ATLS PRACTICE TEST 2026 ACTUAL EXAM 250 REAL QUESTIONS
AND CORRECT DETAILED ANSWERS WITH RATIONALES (100%
VERIFIED ANSWERS) |
1. What are the recommended energy values for the first 3 CPR defibrillationsin
ventricular fibrillation in adults according to the guidelines of the European
Resuscitation Council (2015)?
20 - 20 - 30 J.
50 - 50 - 100 J.
50 - 100 - 200 J.
200 - 200 - 360 J.
100 - 100 - 100 J.
2. During the primary assessment of a trauma victim, the nurse determines that
the patient has a patent airway. What should the nurse assess next?
Palpate for the presence of peripheral pulses. HEAD TO TOE -
SECONDARY SURVEY
Examine the patient for any external bleeding. CIRCULATION
Check the patient's level of consciousness. DISABILITY
Observe the patient's respiratory effort. BREATHING
3. Describe how prolonged intubation can lead to laryngotracheal stenosis.
Prolonged intubation leads to increased mucus production,
obstructing the airway.
Prolonged intubation prevents normal airflow, causing swelling.
Prolonged intubation causes inflammation that resolves without
complications.
, Prolonged intubation can cause pressure necrosis and scarring in
the laryngeal and tracheal tissues, leading to stenosis.
4. What is the primary clinical sign that can help differentiate tension
pneumothorax from cardiac tamponade in a trauma patient?
Cyanosis
Bradycardia
Hypothermia
Tracheal deviation
5. What is a common complication associated with blunt chest trauma in
pediatric patients?
Pneumothorax
Rib fractures
Pulmonary contusion
Hemothorax
6. The most common cause of fetal death due to trauma to a pregnant woman's
abdomen is:
abruptio placenta.
a crushing injury to the fetus.
penetration of the uterus.
premature labor.
7. In a scenario where a Rh-negative pregnant woman suffers a traumatic injury
and requires a blood transfusion, what should be the immediate action
regarding Rh immunoglobulin?
, Administer Rh immunoglobulin if Rh-positive blood is transfused.
Only administer Rh immunoglobulin after the woman gives birth.
Do not administer Rh immunoglobulin under any circumstances.
Administer Rh immunoglobulin regardless of the blood type of the
transfusion.
8. In a patient with abdominal trauma presenting with gross hematuria, what
would be the most appropriate next step in management?
Administer antibiotics immediately.
Perform imaging studies to assess for urinary tract injury.
Schedule a follow-up appointment in one week.
Start intravenous fluids and monitor vital signs only.
9. In a scenario where a patient presents with respiratory distress and
hypotension after a motor vehicle accident, what immediate intervention
should be prioritized if tension pneumothorax is suspected?
Needle decompression of the chest
Initiating CPR
Administering intravenous fluids
Performing a tracheostomy
10. Describe the significance of the vital signs observed in the patient with the
gunshot wound.
The high blood pressure and low heart rate suggest a cardiac event.
The low blood pressure and high heart rate indicate hypovolemic
shock due to blood loss.
, The vital signs indicate an allergic reaction requiring epinephrine
administration.
The vital signs suggest the patient is stable and does not require
immediate intervention.
11. What initial energy dose would you recommend to defibrillate an adult
patient in ventricular fibrillation when using a biphasic defibrillator?
20-100 J
240-320 J
320-400 J
120 to 200 J
12. Discuss why intracranial hemorrhage is not typically associated with
hypotension in trauma patients compared to other injuries.
Intracranial hemorrhage leads to significant blood loss, causing
hypotension.
Intracranial hemorrhage primarily affects intracranial pressure and
neurological function rather than directly causing hypotension.
Intracranial hemorrhage results in a decrease in blood volume,
leading to hypotension.
Intracranial hemorrhage is always accompanied by external bleeding,
which causes hypotension.
13. What is one indicator of improved perfusion in a trauma patient after fluid
resuscitation?
Decreased heart rate.
Increased blood pressure.
AND CORRECT DETAILED ANSWERS WITH RATIONALES (100%
VERIFIED ANSWERS) |
1. What are the recommended energy values for the first 3 CPR defibrillationsin
ventricular fibrillation in adults according to the guidelines of the European
Resuscitation Council (2015)?
20 - 20 - 30 J.
50 - 50 - 100 J.
50 - 100 - 200 J.
200 - 200 - 360 J.
100 - 100 - 100 J.
2. During the primary assessment of a trauma victim, the nurse determines that
the patient has a patent airway. What should the nurse assess next?
Palpate for the presence of peripheral pulses. HEAD TO TOE -
SECONDARY SURVEY
Examine the patient for any external bleeding. CIRCULATION
Check the patient's level of consciousness. DISABILITY
Observe the patient's respiratory effort. BREATHING
3. Describe how prolonged intubation can lead to laryngotracheal stenosis.
Prolonged intubation leads to increased mucus production,
obstructing the airway.
Prolonged intubation prevents normal airflow, causing swelling.
Prolonged intubation causes inflammation that resolves without
complications.
, Prolonged intubation can cause pressure necrosis and scarring in
the laryngeal and tracheal tissues, leading to stenosis.
4. What is the primary clinical sign that can help differentiate tension
pneumothorax from cardiac tamponade in a trauma patient?
Cyanosis
Bradycardia
Hypothermia
Tracheal deviation
5. What is a common complication associated with blunt chest trauma in
pediatric patients?
Pneumothorax
Rib fractures
Pulmonary contusion
Hemothorax
6. The most common cause of fetal death due to trauma to a pregnant woman's
abdomen is:
abruptio placenta.
a crushing injury to the fetus.
penetration of the uterus.
premature labor.
7. In a scenario where a Rh-negative pregnant woman suffers a traumatic injury
and requires a blood transfusion, what should be the immediate action
regarding Rh immunoglobulin?
, Administer Rh immunoglobulin if Rh-positive blood is transfused.
Only administer Rh immunoglobulin after the woman gives birth.
Do not administer Rh immunoglobulin under any circumstances.
Administer Rh immunoglobulin regardless of the blood type of the
transfusion.
8. In a patient with abdominal trauma presenting with gross hematuria, what
would be the most appropriate next step in management?
Administer antibiotics immediately.
Perform imaging studies to assess for urinary tract injury.
Schedule a follow-up appointment in one week.
Start intravenous fluids and monitor vital signs only.
9. In a scenario where a patient presents with respiratory distress and
hypotension after a motor vehicle accident, what immediate intervention
should be prioritized if tension pneumothorax is suspected?
Needle decompression of the chest
Initiating CPR
Administering intravenous fluids
Performing a tracheostomy
10. Describe the significance of the vital signs observed in the patient with the
gunshot wound.
The high blood pressure and low heart rate suggest a cardiac event.
The low blood pressure and high heart rate indicate hypovolemic
shock due to blood loss.
, The vital signs indicate an allergic reaction requiring epinephrine
administration.
The vital signs suggest the patient is stable and does not require
immediate intervention.
11. What initial energy dose would you recommend to defibrillate an adult
patient in ventricular fibrillation when using a biphasic defibrillator?
20-100 J
240-320 J
320-400 J
120 to 200 J
12. Discuss why intracranial hemorrhage is not typically associated with
hypotension in trauma patients compared to other injuries.
Intracranial hemorrhage leads to significant blood loss, causing
hypotension.
Intracranial hemorrhage primarily affects intracranial pressure and
neurological function rather than directly causing hypotension.
Intracranial hemorrhage results in a decrease in blood volume,
leading to hypotension.
Intracranial hemorrhage is always accompanied by external bleeding,
which causes hypotension.
13. What is one indicator of improved perfusion in a trauma patient after fluid
resuscitation?
Decreased heart rate.
Increased blood pressure.
