ATLS POST TEST ASSESSMENT
QUESTIONS WITH VERIFIED ANSWERS
2026
1. What is the primary goal of the primary survey in ATLS?
A. To obtain a detailed medical history
B. To perform a complete neurological examination
C. To identify and treat life-threatening conditions immediately
D. To prepare the patient for discharge
Answer: C
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 management of a trauma patient’s airway?
A. Perform a tracheostomy
B. Insert a definitive airway
C. Assess for airway patency and verbally communicate with the patient
D. Administer high-flow oxygen via a non-rebreather mask
,Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: Assessing patency by asking the patient their name is the first
step; if they speak clearly, the airway is patent at that moment.
3. Which breathing complication presents with absent breath sounds, hyperresonance, and
tracheal deviation?
A. Simple pneumothorax
B. Cardiac tamponade
C. Flail chest
D. Tension pneumothorax
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: Tension pneumothorax causes increased intrathoracic pressure
leading to absent breath sounds, hyperresonance, and tracheal deviation away from the
affected side.
4. What is the immediate treatment for a tension pneumothorax?
A. Immediate chest tube insertion
B. Pericardiocentesis
C. Endotracheal intubation
D. Needle decompression followed by chest tube insertion
Answer: D
, Conceptual Explanation: Needle decompression is performed immediately to relieve
pressure, followed by definitive treatment with a chest tube.
5. Beck’s triad for cardiac tamponade includes hypotension, muffled heart sounds, and which
of the following?
A. Tracheal deviation
B. Absent breath sounds
C. Engorged neck veins
D. Hyperresonance
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: Beck’s triad consists of hypotension, muffled heart sounds, and
distended (engorged) neck veins.
6. Which type of shock is most commonly caused by trauma?
A. Cardiogenic shock
B. Neurogenic shock
C. Septic shock
D. Hemorrhagic shock
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: Hemorrhagic shock is the most common form of shock seen in
trauma patients resulting from acute blood loss.
QUESTIONS WITH VERIFIED ANSWERS
2026
1. What is the primary goal of the primary survey in ATLS?
A. To obtain a detailed medical history
B. To perform a complete neurological examination
C. To identify and treat life-threatening conditions immediately
D. To prepare the patient for discharge
Answer: C
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 management of a trauma patient’s airway?
A. Perform a tracheostomy
B. Insert a definitive airway
C. Assess for airway patency and verbally communicate with the patient
D. Administer high-flow oxygen via a non-rebreather mask
,Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: Assessing patency by asking the patient their name is the first
step; if they speak clearly, the airway is patent at that moment.
3. Which breathing complication presents with absent breath sounds, hyperresonance, and
tracheal deviation?
A. Simple pneumothorax
B. Cardiac tamponade
C. Flail chest
D. Tension pneumothorax
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: Tension pneumothorax causes increased intrathoracic pressure
leading to absent breath sounds, hyperresonance, and tracheal deviation away from the
affected side.
4. What is the immediate treatment for a tension pneumothorax?
A. Immediate chest tube insertion
B. Pericardiocentesis
C. Endotracheal intubation
D. Needle decompression followed by chest tube insertion
Answer: D
, Conceptual Explanation: Needle decompression is performed immediately to relieve
pressure, followed by definitive treatment with a chest tube.
5. Beck’s triad for cardiac tamponade includes hypotension, muffled heart sounds, and which
of the following?
A. Tracheal deviation
B. Absent breath sounds
C. Engorged neck veins
D. Hyperresonance
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: Beck’s triad consists of hypotension, muffled heart sounds, and
distended (engorged) neck veins.
6. Which type of shock is most commonly caused by trauma?
A. Cardiogenic shock
B. Neurogenic shock
C. Septic shock
D. Hemorrhagic shock
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: Hemorrhagic shock is the most common form of shock seen in
trauma patients resulting from acute blood loss.
