ATLS ADVANCED TRAUMA LIFE SUPPORT (ATLS) LATEST 2026 ACTUAL EXAM QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
ALREADY GRADED A+| 100% VERIFIED SOLUTIONS………...
Core Domains:
Primary Survey and Resuscitation (ABCDE Approach)
Airway Management and Ventilatory Support
Shock Recognition, Classification, and Hemorrhage Control
Thoracic Trauma and Chest Injuries
Abdominal and Pelvic Trauma
Head, Spine, and Neurological Trauma
Musculoskeletal and Soft Tissue Injuries
Burns and Environmental Injuries
Trauma in Special Populations (Pediatric, Geriatric, Pregnant)
Trauma Team Dynamics, Triage, and Patient Transfer
Introduction:
This comprehensive practice examination is designed to prepare healthcare professionals for the Advanced Trauma
Life Support (ATLS) certification exam based on the latest 10th Edition guidelines. It assesses foundational and
applied knowledge of the ABCDE primary survey approach, airway and ventilatory management, shock
recognition and resuscitation, thoracic, abdominal, head, and musculoskeletal trauma, and special population
considerations. The exam employs multiple-choice and scenario-based questions that challenge candidates to
apply critical thinking, prioritize life-threatening conditions, and make sound clinical decisions. Emphasis is placed
,on real-world application, evidence-based protocols, and the integration of core ATLS principles necessary for
successful certification and optimal trauma patient care.
Section One: Questions 1–100
1. What is the first priority in the primary survey of a trauma patient according to ATLS guidelines?
A. Breathing and ventilation assessment
B. Circulation with hemorrhage control
C. Airway assessment with cervical spine protection
D. Disability and neurological assessment
🟢 C. Airway assessment with cervical spine protection
🔴 RATIONALE: The ATLS ABCDE approach mandates airway assessment with cervical spine protection as the
first priority in the primary survey. Airway obstruction is the most rapidly life-threatening condition in trauma
patients and must be addressed before breathing, circulation, or disability.
2. A 34-year-old male unrestrained driver is brought to the ED following a high-speed motor vehicle
collision. He is confused, has snoring respirations, and a GCS of 7. Vital signs: HR 110, BP 98/62, RR 28, SpO2
88% on room air. During the primary survey, what is the most appropriate immediate intervention?
,A. Obtain a CT scan of the head to evaluate for intracranial injury
B. Insert two large-bore peripheral IVs and begin fluid resuscitation
C. Perform immediate orotracheal intubation with in-line spinal stabilization
D. Complete the secondary survey to identify all injuries
🟢 C. Perform immediate orotracheal intubation with in-line spinal stabilization
🔴 RATIONALE: This patient has a GCS ≤ 8 with snoring respirations, indicating a compromised airway and high
risk for aspiration and hypoxia. Definitive airway control is required immediately. Airway management takes
precedence over imaging, fluid resuscitation, or secondary survey.
3. A 28-year-old female pedestrian struck by a vehicle at 40 mph arrives in the trauma bay. She is moaning
but follows commands. Her airway is patent, breathing is labored with decreased breath sounds bilaterally,
and respiratory rate is 32. HR 128, BP 84/56, SpO2 91% on 15L non-rebreather. After airway assessment, what
is the next priority in the primary survey?
A. Perform a detailed neurologic examination to establish baseline GCS
B. Administer 2 liters of warmed crystalloid solution rapidly
C. Identify and treat the cause of respiratory compromise
D. Obtain a portable chest X-ray to diagnose the underlying pathology
🟢 C. Identify and treat the cause of respiratory compromise
🔴 RATIONALE: The primary survey follows the ABCDE sequence; after airway (A) is secured, breathing (B) is the
next priority. This patient has life-threatening respiratory compromise with bilateral decreased breath sounds,
, tachypnea, and hypoxemia requiring immediate intervention. Tension pneumothorax is a clinical diagnosis
requiring immediate needle decompression, not radiographic confirmation.
4. A 35-year-old male is brought to the trauma bay after a high-speed MVC. He is unconscious with a patent
airway. His respiratory rate is 8 breaths/min. What is the priority intervention?
A. Chest X-ray
B. Endotracheal intubation with bag-valve-mask ventilation first
C. Cervical spine CT
D. IV fluids
🟢 B. Endotracheal intubation with bag-valve-mask ventilation first
🔴 RATIONALE: Airway is the first priority in ATLS (A). The patient has a depressed respiratory rate (8/min),
indicating inadequate ventilation. Intubation is required for airway protection and assisted ventilation.
5. A 28-year-old male is stabbed in the chest. He is awake, speaking in full sentences, with equal breath
sounds bilaterally and normal jugular veins. Vital signs: BP 110/70, HR 110, RR 22. What is the next step in the
primary survey?
A. Needle decompression of the chest
B. Focused Assessment with Sonography in Trauma (FAST) exam
ALREADY GRADED A+| 100% VERIFIED SOLUTIONS………...
Core Domains:
Primary Survey and Resuscitation (ABCDE Approach)
Airway Management and Ventilatory Support
Shock Recognition, Classification, and Hemorrhage Control
Thoracic Trauma and Chest Injuries
Abdominal and Pelvic Trauma
Head, Spine, and Neurological Trauma
Musculoskeletal and Soft Tissue Injuries
Burns and Environmental Injuries
Trauma in Special Populations (Pediatric, Geriatric, Pregnant)
Trauma Team Dynamics, Triage, and Patient Transfer
Introduction:
This comprehensive practice examination is designed to prepare healthcare professionals for the Advanced Trauma
Life Support (ATLS) certification exam based on the latest 10th Edition guidelines. It assesses foundational and
applied knowledge of the ABCDE primary survey approach, airway and ventilatory management, shock
recognition and resuscitation, thoracic, abdominal, head, and musculoskeletal trauma, and special population
considerations. The exam employs multiple-choice and scenario-based questions that challenge candidates to
apply critical thinking, prioritize life-threatening conditions, and make sound clinical decisions. Emphasis is placed
,on real-world application, evidence-based protocols, and the integration of core ATLS principles necessary for
successful certification and optimal trauma patient care.
Section One: Questions 1–100
1. What is the first priority in the primary survey of a trauma patient according to ATLS guidelines?
A. Breathing and ventilation assessment
B. Circulation with hemorrhage control
C. Airway assessment with cervical spine protection
D. Disability and neurological assessment
🟢 C. Airway assessment with cervical spine protection
🔴 RATIONALE: The ATLS ABCDE approach mandates airway assessment with cervical spine protection as the
first priority in the primary survey. Airway obstruction is the most rapidly life-threatening condition in trauma
patients and must be addressed before breathing, circulation, or disability.
2. A 34-year-old male unrestrained driver is brought to the ED following a high-speed motor vehicle
collision. He is confused, has snoring respirations, and a GCS of 7. Vital signs: HR 110, BP 98/62, RR 28, SpO2
88% on room air. During the primary survey, what is the most appropriate immediate intervention?
,A. Obtain a CT scan of the head to evaluate for intracranial injury
B. Insert two large-bore peripheral IVs and begin fluid resuscitation
C. Perform immediate orotracheal intubation with in-line spinal stabilization
D. Complete the secondary survey to identify all injuries
🟢 C. Perform immediate orotracheal intubation with in-line spinal stabilization
🔴 RATIONALE: This patient has a GCS ≤ 8 with snoring respirations, indicating a compromised airway and high
risk for aspiration and hypoxia. Definitive airway control is required immediately. Airway management takes
precedence over imaging, fluid resuscitation, or secondary survey.
3. A 28-year-old female pedestrian struck by a vehicle at 40 mph arrives in the trauma bay. She is moaning
but follows commands. Her airway is patent, breathing is labored with decreased breath sounds bilaterally,
and respiratory rate is 32. HR 128, BP 84/56, SpO2 91% on 15L non-rebreather. After airway assessment, what
is the next priority in the primary survey?
A. Perform a detailed neurologic examination to establish baseline GCS
B. Administer 2 liters of warmed crystalloid solution rapidly
C. Identify and treat the cause of respiratory compromise
D. Obtain a portable chest X-ray to diagnose the underlying pathology
🟢 C. Identify and treat the cause of respiratory compromise
🔴 RATIONALE: The primary survey follows the ABCDE sequence; after airway (A) is secured, breathing (B) is the
next priority. This patient has life-threatening respiratory compromise with bilateral decreased breath sounds,
, tachypnea, and hypoxemia requiring immediate intervention. Tension pneumothorax is a clinical diagnosis
requiring immediate needle decompression, not radiographic confirmation.
4. A 35-year-old male is brought to the trauma bay after a high-speed MVC. He is unconscious with a patent
airway. His respiratory rate is 8 breaths/min. What is the priority intervention?
A. Chest X-ray
B. Endotracheal intubation with bag-valve-mask ventilation first
C. Cervical spine CT
D. IV fluids
🟢 B. Endotracheal intubation with bag-valve-mask ventilation first
🔴 RATIONALE: Airway is the first priority in ATLS (A). The patient has a depressed respiratory rate (8/min),
indicating inadequate ventilation. Intubation is required for airway protection and assisted ventilation.
5. A 28-year-old male is stabbed in the chest. He is awake, speaking in full sentences, with equal breath
sounds bilaterally and normal jugular veins. Vital signs: BP 110/70, HR 110, RR 22. What is the next step in the
primary survey?
A. Needle decompression of the chest
B. Focused Assessment with Sonography in Trauma (FAST) exam
