ATLS POST TEST ASSESSMENT
QUESTIONS WITH VERIFIED ANSWERS
1. What is the primary goal of the primary survey in ATLS?
A. To obtain a detailed medical history
B. To apply long bone splints
C. To perform a complete neurological examination
D. To identify and treat life-threatening conditions immediately
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: The primary survey focuses on identifying and treating
immediate life-threatening conditions using the ABCDE approach.
2. Which of the following is the first step in the management of a trauma patient’s airway?
A. Perform a surgical cricothyroidotomy
B. Insert a definitive airway immediately
C. Administer high-flow nasal cannula oxygen
D. Assess for airway patency and look for obstruction
Answer: D
,Conceptual Explanation: Assessing patency and looking for signs of obstruction
(speaking, foreign bodies, trauma) is always the first step in airway management.
3. Which sign is most indicative of a tension pneumothorax?
A. Bilateral equal breath sounds
B. Tracheal deviation, absent breath sounds, and hemodynamic instability
C. Bradypnea and hypertension
D. Muffled heart sounds and normal blood pressure
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: Tension pneumothorax presents with respiratory distress,
tracheal deviation away from the affected side, absent breath sounds, and shock.
4. What is the initial fluid resuscitation bolus for an adult trauma patient in hemorrhagic
shock?
A. 1000 mL of 5% Dextrose in Water
B. No intravenous fluids should be given pre-hospital
C. 500 mL of colloidal solution
D. 1 to 2 liters of warmed isotonic crystalloid solution
Answer: D
, Conceptual Explanation: Initial fluid resuscitation typically begins with a cautious bolus
of 1 to 2 liters of warmed isotonic crystalloid solution, transitioning early to blood
products.
5. Beck’s triad is classic for which of the following conditions?
A. Tension pneumothorax
B. Cardiac tamponade
C. Flail chest
D. Massive hemothorax
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: Beck’s triad consists of elevated venous pressure (distended
neck veins), decreased arterial pressure (hypotension), and muffled heart sounds,
characteristic of cardiac tamponade.
6. What defines a flail chest?
A. Fracture of a single rib in two places
B. Sternal fracture associated with myocardial contusion
C. Air in the pleural space causing lung collapse
D. Fractures of three or more contiguous ribs in two or more places
Answer: D
QUESTIONS WITH VERIFIED ANSWERS
1. What is the primary goal of the primary survey in ATLS?
A. To obtain a detailed medical history
B. To apply long bone splints
C. To perform a complete neurological examination
D. To identify and treat life-threatening conditions immediately
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: The primary survey focuses on identifying and treating
immediate life-threatening conditions using the ABCDE approach.
2. Which of the following is the first step in the management of a trauma patient’s airway?
A. Perform a surgical cricothyroidotomy
B. Insert a definitive airway immediately
C. Administer high-flow nasal cannula oxygen
D. Assess for airway patency and look for obstruction
Answer: D
,Conceptual Explanation: Assessing patency and looking for signs of obstruction
(speaking, foreign bodies, trauma) is always the first step in airway management.
3. Which sign is most indicative of a tension pneumothorax?
A. Bilateral equal breath sounds
B. Tracheal deviation, absent breath sounds, and hemodynamic instability
C. Bradypnea and hypertension
D. Muffled heart sounds and normal blood pressure
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: Tension pneumothorax presents with respiratory distress,
tracheal deviation away from the affected side, absent breath sounds, and shock.
4. What is the initial fluid resuscitation bolus for an adult trauma patient in hemorrhagic
shock?
A. 1000 mL of 5% Dextrose in Water
B. No intravenous fluids should be given pre-hospital
C. 500 mL of colloidal solution
D. 1 to 2 liters of warmed isotonic crystalloid solution
Answer: D
, Conceptual Explanation: Initial fluid resuscitation typically begins with a cautious bolus
of 1 to 2 liters of warmed isotonic crystalloid solution, transitioning early to blood
products.
5. Beck’s triad is classic for which of the following conditions?
A. Tension pneumothorax
B. Cardiac tamponade
C. Flail chest
D. Massive hemothorax
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: Beck’s triad consists of elevated venous pressure (distended
neck veins), decreased arterial pressure (hypotension), and muffled heart sounds,
characteristic of cardiac tamponade.
6. What defines a flail chest?
A. Fracture of a single rib in two places
B. Sternal fracture associated with myocardial contusion
C. Air in the pleural space causing lung collapse
D. Fractures of three or more contiguous ribs in two or more places
Answer: D
