ATLS Module Practice Questions and answers 2026-2027
One critical aspectJof hospital preparation is:
A) determining status of advance directive
B) ensuring availability of properly functioningJairway equipment
C) consulting withJon-call neurosurgeon
D) ordering laboratory tests - correct answer-
B) ensuring availability of properly functioningJairway equipment
T/F: Pulse oximetry measures the partial pressureJof oxygen or carbon dioxide. - correct answer-False;
Pulse oximetry does not measure the partial pressureJof oxygen, only saturation. It can be confounded by car
boxyhemoglobin, so this adjunctJshould be used with caution inJpatientsJwith inhalation injury. Pulse oximet
ry also does not measure carbonJdioxide.
T/F: EvenJin life-
threateningJemergencies, the clinician must obtain consent for treatment prior to initiatingJany interventions.
- correct answer-False;
Consent isJsought before treatment, if possible. In life-
threateningJemergencies, it is often not possible toJobtain such consent. InJthese cases, provideJtreatment first
, and obtain formal consent later.
WhichJpatient sign can be quickly observed to assess a patient's hemodynamic status?
A) oxygen saturation
B) tracheal deviation
C) skinJperfusion
D) lung sounds - correct answer-C) skin perfusion
What key information should prehospital providers obtain and report to the receivingJhospital?
A) details regardingJthe patient's primary care physician
B) type of health insurance
C) address of patient's residence
D) events associated withJinjury - correct answer-D) events associated with injury
,Clinicians should take aggressive measures to prevent hypothermiaJin trauma patients and restore body temp
erature to normal by:
A) maintaining the temperature of the resuscitation areaJat one thatJis well-tolerated by clinicians
B) using a high-flow fluid delivery mechanism
C) using a warmer or microwave ovenJto heat crystalloid fluids to 59-degreesJCelsius
D) increasing the temperature of the resuscitation area toJminimize theJloss of body heat -Jcorrect answer-
D) increasing the temperature of the resuscitation area toJminimize theJlossJof body heat
WhichJof the following is a typical role of a trauma teamJmember?
A) coordinate dispatch communications
B) collectJTQIP data
C) assess and manage airway
D) calibrateJrespiratory equipment - correct answer-C) assess and manage airway
In a patient who is gurgling, initial assessment for ventilation shouldJinclude:
A) pulse oximetry
B) blood pressure measurements
C) looking atJchest rise and listening for breath
D) suctioningJthe oropharynx - correct answer-D) suctioning the oropharynx
T/F: When performing airway maneuvers that do not involve neck motion, temporary release of c-
spineJprotection is warranted. - correct answer-False;
T/F: The one-person bag-mask ventilation is just as effective as the two-person ventilation technique. -
correct answer-False;
OnJexam, an unrestrained driver is hoarse and has minimal subcutaneous neck emphysema. ThisJpatient likel
y has a/an:
A) adequate airway
B) obstructed airway
C) tension pneumothorax
D) pharyngitis - correct answer-B) obstructed airway
, In an agitatedJtrauma patient whoJrefuses to lay down:
A) assessmentJof airway adequacy may include suctioning
B) sedation is indicated
C) patient restraints are needed
D) intoxication shouldJbe assumed - correct answer-
A) assessment of airway adequacy may include suctioning
WhichJof the following is an indication for rapid sequence intubation?
A) patients for whom endotracheal intubation is safe and successful
B) patients with a history of difficultJintubation
C) patients with a precipitous drop in oxygenJsaturation
D) patients who need airway control, and have intact gag reflexes, especially those who have sustained head
injuries - correct answer-
D) patients who need airway control, and have intact gag reflexes, especially those whoJhave sustained head
injuries
A surgical airway (i.e., cricothyroidotomy or tracheostomy) isJindicated in the presence of:
A) edema of the glottis
B) facial trauma
C) small mouth or jaw
D) inability to place a nasopharyngeal airway - correct answer-A) edema of the glottis
T/F: Massive crystalloid resuscitation increases platelets and clotting factors, preventingJcoagulopathy in inj
ured patients. - correct answer-False;
Massive crystalloid resuscitation, with theJresultant dilution of platelets and clottingJfactors, as well as the ad
verse effecct of hypothermia on platelet aggregation and the clottingJcascade, contributes to coagulopathy inJ
injured patients.
WhichJof the following factors can makeJidentification of hemorrhagic shock in elderly patientsJdifficult?
A) use of medicationsJthat prevent tachycardia
B) increased cardiac compliance
One critical aspectJof hospital preparation is:
A) determining status of advance directive
B) ensuring availability of properly functioningJairway equipment
C) consulting withJon-call neurosurgeon
D) ordering laboratory tests - correct answer-
B) ensuring availability of properly functioningJairway equipment
T/F: Pulse oximetry measures the partial pressureJof oxygen or carbon dioxide. - correct answer-False;
Pulse oximetry does not measure the partial pressureJof oxygen, only saturation. It can be confounded by car
boxyhemoglobin, so this adjunctJshould be used with caution inJpatientsJwith inhalation injury. Pulse oximet
ry also does not measure carbonJdioxide.
T/F: EvenJin life-
threateningJemergencies, the clinician must obtain consent for treatment prior to initiatingJany interventions.
- correct answer-False;
Consent isJsought before treatment, if possible. In life-
threateningJemergencies, it is often not possible toJobtain such consent. InJthese cases, provideJtreatment first
, and obtain formal consent later.
WhichJpatient sign can be quickly observed to assess a patient's hemodynamic status?
A) oxygen saturation
B) tracheal deviation
C) skinJperfusion
D) lung sounds - correct answer-C) skin perfusion
What key information should prehospital providers obtain and report to the receivingJhospital?
A) details regardingJthe patient's primary care physician
B) type of health insurance
C) address of patient's residence
D) events associated withJinjury - correct answer-D) events associated with injury
,Clinicians should take aggressive measures to prevent hypothermiaJin trauma patients and restore body temp
erature to normal by:
A) maintaining the temperature of the resuscitation areaJat one thatJis well-tolerated by clinicians
B) using a high-flow fluid delivery mechanism
C) using a warmer or microwave ovenJto heat crystalloid fluids to 59-degreesJCelsius
D) increasing the temperature of the resuscitation area toJminimize theJloss of body heat -Jcorrect answer-
D) increasing the temperature of the resuscitation area toJminimize theJlossJof body heat
WhichJof the following is a typical role of a trauma teamJmember?
A) coordinate dispatch communications
B) collectJTQIP data
C) assess and manage airway
D) calibrateJrespiratory equipment - correct answer-C) assess and manage airway
In a patient who is gurgling, initial assessment for ventilation shouldJinclude:
A) pulse oximetry
B) blood pressure measurements
C) looking atJchest rise and listening for breath
D) suctioningJthe oropharynx - correct answer-D) suctioning the oropharynx
T/F: When performing airway maneuvers that do not involve neck motion, temporary release of c-
spineJprotection is warranted. - correct answer-False;
T/F: The one-person bag-mask ventilation is just as effective as the two-person ventilation technique. -
correct answer-False;
OnJexam, an unrestrained driver is hoarse and has minimal subcutaneous neck emphysema. ThisJpatient likel
y has a/an:
A) adequate airway
B) obstructed airway
C) tension pneumothorax
D) pharyngitis - correct answer-B) obstructed airway
, In an agitatedJtrauma patient whoJrefuses to lay down:
A) assessmentJof airway adequacy may include suctioning
B) sedation is indicated
C) patient restraints are needed
D) intoxication shouldJbe assumed - correct answer-
A) assessment of airway adequacy may include suctioning
WhichJof the following is an indication for rapid sequence intubation?
A) patients for whom endotracheal intubation is safe and successful
B) patients with a history of difficultJintubation
C) patients with a precipitous drop in oxygenJsaturation
D) patients who need airway control, and have intact gag reflexes, especially those who have sustained head
injuries - correct answer-
D) patients who need airway control, and have intact gag reflexes, especially those whoJhave sustained head
injuries
A surgical airway (i.e., cricothyroidotomy or tracheostomy) isJindicated in the presence of:
A) edema of the glottis
B) facial trauma
C) small mouth or jaw
D) inability to place a nasopharyngeal airway - correct answer-A) edema of the glottis
T/F: Massive crystalloid resuscitation increases platelets and clotting factors, preventingJcoagulopathy in inj
ured patients. - correct answer-False;
Massive crystalloid resuscitation, with theJresultant dilution of platelets and clottingJfactors, as well as the ad
verse effecct of hypothermia on platelet aggregation and the clottingJcascade, contributes to coagulopathy inJ
injured patients.
WhichJof the following factors can makeJidentification of hemorrhagic shock in elderly patientsJdifficult?
A) use of medicationsJthat prevent tachycardia
B) increased cardiac compliance
