ATLS Practice Exam 2024 Latest 2026–2027 Updated Trauma Questions and Answers. Verified Exam Preparation Material for Emergency and Critical Care. Complete Practice Coverage for High Scores and Certification Success.

A patient is involved in a MVA and suffers multiorgan trauma. He is brought to the ER by
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EMS and found to be hypotensive with bradycardia and his abdomen is not distended.
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He is disoriented and confused. He has a GCS of 9; his legs are warm and the pulses
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thready. His CVP is 9 his HR is 42 and his BP is 80/40. What is the most likely cause of his
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shock state? L




A. Closed head injury L L




B. Ongoing intra-abdominal hemorrhage L L




C. Pneumothorax

D. Neurogenic shock - ANSWER>>D. Neurogenic shock L L L L L




Which one of the following findings in an adult is most likely to require immediate
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management during the primary survey? L L L L




A. distended abdomen L




B. Glasgow Coma Scale score of 11 L L L L L




C. temperature of 36.5°C (97.8°F) L L L




D. deforming of the right thigh L L L L




E. Respiratory rate of 40 breaths per minute - ANSWER>>E. Respiratory rate of 40
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breaths per minute L L




Which one of the following statements regarding abdominal trauma in the pregnant
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patient is TRUE? L L




A. The fetus is in jeopardy only with major abdominal trauma.
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B. Leakage of amniotic fluid is an indication for hospital admission.
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C. Indications for peritoneal lavage are different from those in the nonpregnant patient.
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,D. With penetrating trauma injury to the mother's abdominal hollow viscus is more
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common in late than in early pregnancy.
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E. The secondary survey follows a different pattern from that of the nonpregnant
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patient. - ANSWER>>B. Leakage of amniotic fluid is an indication for hospital admission.
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The most important immediate step in the management of an open pneumothorax is:
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A. endotracheal intubation L




B. operation to close the wound L L L L




C. placing a chest tube through the chest wound
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D. placement of an occlusive dressing over the wound L L L L L L L




E. initiation of 2 large-caliber IVs with crystalloid solutionE. - ANSWER>>D. placement of an
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occlusive dressing over the wound
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The following are contraindications for tetanus toxoid administration:
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A. history of neurological reaction or severe hypersensitivity to the product
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B. local side effects
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C. muscular spasms L




D. pregnancy

E. all of the above - ANSWER>>A. history of neurological reaction or severe
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hypersensitivity to the product L L L




A 56-year-old man is thrown violently against the steering wheel of his truck during a
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motor vehicle crash. On arrival in the emergency department he is diaphoretic and
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complaining of chest pain. His blood pressure is 60/40 mm Hg and his respiratory rate is 40
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breaths per minute. Which of the following best differentiates cardiac tamponade from
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tension pneumothorax as the cause of his hypotension?
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A. Tachycardia

,B. pulse volume L




C. breath sounds L




D. pulse pressure L




E. jugular venous pressure - ANSWER>>C. breath sounds
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Bronchial intubation of the right or left mainstem bronchus can easily occur during infant
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endotracheal intubation because: L L




A. The trachea is relatively short.
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B. The distance from the lips to the larynx is relatively short.
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C. The use of cuffed endotracehal tubes eliminates this issue.
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D. The mainstem bronchi are less angulated in their relation to the trachea.
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E. So little friction exists between the endotracheal tube and the wall of the trachea. -
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ANSWER>>A. The trachea is relatively short. L L L L L




Which one of the following is the most effective method for initially treating frostbite?
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A. moist heat L




B. early amputation
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C. padding and elevation L L




D. vasodilators and heparin L L




E. topical application of silver sulfadiazine - ANSWER>>A. moist heat
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Which one of the following statements concerning intraosseous infusion is TRUE?A. Only
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crystalloid solutions may be safely infused through the needle.
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B. Aspiration of bone marrow confirms appropriate positioning of the needle.
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C. Intraosseous infusion is the preferred route for volume resuscitation in small children.
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, D. Intraosseous infusion may be utilized indefinitely. L L L L L




E. Swelling in the soft tissues around the intraosseous site is not a reason to discontinue
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infusion. - ANSWER>>B. Aspiration of bone marrow confirms appropriate positioning of
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the needle.
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A young woman sustains a severe head injury as the result of a motor vehicle crash. In the
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emergency department her GCS is 6. Her blood pressure is 140/90 mm Hg and her heart
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rate is 80 beats per minute. She is intubated and mechanically ventilated. Her pupils are 3
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mm in size and equally reactive to light. There is no other apparent injury. The most
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important principle to follow in the early management of her head injury is to:
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A. avoid hypotension L




B. administer an osmotic diuretic L L L




C. aggressively treat systemic hypertension L L L




D. reduce metabolic requirements of the brain L L L L L




E. distinguish between intracranial hematoma and cerebral edema - ANSWER>>A. avoid
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hypotension



A hemodynamically normal 10-year-old girl is hospitalized for observation after a Grade III
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(moderately severe) splenic injury has been confirmed by computed tomography (CT).
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Which of the following mandates prompt celiotomy (laparotomy)?
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A. a serum amylase of 200
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B. a leukocyte count of 14,000
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C. evidence of retroperitoneal hematoma on CT scan L L L L L L




D. development of peritonitis on physical exam L L L L L




E. a fall in the hemoglobin level from 12 g/dL to 8 g/dL over 24 hours - ANSWER>>D.
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development of peritonitis on physical exam L L L L L