ATLS
ATLS EXAM QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
True or false? Although the mechanism of injury
may be similar to those for the younger population,
data shows increased mortality with similar severity
of injury in older adults. - correct answer True
In the elderly population, what is decreased
physiological reserve? - correct answer aging is
characterized by impaired adaptive and homeostatic
mechanisms that caused an increased susceptibility
to the stress of injury. Insults tolerated by the
younger population can lead to devastating results
in elderly patients.
,ATLS
Pre-existing conditions that affect morbidity and
mortality include: - correct answer cirrhosis, coagulopathy,
COPD, ischemic heart disease, DM
What is the most common mechanism of injury in
the elderly? - correct answer Fall. Nonfatal falls are
common in women and fractures are common in
women who fall. Falls are the most common cause
of TBI.
In the elderly population, what are risk factors for
falls? - correct answer advanced age, physical impairment,
history of previous fall, medication use, dementia,
unsteady gait, and visual, cognitive impairment
Most of elderly traffic fatalities occur in the daytime
and on weekends and typically involve other
vehicles. Why? - correct answer Older people drive on
more familiar roads and at lower speeds and tend to
drive during the day. Older people have slower
,ATLS
reaction time, a larger blind spot, limited cervical
mobility, decreased hearing, and cognitive
impairment.
True or False? Mortality associated with small to
moderate sized burns in older adults remains high -
correct answer True
Spilled hot liquids on the leg, which in younger
patients may re-epithelialize due to an adequate
number of hair follicles, will result in a full thickness
burn in older patients. - correct answer this is true
Airway-patients may have dentures that may loosen
or obstruct the airway. If dentures are not
obstructing the airway, leave them in place for
what? - correct answer bag mask ventilation, as it
improves mask fitting.
, ATLS
When preforming rapid sequence intubation, the
dose of benzos, barbiturates, and other sedatives
should be reduced to what percentage to minimize
the risk of cardiovascular depression? - correct answer 20-
40%
Functional changes in cardiac system include
declining function, decreased sensitivity to
catecholamines, atherosclerosis of coronary vessels,
increased afterload, fixed heart rate (beta blockers) -
correct answer this results in lack of classic response to
hypovolemia, risk for cardiac ischemia, elevated BP
at baseline, and increased risk of dysrythmias.
Functional changes in pulmonary system include
decreased elastic recoil, reduced residual capacity,
decreased gas exchange and decreased cough reflex
- correct answer thus they are at increased risk for
respiratory failure, increased risk for pneumonia,
and poor tolerance to rib fractures
ATLS EXAM QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
True or false? Although the mechanism of injury
may be similar to those for the younger population,
data shows increased mortality with similar severity
of injury in older adults. - correct answer True
In the elderly population, what is decreased
physiological reserve? - correct answer aging is
characterized by impaired adaptive and homeostatic
mechanisms that caused an increased susceptibility
to the stress of injury. Insults tolerated by the
younger population can lead to devastating results
in elderly patients.
,ATLS
Pre-existing conditions that affect morbidity and
mortality include: - correct answer cirrhosis, coagulopathy,
COPD, ischemic heart disease, DM
What is the most common mechanism of injury in
the elderly? - correct answer Fall. Nonfatal falls are
common in women and fractures are common in
women who fall. Falls are the most common cause
of TBI.
In the elderly population, what are risk factors for
falls? - correct answer advanced age, physical impairment,
history of previous fall, medication use, dementia,
unsteady gait, and visual, cognitive impairment
Most of elderly traffic fatalities occur in the daytime
and on weekends and typically involve other
vehicles. Why? - correct answer Older people drive on
more familiar roads and at lower speeds and tend to
drive during the day. Older people have slower
,ATLS
reaction time, a larger blind spot, limited cervical
mobility, decreased hearing, and cognitive
impairment.
True or False? Mortality associated with small to
moderate sized burns in older adults remains high -
correct answer True
Spilled hot liquids on the leg, which in younger
patients may re-epithelialize due to an adequate
number of hair follicles, will result in a full thickness
burn in older patients. - correct answer this is true
Airway-patients may have dentures that may loosen
or obstruct the airway. If dentures are not
obstructing the airway, leave them in place for
what? - correct answer bag mask ventilation, as it
improves mask fitting.
, ATLS
When preforming rapid sequence intubation, the
dose of benzos, barbiturates, and other sedatives
should be reduced to what percentage to minimize
the risk of cardiovascular depression? - correct answer 20-
40%
Functional changes in cardiac system include
declining function, decreased sensitivity to
catecholamines, atherosclerosis of coronary vessels,
increased afterload, fixed heart rate (beta blockers) -
correct answer this results in lack of classic response to
hypovolemia, risk for cardiac ischemia, elevated BP
at baseline, and increased risk of dysrythmias.
Functional changes in pulmonary system include
decreased elastic recoil, reduced residual capacity,
decreased gas exchange and decreased cough reflex
- correct answer thus they are at increased risk for
respiratory failure, increased risk for pneumonia,
and poor tolerance to rib fractures
