ADVANCED TRAUMA LIFE SUPPORT (ATLS)
EXAMINATION TEST PAPER FULLY SOLVED
QUESTIONS AND VERIFIED ANSWERS UPDATED
2026.
● The "A" in ABCD stands for ______. Answer: Airway maintenance
with Cervical SPINE protection
● You should assume that any patient in a multisystem trauma with an
altered level of consciousness or blunt injury above the clavice has what
type of injury. Answer: Cervical Spine Injury
● Flail chest is invariably accompanied by _______ which can interfere
with blood oxygenation. Answer: pulmonary contusion - do NOT over
fluid resuscitate these patients.
● Hypotension is caused by ______ until proven otherwise. Answer:
hypovolemia
● When you dont have a BP what are three things to look for when
evaluating perfusion? Answer: 1. level of consciousness (brain
perfusion
,2. Skin color (ashen face/grey extremities)
3. Pulse (bilateral femoral - thready/tachy)
● Elderly patients have a limited ability to ___________ to compensate
for blood loss Answer: increase heart rate
● Resuscitation fluids should be warmed to 39 Celsius Answer: Only
for Cyrstalloids, NOT for blood
● Urinary catheters are good for assessing renal perfusion and volume
status. List 5 signs of urethral injury that might precent you from
inserting one Answer: Blood at urethral meatus, perineal ecchymosis,
blood in scrotum, high-riding/non-palpable prostate, pelvic fracture
● Which arm should you NOT put a pulse-ox on? Answer: The arm
with the BP cuff
● 2 anatomical things that can interfere Answer: Obesity and
intraluminal bowel gas
● When should radiographs be obtained? Answer: During the
Secondary survey!
● How do get an ample patient history? Answer: Allergies
,Medications
PMH/Pregnancy
Last meal
Events/Environment
● Why might you want a Bair Hugger for a patient who smells of
Alcohol? Answer: Vasodilation can lead to hypothermia
● What things are you looking for when you do a DRE in trauma
Answer: Blood, high riding prostate, sphincter tone,
● What should be done for every female patient Answer: Pregnancy test
● Adult patients should maintain UOP of at least _____mL/kg/hr. Kids
should have at least ______ mL/kg/hr Answer: Adults 0.5 mL/kg.hr
Kids 1.0 mL/kg/hr
● Preventing hypercarbia (hypercapnia) is critical in patients who have
sustained a _______ injury Answer: head
● What two places would you LOOK at a patient if you suspect
hypoxemia? Answer: Lips and fingernail beds
, ● Patients may be abusive and belligerent because of ______-, so don't
just assume its due to drugs, alcohol, or the fact they they are just
inherently a jerk Answer: hypoxia
● Can a patient breath on their own after complete cervical cord
transection Answer: Yes if the phrenic nerves (C3-C5 are spared. This
will result in 'abdominal' breathing. The intercostal muscles will be
paralyzed though
● Can you use an OPA (Guedel) in a conscious patient Answer: No, it
could make them vomit. An NPA (trumpet) would be okay.
● Bougies are typically inserted blindly, how do you know you are in the
trachea and not the esophagus? Answer: You can feel the clicks as the
distal tip rubs against the cartilaginous tracheal rings, or it will deviate
right or left when entering either bronchus (at 50 cm)
● What do yo NOT want to hear if you auscultate a patient after
placement of an ET tube? Answer: Borborygmi - rumbling or gurgling
noices suggest esophageal insertion.
● What is the RSI dose for etomidate Answer: 0.3 mg/kg (usually 20
mg)
EXAMINATION TEST PAPER FULLY SOLVED
QUESTIONS AND VERIFIED ANSWERS UPDATED
2026.
● The "A" in ABCD stands for ______. Answer: Airway maintenance
with Cervical SPINE protection
● You should assume that any patient in a multisystem trauma with an
altered level of consciousness or blunt injury above the clavice has what
type of injury. Answer: Cervical Spine Injury
● Flail chest is invariably accompanied by _______ which can interfere
with blood oxygenation. Answer: pulmonary contusion - do NOT over
fluid resuscitate these patients.
● Hypotension is caused by ______ until proven otherwise. Answer:
hypovolemia
● When you dont have a BP what are three things to look for when
evaluating perfusion? Answer: 1. level of consciousness (brain
perfusion
,2. Skin color (ashen face/grey extremities)
3. Pulse (bilateral femoral - thready/tachy)
● Elderly patients have a limited ability to ___________ to compensate
for blood loss Answer: increase heart rate
● Resuscitation fluids should be warmed to 39 Celsius Answer: Only
for Cyrstalloids, NOT for blood
● Urinary catheters are good for assessing renal perfusion and volume
status. List 5 signs of urethral injury that might precent you from
inserting one Answer: Blood at urethral meatus, perineal ecchymosis,
blood in scrotum, high-riding/non-palpable prostate, pelvic fracture
● Which arm should you NOT put a pulse-ox on? Answer: The arm
with the BP cuff
● 2 anatomical things that can interfere Answer: Obesity and
intraluminal bowel gas
● When should radiographs be obtained? Answer: During the
Secondary survey!
● How do get an ample patient history? Answer: Allergies
,Medications
PMH/Pregnancy
Last meal
Events/Environment
● Why might you want a Bair Hugger for a patient who smells of
Alcohol? Answer: Vasodilation can lead to hypothermia
● What things are you looking for when you do a DRE in trauma
Answer: Blood, high riding prostate, sphincter tone,
● What should be done for every female patient Answer: Pregnancy test
● Adult patients should maintain UOP of at least _____mL/kg/hr. Kids
should have at least ______ mL/kg/hr Answer: Adults 0.5 mL/kg.hr
Kids 1.0 mL/kg/hr
● Preventing hypercarbia (hypercapnia) is critical in patients who have
sustained a _______ injury Answer: head
● What two places would you LOOK at a patient if you suspect
hypoxemia? Answer: Lips and fingernail beds
, ● Patients may be abusive and belligerent because of ______-, so don't
just assume its due to drugs, alcohol, or the fact they they are just
inherently a jerk Answer: hypoxia
● Can a patient breath on their own after complete cervical cord
transection Answer: Yes if the phrenic nerves (C3-C5 are spared. This
will result in 'abdominal' breathing. The intercostal muscles will be
paralyzed though
● Can you use an OPA (Guedel) in a conscious patient Answer: No, it
could make them vomit. An NPA (trumpet) would be okay.
● Bougies are typically inserted blindly, how do you know you are in the
trachea and not the esophagus? Answer: You can feel the clicks as the
distal tip rubs against the cartilaginous tracheal rings, or it will deviate
right or left when entering either bronchus (at 50 cm)
● What do yo NOT want to hear if you auscultate a patient after
placement of an ET tube? Answer: Borborygmi - rumbling or gurgling
noices suggest esophageal insertion.
● What is the RSI dose for etomidate Answer: 0.3 mg/kg (usually 20
mg)
