ATLS 10th Edition Post-Test Exam PRACTICE
QUESTIONS AND CORRECT DETAILED ANSWERS
2026/2027 (VERIFIED ANSWERS) LATEST UPDATE
1. What is the first step in the primary survey of a trauma patient?
A) Airway assessment with cervical spine protection
B) Breathing assessment
C) Circulation assessment
D) Disability evaluation
Answer: A) Airway assessment with cervical spine protection
Rationale: The primary survey follows the ABCDE approach, starting with airway
management and ensuring cervical spine protection to prevent further injury.
2. Which of the following is the most common cause of preventable death in
trauma patients?
A) Airway obstruction
B) Tension pneumothorax
C) Hemorrhage
D) Traumatic brain injury
Answer: A) Airway obstruction
Rationale: Airway obstruction is the most common cause of preventable death
and must be recognized and treated immediately.
,3. In the primary survey, what is the correct order of assessment?
A) Airway, Breathing, Circulation, Disability, Exposure
B) Circulation, Airway, Breathing, Exposure, Disability
C) Breathing, Airway, Circulation, Disability, Exposure
D) Disability, Airway, Breathing, Circulation, Exposure
Answer: A) Airway, Breathing, Circulation, Disability, Exposure
Rationale: The ABCDE approach prioritizes life-threatening issues first.
4. What is the definitive treatment for a tension pneumothorax?
A) Needle decompression followed by chest tube insertion
B) Immediate intubation
C) Administration of high-flow oxygen
D) Observation and serial chest x-rays
Answer: A) Needle decompression followed by chest tube insertion
Rationale: Needle decompression relieves the pressure, and chest tube placement
definitively treats the pneumothorax.
5. Which of the following is an indication for immediate thoracotomy in trauma
patients?
A) Stable patient with hemothorax on chest x-ray
B) Cardiac arrest with witnessed penetrating chest trauma
C) Mild rib fractures with no respiratory distress
D) Open fracture of the femur
Answer: B) Cardiac arrest with witnessed penetrating chest trauma
Rationale: Emergency thoracotomy is indicated in witnessed cardiac arrest from
penetrating chest trauma to control hemorrhage or cardiac tamponade.
,6. What is the “lethal triad” in trauma patients?
A) Hypothermia, acidosis, and coagulopathy
B) Hypotension, hypoxia, and hyperthermia
C) Bradycardia, hypotension, and hypoxia
D) Acidosis, hyperthermia, and anemia
Answer: A) Hypothermia, acidosis, and coagulopathy
Rationale: The lethal triad worsens trauma outcomes and must be prevented or
corrected early.
7. Which injury is most likely if a patient has abdominal tenderness with a
seatbelt sign?
A) Small bowel injury
B) Kidney contusion
C) Liver laceration
D) Bladder rupture
Answer: A) Small bowel injury
Rationale: The seatbelt sign is associated with increased risk of hollow viscus
injury such as small bowel perforation.
8. When should a pelvic binder be applied?
A) In all patients with pelvic pain
B) When a pelvic fracture with instability is suspected
C) Only after CT scan confirms fracture
D) Never in trauma patients
Answer: B) When a pelvic fracture with instability is suspected
Rationale: Pelvic binders stabilize the pelvis to reduce bleeding in suspected
unstable fractures.
, 9. What is the best method to assess circulation during the primary survey?
A) Measuring blood pressure alone
B) Checking pulses, capillary refill, and skin color
C) Doing an echocardiogram
D) Counting respiratory rate
Answer: B) Checking pulses, capillary refill, and skin color
Rationale: These clinical signs give a rapid bedside assessment of perfusion.
10. In trauma, Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) is used to assess:
A) Airway patency
B) Level of consciousness
C) Blood pressure
D) Respiratory rate
Answer: B) Level of consciousness
Rationale: GCS scores neurological status, guiding the assessment of head injury
severity.
11. What is the initial fluid of choice for resuscitation in hemorrhagic shock?
A) Packed red blood cells
B) Lactated Ringer’s solution
C) Normal saline
D) Whole blood
Answer: B) Lactated Ringer’s solution
Rationale: Balanced crystalloids like Lactated Ringer’s are preferred for initial fluid
resuscitation.
12. Which of the following is NOT part of the secondary survey?
QUESTIONS AND CORRECT DETAILED ANSWERS
2026/2027 (VERIFIED ANSWERS) LATEST UPDATE
1. What is the first step in the primary survey of a trauma patient?
A) Airway assessment with cervical spine protection
B) Breathing assessment
C) Circulation assessment
D) Disability evaluation
Answer: A) Airway assessment with cervical spine protection
Rationale: The primary survey follows the ABCDE approach, starting with airway
management and ensuring cervical spine protection to prevent further injury.
2. Which of the following is the most common cause of preventable death in
trauma patients?
A) Airway obstruction
B) Tension pneumothorax
C) Hemorrhage
D) Traumatic brain injury
Answer: A) Airway obstruction
Rationale: Airway obstruction is the most common cause of preventable death
and must be recognized and treated immediately.
,3. In the primary survey, what is the correct order of assessment?
A) Airway, Breathing, Circulation, Disability, Exposure
B) Circulation, Airway, Breathing, Exposure, Disability
C) Breathing, Airway, Circulation, Disability, Exposure
D) Disability, Airway, Breathing, Circulation, Exposure
Answer: A) Airway, Breathing, Circulation, Disability, Exposure
Rationale: The ABCDE approach prioritizes life-threatening issues first.
4. What is the definitive treatment for a tension pneumothorax?
A) Needle decompression followed by chest tube insertion
B) Immediate intubation
C) Administration of high-flow oxygen
D) Observation and serial chest x-rays
Answer: A) Needle decompression followed by chest tube insertion
Rationale: Needle decompression relieves the pressure, and chest tube placement
definitively treats the pneumothorax.
5. Which of the following is an indication for immediate thoracotomy in trauma
patients?
A) Stable patient with hemothorax on chest x-ray
B) Cardiac arrest with witnessed penetrating chest trauma
C) Mild rib fractures with no respiratory distress
D) Open fracture of the femur
Answer: B) Cardiac arrest with witnessed penetrating chest trauma
Rationale: Emergency thoracotomy is indicated in witnessed cardiac arrest from
penetrating chest trauma to control hemorrhage or cardiac tamponade.
,6. What is the “lethal triad” in trauma patients?
A) Hypothermia, acidosis, and coagulopathy
B) Hypotension, hypoxia, and hyperthermia
C) Bradycardia, hypotension, and hypoxia
D) Acidosis, hyperthermia, and anemia
Answer: A) Hypothermia, acidosis, and coagulopathy
Rationale: The lethal triad worsens trauma outcomes and must be prevented or
corrected early.
7. Which injury is most likely if a patient has abdominal tenderness with a
seatbelt sign?
A) Small bowel injury
B) Kidney contusion
C) Liver laceration
D) Bladder rupture
Answer: A) Small bowel injury
Rationale: The seatbelt sign is associated with increased risk of hollow viscus
injury such as small bowel perforation.
8. When should a pelvic binder be applied?
A) In all patients with pelvic pain
B) When a pelvic fracture with instability is suspected
C) Only after CT scan confirms fracture
D) Never in trauma patients
Answer: B) When a pelvic fracture with instability is suspected
Rationale: Pelvic binders stabilize the pelvis to reduce bleeding in suspected
unstable fractures.
, 9. What is the best method to assess circulation during the primary survey?
A) Measuring blood pressure alone
B) Checking pulses, capillary refill, and skin color
C) Doing an echocardiogram
D) Counting respiratory rate
Answer: B) Checking pulses, capillary refill, and skin color
Rationale: These clinical signs give a rapid bedside assessment of perfusion.
10. In trauma, Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) is used to assess:
A) Airway patency
B) Level of consciousness
C) Blood pressure
D) Respiratory rate
Answer: B) Level of consciousness
Rationale: GCS scores neurological status, guiding the assessment of head injury
severity.
11. What is the initial fluid of choice for resuscitation in hemorrhagic shock?
A) Packed red blood cells
B) Lactated Ringer’s solution
C) Normal saline
D) Whole blood
Answer: B) Lactated Ringer’s solution
Rationale: Balanced crystalloids like Lactated Ringer’s are preferred for initial fluid
resuscitation.
12. Which of the following is NOT part of the secondary survey?
