ATLS POST TEST PRACTICE
QUESTIONS WITH VERIFIED ANSWERS
1. What is the primary goal of the initial assessment in the primary survey of ATLS?
A. To obtain a detailed past medical history
B. To identify and treat life-threatening conditions immediately
C. To perform a complete neurological examination
D. To apply definitive splints to all fractures
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: The primary survey focuses on identifying and immediately
treating life-threatening conditions using the ABCDE approach.
2. Which of the following is the first step in the ABCDE mnemonic of trauma care?
A. Breathing
B. Circulation
C. Disability
D. Airway with cervical spine protection
Answer: D
,Conceptual Explanation: A stands for Airway maintenance with simultaneous cervical
spine protection.
3. During the primary survey, tension pneumothorax is best diagnosed by:
A. Clinical findings such as hypotension, absent breath sounds, and tracheal deviation
B. Chest radiography
C. Arterial blood gas analysis
D. Electrocardiogram
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: Tension pneumothorax is a clinical diagnosis requiring
immediate needle decompression rather than waiting for X-ray confirmation.
4. What is the immediate treatment for a tension pneumothorax?
A. Tube thoracostomy
B. Endotracheal intubation
C. Needle decompression
D. Pericardiocentesis
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: Needle decompression is the immediate life-saving procedure
performed before chest tube insertion.
, 5. Which of the following findings is characteristic of cardiac tamponade?
A. Loss of distal pulses in the lower extremities
B. Hyperresonance on percussion of the chest
C. Tracheal deviation away from the affected side
D. Beck’s triad (hypotension, distended neck veins, muffled heart sounds)
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: Beck’s triad is classic for cardiac tamponade, though not all
three signs may be present in every patient.
6. What is the preferred initial fluid for resuscitation in hemorrhagic shock?
A. Warm isotonic crystalloid solution (e.g., Ringer’s lactate)
B. D5W
C. Colloid solutions only
D. Free water
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: Warm isotonic crystalloids are the initial fluid of choice, though
blood products should be used early in significant hemorrhage.
7. Class III hemorrhagic shock is characterized by an acute blood loss of approximately:
A. 31% to 40%
QUESTIONS WITH VERIFIED ANSWERS
1. What is the primary goal of the initial assessment in the primary survey of ATLS?
A. To obtain a detailed past medical history
B. To identify and treat life-threatening conditions immediately
C. To perform a complete neurological examination
D. To apply definitive splints to all fractures
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: The primary survey focuses on identifying and immediately
treating life-threatening conditions using the ABCDE approach.
2. Which of the following is the first step in the ABCDE mnemonic of trauma care?
A. Breathing
B. Circulation
C. Disability
D. Airway with cervical spine protection
Answer: D
,Conceptual Explanation: A stands for Airway maintenance with simultaneous cervical
spine protection.
3. During the primary survey, tension pneumothorax is best diagnosed by:
A. Clinical findings such as hypotension, absent breath sounds, and tracheal deviation
B. Chest radiography
C. Arterial blood gas analysis
D. Electrocardiogram
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: Tension pneumothorax is a clinical diagnosis requiring
immediate needle decompression rather than waiting for X-ray confirmation.
4. What is the immediate treatment for a tension pneumothorax?
A. Tube thoracostomy
B. Endotracheal intubation
C. Needle decompression
D. Pericardiocentesis
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: Needle decompression is the immediate life-saving procedure
performed before chest tube insertion.
, 5. Which of the following findings is characteristic of cardiac tamponade?
A. Loss of distal pulses in the lower extremities
B. Hyperresonance on percussion of the chest
C. Tracheal deviation away from the affected side
D. Beck’s triad (hypotension, distended neck veins, muffled heart sounds)
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: Beck’s triad is classic for cardiac tamponade, though not all
three signs may be present in every patient.
6. What is the preferred initial fluid for resuscitation in hemorrhagic shock?
A. Warm isotonic crystalloid solution (e.g., Ringer’s lactate)
B. D5W
C. Colloid solutions only
D. Free water
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: Warm isotonic crystalloids are the initial fluid of choice, though
blood products should be used early in significant hemorrhage.
7. Class III hemorrhagic shock is characterized by an acute blood loss of approximately:
A. 31% to 40%
