bleeding when uncovered. He is
stable. What is the next step in management?
A. GetSan angiogram
B. Close the wound in the ER
C. Take him to the operating room
D. CT scan to evaluate neck structure - correctSanswer-C. Take him to the OR
After abdominal injury, which of the following urinalysis findings would be an indication for further testi
ng?
A. 0-5 casts/HPF
B. 5-10 WBC/HPF
C. 10-20 RBC/HPF
D. Gross hematuria - correct answer-D. Gross hematuria
A laceration of the neck superficial to the deep cervical fascia along the sternocleidomastoid muscle at its
midpoint would cause bleeding from which structure? - correct answer-External jugular vein
, Clinical features associatedSwith tensionSpneumothorax - correct answer-
Unilateral decrease in breath sounds
Hyperresonance
Respiratory distress
Tachycardia
Tracheal shift
Desatruation
Decreased breath sounds
Decreased compliance
Asymmetric chest movement
NOT hypertension, audible bronchial sounds
Not recommended as a mode of ventilation for a patient with aSdiaphragmatic hernia
A. Bag and mask
B. LMA
C. Endotracheal intubation
D. Jet ventilation - correct answer-A. Bag and mask
What is the next step in the assessment of a traumatic patient after airway is established? - correct answer-
Breathing
Blood group that is considered a universal donor - correct answer-O
A provider is examiningSa patient who sustained a severe traumatic head injury. He documents no Doll's e
yes. What does this signify? - correct answer-Brainstem injury
WhichSof the following is the least preferred methodSof administering IV fluids?
A. Cubital veins
B. Cephalic veins
