ATLS 10th Edition Post Test 2 Questions
and Ansẉers with
Expert-Verified Explanation 2026\2027
update
This Exam contains:
Guarantee passing score
Questions and Ansẉers
format set of multiple-choice
Expert-Verified Explanation
, Verified ẉith trusted textbooks
───────────────────────────────────────────────────────
─
1. A 22 year old male is brought by ambulance to a small community hospital
after falling from the top of an 8 foot ladder. Initially, he was found to have a
large right pneumothorax. A chest tube was inserted and connected to an
underwater seal drainage collection system with negative pressure. A repeat
CXR demonstrates a residual, large right pneumothorax. After transferring the
patient to a verified trauma center, a third chest x-ray reveals a persistent right
pneumothorax. The chest tube appears to be functioning and in good position.
He remains hemodynamically normal with no signs of respiratory distress. The
most likely cause for the persistent right pneumothorax is:
a) Flail chest
b) Diaphragmatic injury
c) Pulmonary contusion
d) Esophageal perforation
e) Tracheobronchial injury
Correct Answer: e) Tracheobronchial injury
Expert Explanation: A persistent pneumothorax despite a functioning, well-
positioned chest tube is classic for a tracheobronchial injury. These injuries
involve the major airways (trachea or mainstem bronchi) and allow a continuous
air leak that standard chest tube suction cannot overcome. The patient remains
stable because the air leak is balanced or because the injury is partially
contained. Bronchoscopy is diagnostic .
2. Which of the following is LEAST reliable for diagnosing ESOPHAGEAL
intubation?
a) Symmetrical chest wall movement
b) End-tidal CO2
c) Bilateral breath sounds
d) Oxygen saturation >92%
e) ETT above carina on chest x-ray
, Correct Answer: d) Oxygen saturation >92%
Expert Explanation: Oxygen saturation (SpO2) is a lagging indicator. A
patient can maintain normal oxygen saturation for several minutes despite
esophageal intubation due to pre-oxygenation prior to the attempt.
Capnography (end-tidal CO2) is the gold standard for confirming tracheal
placement, as exhaled CO2 is absent in esophageal intubations .
3. Which of the following signs necessitates the need for a definitive airway in a
severe trauma patient?
a) Facial lacerations
b) Repeated vomiting
c) Severe maxillofacial trauma
d) Sternal fracture
e) GCS 12
Correct Answer: c) Severe maxillofacial trauma
Expert Explanation: Severe maxillofacial trauma often leads to rapidly
progressive airway obstruction due to swelling, bleeding, or loss of anatomical
support. These patients require a definitive airway (endotracheal intubation or
surgical airway) to protect against aspiration and ensure patency. While a GCS
≤8 is the classic threshold, severe maxillofacial injuries mandate intubation
regardless of GCS .
4. Twenty seven people are severely injured in an aircraft crash at a local
airport. The principles of triage include:
a) Establish a triage site within the internal perimeter of the crash site
b) Treat only the most severely injured patients first
c) Immediately transport all patients to the nearest hospital
d) Treat the greatest number of patients in the shortest period of time
e) Produce the greatest number of survivors based on available resources
Correct Answer: e) Produce the greatest number of survivors based on
available resources
Expert Explanation: Mass casualty triage aims to do the greatest good for
the greatest number. Resources are allocated to patients with survivable
injuries. The most severely injured (expectant category) are not treated first if
and Ansẉers with
Expert-Verified Explanation 2026\2027
update
This Exam contains:
Guarantee passing score
Questions and Ansẉers
format set of multiple-choice
Expert-Verified Explanation
, Verified ẉith trusted textbooks
───────────────────────────────────────────────────────
─
1. A 22 year old male is brought by ambulance to a small community hospital
after falling from the top of an 8 foot ladder. Initially, he was found to have a
large right pneumothorax. A chest tube was inserted and connected to an
underwater seal drainage collection system with negative pressure. A repeat
CXR demonstrates a residual, large right pneumothorax. After transferring the
patient to a verified trauma center, a third chest x-ray reveals a persistent right
pneumothorax. The chest tube appears to be functioning and in good position.
He remains hemodynamically normal with no signs of respiratory distress. The
most likely cause for the persistent right pneumothorax is:
a) Flail chest
b) Diaphragmatic injury
c) Pulmonary contusion
d) Esophageal perforation
e) Tracheobronchial injury
Correct Answer: e) Tracheobronchial injury
Expert Explanation: A persistent pneumothorax despite a functioning, well-
positioned chest tube is classic for a tracheobronchial injury. These injuries
involve the major airways (trachea or mainstem bronchi) and allow a continuous
air leak that standard chest tube suction cannot overcome. The patient remains
stable because the air leak is balanced or because the injury is partially
contained. Bronchoscopy is diagnostic .
2. Which of the following is LEAST reliable for diagnosing ESOPHAGEAL
intubation?
a) Symmetrical chest wall movement
b) End-tidal CO2
c) Bilateral breath sounds
d) Oxygen saturation >92%
e) ETT above carina on chest x-ray
, Correct Answer: d) Oxygen saturation >92%
Expert Explanation: Oxygen saturation (SpO2) is a lagging indicator. A
patient can maintain normal oxygen saturation for several minutes despite
esophageal intubation due to pre-oxygenation prior to the attempt.
Capnography (end-tidal CO2) is the gold standard for confirming tracheal
placement, as exhaled CO2 is absent in esophageal intubations .
3. Which of the following signs necessitates the need for a definitive airway in a
severe trauma patient?
a) Facial lacerations
b) Repeated vomiting
c) Severe maxillofacial trauma
d) Sternal fracture
e) GCS 12
Correct Answer: c) Severe maxillofacial trauma
Expert Explanation: Severe maxillofacial trauma often leads to rapidly
progressive airway obstruction due to swelling, bleeding, or loss of anatomical
support. These patients require a definitive airway (endotracheal intubation or
surgical airway) to protect against aspiration and ensure patency. While a GCS
≤8 is the classic threshold, severe maxillofacial injuries mandate intubation
regardless of GCS .
4. Twenty seven people are severely injured in an aircraft crash at a local
airport. The principles of triage include:
a) Establish a triage site within the internal perimeter of the crash site
b) Treat only the most severely injured patients first
c) Immediately transport all patients to the nearest hospital
d) Treat the greatest number of patients in the shortest period of time
e) Produce the greatest number of survivors based on available resources
Correct Answer: e) Produce the greatest number of survivors based on
available resources
Expert Explanation: Mass casualty triage aims to do the greatest good for
the greatest number. Resources are allocated to patients with survivable
injuries. The most severely injured (expectant category) are not treated first if
