ATLS PRACTICE EXAM PREP 2026 PRACTICE
SOLUTION STUDY GUIDE
◉ First priority in the treatment of an unconscious patient. Answer:
Checking the pulse
◉ A patient involved in a road accident is brought to the emergency
department in an unconscious state. On arrival, her vitals show a
temperature of 96.4 degrees Fahrenheit, a respiration rate of 24
breaths per minute, a heart rate of 140 beats per minute, and a
blood pressure of 80/40 mm Hg. She is cold, shivering, and
perspiring profusely. She has bilateral reactive pupils but she does
not respond to pain. On physical examination, she has no obvious
sign of external bleeding. Which of the following cannot be the cause
of hypotension in this patient?
A. Pelvic fracture
B. Fracture of femur
C. Intracranial hemorrhage
D. Hemothorax. Answer: C. Intracranial hemorrhage
◉ A patient suffered a slash to his right neck. 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. Get an angiogram
B. Close the wound in the ER
C. Take him to the operating room
D. CT scan to evaluate neck structure. Answer: C. Take him to the OR
◉ After abdominal injury, which of the following urinalysis findings
would be an indication for further testing?
A. 0-5 casts/HPF
B. 5-10 WBC/HPF
C. 10-20 RBC/HPF
D. Gross hematuria. 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?. Answer: External jugular vein
◉ Clinical features associated with tension pneumothorax. 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 a
diaphragmatic hernia
A. Bag and mask
B. LMA
C. Endotracheal intubation
D. Jet ventilation. Answer: A. Bag and mask
◉ What is the next step in the assessment of a traumatic patient
after airway is established?. Answer: Breathing
◉ Blood group that is considered a universal donor. Answer: O
◉ A provider is examining a patient who sustained a severe
traumatic head injury. He documents no Doll's eyes. What does this
signify?. Answer: Brainstem injury
, ◉ Which of the following is the least preferred method of
administering IV fluids?
A. Cubital veins
B. Cephalic veins
C. Subclavian veins
D. Saphenous vein. Answer: Subclavian veins
◉ Dermatome level for nipple sensation
Dermatome level for umbilicus. Answer: T4
T10
◉ At which temperature would a hypothermic patient stop
shivering?. Answer: 88 degrees F
◉ What is the energy recommendation for the first defibrillation in
an adult (*). Answer: 300 J
◉ Pharmacologic effects of Morphine. Answer: Behavioral changes
Analgesia
Respiratory depression
SOLUTION STUDY GUIDE
◉ First priority in the treatment of an unconscious patient. Answer:
Checking the pulse
◉ A patient involved in a road accident is brought to the emergency
department in an unconscious state. On arrival, her vitals show a
temperature of 96.4 degrees Fahrenheit, a respiration rate of 24
breaths per minute, a heart rate of 140 beats per minute, and a
blood pressure of 80/40 mm Hg. She is cold, shivering, and
perspiring profusely. She has bilateral reactive pupils but she does
not respond to pain. On physical examination, she has no obvious
sign of external bleeding. Which of the following cannot be the cause
of hypotension in this patient?
A. Pelvic fracture
B. Fracture of femur
C. Intracranial hemorrhage
D. Hemothorax. Answer: C. Intracranial hemorrhage
◉ A patient suffered a slash to his right neck. 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. Get an angiogram
B. Close the wound in the ER
C. Take him to the operating room
D. CT scan to evaluate neck structure. Answer: C. Take him to the OR
◉ After abdominal injury, which of the following urinalysis findings
would be an indication for further testing?
A. 0-5 casts/HPF
B. 5-10 WBC/HPF
C. 10-20 RBC/HPF
D. Gross hematuria. 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?. Answer: External jugular vein
◉ Clinical features associated with tension pneumothorax. 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 a
diaphragmatic hernia
A. Bag and mask
B. LMA
C. Endotracheal intubation
D. Jet ventilation. Answer: A. Bag and mask
◉ What is the next step in the assessment of a traumatic patient
after airway is established?. Answer: Breathing
◉ Blood group that is considered a universal donor. Answer: O
◉ A provider is examining a patient who sustained a severe
traumatic head injury. He documents no Doll's eyes. What does this
signify?. Answer: Brainstem injury
, ◉ Which of the following is the least preferred method of
administering IV fluids?
A. Cubital veins
B. Cephalic veins
C. Subclavian veins
D. Saphenous vein. Answer: Subclavian veins
◉ Dermatome level for nipple sensation
Dermatome level for umbilicus. Answer: T4
T10
◉ At which temperature would a hypothermic patient stop
shivering?. Answer: 88 degrees F
◉ What is the energy recommendation for the first defibrillation in
an adult (*). Answer: 300 J
◉ Pharmacologic effects of Morphine. Answer: Behavioral changes
Analgesia
Respiratory depression
