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ATLS TEST EXAM 2026 100% PASS ASSURED
EXAMINATION SOLUTIONS
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.
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
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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 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
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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.
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.
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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
Functional changes in renal system include
loss of renal mass, decreased GFR, and
decreased sensitivity to ADH and aldosterone -
correct answer- resulting in drug dosing for
renal insufficiency, decreased ability to
concentrate urine, increased risk for AKI and
urine flow may be normal with hypovolemia
Functional changes to MSK include loss of lean
body mass, osteoporosis, changes in joints and
cartilage, c spine degenerative changes and
loss of skin elastin and subcutaneous fat -
correct answer- resulting in increased risk
for fractures, decreased mobility, difficulty
for oral intubation, risk of skin injury,
increased risk for hypothermia, challenges in
rehabiliation
ATLS TEST EXAM 2026 100% PASS ASSURED
EXAMINATION SOLUTIONS
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.
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
,2 | Page
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 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
,3 | Page
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.
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.
, 4 | Page
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
Functional changes in renal system include
loss of renal mass, decreased GFR, and
decreased sensitivity to ADH and aldosterone -
correct answer- resulting in drug dosing for
renal insufficiency, decreased ability to
concentrate urine, increased risk for AKI and
urine flow may be normal with hypovolemia
Functional changes to MSK include loss of lean
body mass, osteoporosis, changes in joints and
cartilage, c spine degenerative changes and
loss of skin elastin and subcutaneous fat -
correct answer- resulting in increased risk
for fractures, decreased mobility, difficulty
for oral intubation, risk of skin injury,
increased risk for hypothermia, challenges in
rehabiliation
