ATLS 10th Edition Post Test 1, 2, 3 & 4 (Latest
Update) Questions and Verified
Answers | 100% Correct | Grade A+
1. A 25-year-old male is brought to the emergency department after a
motorcycle crash. He is unresponsive, with a GCS of 7. What is the FIRST
priority?
• A) CT scan of the head
• B) Endotracheal intubation
• C) Chest X-ray
• D) Pelvic X-ray
Correct Answer: B
*Rationale: * A GCS ≤ 8 indicates the patient cannot protect their airway. Airway
management with intubation is the immediate priority, while maintaining cervical
spine precautions.
2. A 40-year-old female is stabbed in the left chest. She is hypotensive, with
distended neck veins and muffled heart sounds. What is the diagnosis?
• A) Tension pneumothorax
• B) Cardiac tamponade
• C) Massive hemothorax
• D) Simple pneumothorax
Correct Answer: B
,*Rationale: * Beck's triad (hypotension, distended neck veins, muffled heart
sounds) is pathognomonic for cardiac tamponade.
3. A 55-year-old male falls from a ladder. He has paradoxical movement of the
left chest wall. What is the most appropriate initial management?
• A) Chest tube insertion
• B) Needle decompression
• C) Pain control and possible intubation
• D) Pericardiocentesis
Correct Answer: C
*Rationale: * Flail chest causes paradoxical chest wall movement. Initial
management includes pain control, oxygen, and possible intubation if respiratory
compromise develops.
4. A 30-year-old female is involved in a high-speed MVA. Her blood pressure is
80/50, heart rate 130, and respiratory rate 28. What is the most likely class of
hemorrhagic shock?
• A) Class I
• B) Class II
• C) Class III
• D) Class IV
Correct Answer: C
*Rationale: * Class III shock involves 31-40% blood loss. Signs include
hypotension, tachycardia (>120), tachypnea, and oliguria.
,5. What is the initial fluid of choice for a trauma patient in hemorrhagic shock?
• A) 0.9% Normal Saline
• B) Lactated Ringer's solution
• C) 5% Albumin
• D) Packed Red Blood Cells
Correct Answer: B
*Rationale: * Lactated Ringer's is the preferred balanced crystalloid for initial
resuscitation.
6. A 60-year-old male has a gunshot wound to the right chest. Breath sounds are
absent on the right, trachea deviated to the left, and BP is 70/40. What should
you do NEXT?
• A) Chest tube insertion
• B) Needle decompression of the right chest
• C) Pericardiocentesis
• D) Intubation
Correct Answer: B
*Rationale: * Tracheal deviation, absent breath sounds, and hypotension =
tension pneumothorax. Needle decompression is the immediate life-saving
intervention.
7. What is the lethal triad in trauma patients?
• A) Hypoxia, hypercapnia, hyperkalemia
• B) Hypotension, tachycardia, tachypnea
• C) Hypothermia, acidosis, coagulopathy
, • D) Hyperthermia, alkalosis, thrombocytosis
Correct Answer: C
*Rationale: * The lethal triad (hypothermia, acidosis, coagulopathy) creates a
vicious cycle that increases mortality.
8. A 35-year-old male has an isolated penetrating abdominal wound. He is
hemodynamically unstable. What is the next step?
• A) CT scan with contrast
• B) Diagnostic peritoneal lavage
• C) FAST exam
• D) Immediate laparotomy
Correct Answer: C
*Rationale: * FAST exam is the rapid bedside test to detect intra-abdominal free
fluid (blood) in unstable patients.
9. What is the appropriate fluid bolus for a child in hemorrhagic shock?
• A) 10 mL/kg
• B) 20 mL/kg
• C) 30 mL/kg
• D) 40 mL/kg
Correct Answer: B
*Rationale: * The pediatric fluid bolus is 20 mL/kg of isotonic crystalloid.
Update) Questions and Verified
Answers | 100% Correct | Grade A+
1. A 25-year-old male is brought to the emergency department after a
motorcycle crash. He is unresponsive, with a GCS of 7. What is the FIRST
priority?
• A) CT scan of the head
• B) Endotracheal intubation
• C) Chest X-ray
• D) Pelvic X-ray
Correct Answer: B
*Rationale: * A GCS ≤ 8 indicates the patient cannot protect their airway. Airway
management with intubation is the immediate priority, while maintaining cervical
spine precautions.
2. A 40-year-old female is stabbed in the left chest. She is hypotensive, with
distended neck veins and muffled heart sounds. What is the diagnosis?
• A) Tension pneumothorax
• B) Cardiac tamponade
• C) Massive hemothorax
• D) Simple pneumothorax
Correct Answer: B
,*Rationale: * Beck's triad (hypotension, distended neck veins, muffled heart
sounds) is pathognomonic for cardiac tamponade.
3. A 55-year-old male falls from a ladder. He has paradoxical movement of the
left chest wall. What is the most appropriate initial management?
• A) Chest tube insertion
• B) Needle decompression
• C) Pain control and possible intubation
• D) Pericardiocentesis
Correct Answer: C
*Rationale: * Flail chest causes paradoxical chest wall movement. Initial
management includes pain control, oxygen, and possible intubation if respiratory
compromise develops.
4. A 30-year-old female is involved in a high-speed MVA. Her blood pressure is
80/50, heart rate 130, and respiratory rate 28. What is the most likely class of
hemorrhagic shock?
• A) Class I
• B) Class II
• C) Class III
• D) Class IV
Correct Answer: C
*Rationale: * Class III shock involves 31-40% blood loss. Signs include
hypotension, tachycardia (>120), tachypnea, and oliguria.
,5. What is the initial fluid of choice for a trauma patient in hemorrhagic shock?
• A) 0.9% Normal Saline
• B) Lactated Ringer's solution
• C) 5% Albumin
• D) Packed Red Blood Cells
Correct Answer: B
*Rationale: * Lactated Ringer's is the preferred balanced crystalloid for initial
resuscitation.
6. A 60-year-old male has a gunshot wound to the right chest. Breath sounds are
absent on the right, trachea deviated to the left, and BP is 70/40. What should
you do NEXT?
• A) Chest tube insertion
• B) Needle decompression of the right chest
• C) Pericardiocentesis
• D) Intubation
Correct Answer: B
*Rationale: * Tracheal deviation, absent breath sounds, and hypotension =
tension pneumothorax. Needle decompression is the immediate life-saving
intervention.
7. What is the lethal triad in trauma patients?
• A) Hypoxia, hypercapnia, hyperkalemia
• B) Hypotension, tachycardia, tachypnea
• C) Hypothermia, acidosis, coagulopathy
, • D) Hyperthermia, alkalosis, thrombocytosis
Correct Answer: C
*Rationale: * The lethal triad (hypothermia, acidosis, coagulopathy) creates a
vicious cycle that increases mortality.
8. A 35-year-old male has an isolated penetrating abdominal wound. He is
hemodynamically unstable. What is the next step?
• A) CT scan with contrast
• B) Diagnostic peritoneal lavage
• C) FAST exam
• D) Immediate laparotomy
Correct Answer: C
*Rationale: * FAST exam is the rapid bedside test to detect intra-abdominal free
fluid (blood) in unstable patients.
9. What is the appropriate fluid bolus for a child in hemorrhagic shock?
• A) 10 mL/kg
• B) 20 mL/kg
• C) 30 mL/kg
• D) 40 mL/kg
Correct Answer: B
*Rationale: * The pediatric fluid bolus is 20 mL/kg of isotonic crystalloid.
