1|Page
ATLS 10th Edition Post Test 2026 UPDATE (NEW UPDATED VERSION) LATEST
ACTUAL EXAM QUESTIONS AND CORRECT ANSWERS (VERIFIED QUESTIONS AND
ANSWERS)- GUARANTEED PASS A+ UPDATED
ATLS 10th Edition
Primary Survey & Resuscitation
Q1: In the ATLS primary survey, what does “A” stand for?
A: Airway maintenance with cervical spine control
Rationale: Always secure a patent airway while protecting the cervical spine in trauma patients.
Q2: What is the next step after airway in the ATLS primary survey?
A: Breathing
Rationale: After airway, assess breathing to ensure adequate ventilation and oxygenation.
Q3: What maneuver is used to open the airway if a cervical spine injury is suspected?
A: Jaw thrust
Rationale: Jaw thrust minimizes cervical spine movement compared to head tilt–chin lift.
Q4: What is the “C” in the primary survey?
A: Circulation with hemorrhage control
Rationale: Assess pulse, control bleeding, and support circulation.
Q5: Which sign indicates tension pneumothorax?
A: Tracheal deviation away from the affected side
Rationale: Air trapped in pleural space pushes mediastinum, compromising venous return.
Breathing & Ventilation
Q6: Needle decompression for tension pneumothorax is performed in which intercostal space?
A: Second intercostal space, mid-clavicular line
Rationale: This site provides rapid access to relieve trapped air.
Q7: What breath sound finding suggests a massive hemothorax?
A: Dullness to percussion on the affected side
Rationale: Blood in the pleural space dulls sound.
practice exam 2026
,2|Page
Q8: A motorcycle crash victim with flail chest likely has:
A: Paradoxical chest wall movement
Rationale: Segment of chest wall moves inward on inspiration and outward on expiration.
Circulation & Shock
Q9: The earliest clinical sign of shock is often:
A: Tachycardia
Rationale: Heart rate increases to maintain cardiac output initially.
Q10: Class III hemorrhage involves what percent of blood loss?
A: 30–40%
Rationale: ATLS categorizes based on physiologic response and blood volume lost.
Q11: First fluid choice for initial resuscitation in traumatic hypovolemia is:
A: Isotonic crystalloid (e.g., normal saline or lactated Ringer’s)
Rationale: Provides volume expansion rapidly.
Disability (Neurologic Status)
Q12: What scale is used to assess neurologic status?
A: Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS)
Rationale: Measures eye, verbal, and motor responses.
Q13: A GCS of 8 or less indicates:
A: Severe head injury and need for airway protection
Rationale: Typically warrants endotracheal intubation.
Exposure & Environment
Q14: Why should the trauma patient be fully exposed?
A: To identify all injuries
Rationale: Hidden injuries can be missed if not exposed.
Q15: What should you do to prevent hypothermia during exposure?
A: Use warm blankets and warmed fluids
Rationale: Hypothermia worsens coagulopathy and shock.
practice exam 2026
,3|Page
Adjuncts & Monitoring
Q16: What is the FAST exam used for?
A: Detect free fluid (blood) in the abdomen and pericardium
Rationale: Rapid, non-invasive screening tool in trauma.
Q17: What is the purpose of a chest X-ray in ATLS primary survey?
A: Identify life-threatening thoracic injuries
Rationale: Detect pneumothorax, hemothorax, mediastinal widening, etc.
Secondary Survey
Q18: The secondary survey begins after:
A: The primary survey and resuscitation are complete/stable
Rationale: Once life-threatening issues are addressed, full head-to-toe exam is done.
Q19: What does the acronym SAMPLE stand for?
A: Signs/Symptoms, Allergies, Medications, Past medical history, Last meal, Events
Rationale: Helps gather pertinent patient history in trauma.
Head Injury
Q20: A fixed and dilated pupil in head trauma suggests:
A: Uncal herniation
Rationale: Indicates increased intracranial pressure and brainstem compression.
Q21: What imaging is indicated for suspected intracranial hemorrhage?
A: Head CT scan
Rationale: Rapidly identifies bleeding and structural injury.
Chest Trauma
Q22: Beck’s triad (hypotension, muffled heart sounds, JVD) is consistent with:
A: Cardiac tamponade
Rationale: Fluid accumulation in pericardial sac compresses heart.
Q23: What chest injury might require emergent thoracotomy?
A: Massive hemothorax
Rationale: Large blood loss requires control and evacuation.
practice exam 2026
, 4|Page
Abdominal Trauma
Q24: Peritonitis in blunt abdominal trauma suggests:
A: Hollow organ injury
Rationale: Leakage of contents into peritoneal cavity causes irritation.
Q25: The most sensitive FAST view for pericardial fluid is:
A: Subxiphoid view
Rationale: Best window for visualizing pericardial fluid.
Pelvic & Extremity Trauma
Q26: What is a major concern with pelvic fractures?
A: Massive hemorrhage
Rationale: Pelvis is highly vascular; fractures can bleed significantly.
Q27: Compartment syndrome is characterized by:
A: Pain out of proportion and tense compartment
Rationale: Increased pressure compromises circulation and nerves.
Spinal Injury
Q28: All trauma patients should be assumed to have:
A: Cervical spine injury until cleared
Rationale: Prevents secondary neurologic damage.
Q29: What is the best initial method to immobilize the cervical spine?
A: Hard cervical collar
Rationale: Provides temporary stabilization.
Pediatric Trauma
Q30: What is a key difference in pediatric airway anatomy?
A: Larger occiput
Rationale: Flexes neck; may require padding under shoulders to align airway.
Q31: Pediatric shock is often first seen as:
A: Tachycardia
Rationale: Children maintain blood pressure until late shock.
practice exam 2026
ATLS 10th Edition Post Test 2026 UPDATE (NEW UPDATED VERSION) LATEST
ACTUAL EXAM QUESTIONS AND CORRECT ANSWERS (VERIFIED QUESTIONS AND
ANSWERS)- GUARANTEED PASS A+ UPDATED
ATLS 10th Edition
Primary Survey & Resuscitation
Q1: In the ATLS primary survey, what does “A” stand for?
A: Airway maintenance with cervical spine control
Rationale: Always secure a patent airway while protecting the cervical spine in trauma patients.
Q2: What is the next step after airway in the ATLS primary survey?
A: Breathing
Rationale: After airway, assess breathing to ensure adequate ventilation and oxygenation.
Q3: What maneuver is used to open the airway if a cervical spine injury is suspected?
A: Jaw thrust
Rationale: Jaw thrust minimizes cervical spine movement compared to head tilt–chin lift.
Q4: What is the “C” in the primary survey?
A: Circulation with hemorrhage control
Rationale: Assess pulse, control bleeding, and support circulation.
Q5: Which sign indicates tension pneumothorax?
A: Tracheal deviation away from the affected side
Rationale: Air trapped in pleural space pushes mediastinum, compromising venous return.
Breathing & Ventilation
Q6: Needle decompression for tension pneumothorax is performed in which intercostal space?
A: Second intercostal space, mid-clavicular line
Rationale: This site provides rapid access to relieve trapped air.
Q7: What breath sound finding suggests a massive hemothorax?
A: Dullness to percussion on the affected side
Rationale: Blood in the pleural space dulls sound.
practice exam 2026
,2|Page
Q8: A motorcycle crash victim with flail chest likely has:
A: Paradoxical chest wall movement
Rationale: Segment of chest wall moves inward on inspiration and outward on expiration.
Circulation & Shock
Q9: The earliest clinical sign of shock is often:
A: Tachycardia
Rationale: Heart rate increases to maintain cardiac output initially.
Q10: Class III hemorrhage involves what percent of blood loss?
A: 30–40%
Rationale: ATLS categorizes based on physiologic response and blood volume lost.
Q11: First fluid choice for initial resuscitation in traumatic hypovolemia is:
A: Isotonic crystalloid (e.g., normal saline or lactated Ringer’s)
Rationale: Provides volume expansion rapidly.
Disability (Neurologic Status)
Q12: What scale is used to assess neurologic status?
A: Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS)
Rationale: Measures eye, verbal, and motor responses.
Q13: A GCS of 8 or less indicates:
A: Severe head injury and need for airway protection
Rationale: Typically warrants endotracheal intubation.
Exposure & Environment
Q14: Why should the trauma patient be fully exposed?
A: To identify all injuries
Rationale: Hidden injuries can be missed if not exposed.
Q15: What should you do to prevent hypothermia during exposure?
A: Use warm blankets and warmed fluids
Rationale: Hypothermia worsens coagulopathy and shock.
practice exam 2026
,3|Page
Adjuncts & Monitoring
Q16: What is the FAST exam used for?
A: Detect free fluid (blood) in the abdomen and pericardium
Rationale: Rapid, non-invasive screening tool in trauma.
Q17: What is the purpose of a chest X-ray in ATLS primary survey?
A: Identify life-threatening thoracic injuries
Rationale: Detect pneumothorax, hemothorax, mediastinal widening, etc.
Secondary Survey
Q18: The secondary survey begins after:
A: The primary survey and resuscitation are complete/stable
Rationale: Once life-threatening issues are addressed, full head-to-toe exam is done.
Q19: What does the acronym SAMPLE stand for?
A: Signs/Symptoms, Allergies, Medications, Past medical history, Last meal, Events
Rationale: Helps gather pertinent patient history in trauma.
Head Injury
Q20: A fixed and dilated pupil in head trauma suggests:
A: Uncal herniation
Rationale: Indicates increased intracranial pressure and brainstem compression.
Q21: What imaging is indicated for suspected intracranial hemorrhage?
A: Head CT scan
Rationale: Rapidly identifies bleeding and structural injury.
Chest Trauma
Q22: Beck’s triad (hypotension, muffled heart sounds, JVD) is consistent with:
A: Cardiac tamponade
Rationale: Fluid accumulation in pericardial sac compresses heart.
Q23: What chest injury might require emergent thoracotomy?
A: Massive hemothorax
Rationale: Large blood loss requires control and evacuation.
practice exam 2026
, 4|Page
Abdominal Trauma
Q24: Peritonitis in blunt abdominal trauma suggests:
A: Hollow organ injury
Rationale: Leakage of contents into peritoneal cavity causes irritation.
Q25: The most sensitive FAST view for pericardial fluid is:
A: Subxiphoid view
Rationale: Best window for visualizing pericardial fluid.
Pelvic & Extremity Trauma
Q26: What is a major concern with pelvic fractures?
A: Massive hemorrhage
Rationale: Pelvis is highly vascular; fractures can bleed significantly.
Q27: Compartment syndrome is characterized by:
A: Pain out of proportion and tense compartment
Rationale: Increased pressure compromises circulation and nerves.
Spinal Injury
Q28: All trauma patients should be assumed to have:
A: Cervical spine injury until cleared
Rationale: Prevents secondary neurologic damage.
Q29: What is the best initial method to immobilize the cervical spine?
A: Hard cervical collar
Rationale: Provides temporary stabilization.
Pediatric Trauma
Q30: What is a key difference in pediatric airway anatomy?
A: Larger occiput
Rationale: Flexes neck; may require padding under shoulders to align airway.
Q31: Pediatric shock is often first seen as:
A: Tachycardia
Rationale: Children maintain blood pressure until late shock.
practice exam 2026
