ATLS 11th Edition Exam 2026 | 150 Questions
& Answers with Rationales | Advanced Trauma
Life Support
,SECTION 1: INITIAL ASSESSMENT & PRIMARY SURVEY
1. What is the first priority when assessing a severely injured patient?
A. Obtain a complete medical history
B. Identify and control life-threatening external hemorrhage
C. Perform a secondary survey
D. Obtain CT imaging
Answer: B
Rationale: ATLS 11th Edition emphasizes the immediate identification and control of
exsanguinating external hemorrhage before proceeding through the remainder of the primary
survey.
2. Which sequence represents the ATLS 11th Edition primary survey?
A. ABCDE
B. CABDE
C. xABCDE
D. BACDE
Answer: C
Rationale: The primary survey begins with x — exsanguinating hemorrhage, followed by
Airway, Breathing, Circulation, Disability, and Exposure/Environmental control.
,3. A trauma patient has massive bleeding from an amputated lower extremity. What should
occur first?
A. Obtain a chest x-ray
B. Establish two IV lines
C. Control the hemorrhage
D. Perform a neurologic examination
Answer: C
Rationale: Uncontrolled exsanguinating hemorrhage can cause death within minutes.
Immediate hemorrhage control takes priority.
4. Which intervention is most appropriate for life-threatening extremity hemorrhage that
cannot be controlled with direct pressure?
A. Apply a tourniquet
B. Apply an ice pack
C. Elevate the limb only
D. Delay treatment until imaging is obtained
Answer: A
Rationale: A properly applied tourniquet is an important method of controlling life-threatening
extremity hemorrhage when direct pressure is ineffective or impractical.
, 5. What is the major goal of the primary survey?
A. Identify every injury
B. Obtain a complete history
C. Rapidly identify and treat immediate life threats
D. Complete all diagnostic testing
Answer: C
Rationale: The primary survey is designed to identify and manage conditions that can rapidly
cause death.
6. A trauma patient is talking clearly. What does this finding suggest?
A. The airway is definitely normal
B. The airway is currently patent
C. Cervical spine injury is excluded
D. There is no risk of aspiration
Answer: B
Rationale: Ability to speak indicates that air is moving through the airway at that moment, but
it does not exclude evolving airway obstruction or cervical spine injury.
& Answers with Rationales | Advanced Trauma
Life Support
,SECTION 1: INITIAL ASSESSMENT & PRIMARY SURVEY
1. What is the first priority when assessing a severely injured patient?
A. Obtain a complete medical history
B. Identify and control life-threatening external hemorrhage
C. Perform a secondary survey
D. Obtain CT imaging
Answer: B
Rationale: ATLS 11th Edition emphasizes the immediate identification and control of
exsanguinating external hemorrhage before proceeding through the remainder of the primary
survey.
2. Which sequence represents the ATLS 11th Edition primary survey?
A. ABCDE
B. CABDE
C. xABCDE
D. BACDE
Answer: C
Rationale: The primary survey begins with x — exsanguinating hemorrhage, followed by
Airway, Breathing, Circulation, Disability, and Exposure/Environmental control.
,3. A trauma patient has massive bleeding from an amputated lower extremity. What should
occur first?
A. Obtain a chest x-ray
B. Establish two IV lines
C. Control the hemorrhage
D. Perform a neurologic examination
Answer: C
Rationale: Uncontrolled exsanguinating hemorrhage can cause death within minutes.
Immediate hemorrhage control takes priority.
4. Which intervention is most appropriate for life-threatening extremity hemorrhage that
cannot be controlled with direct pressure?
A. Apply a tourniquet
B. Apply an ice pack
C. Elevate the limb only
D. Delay treatment until imaging is obtained
Answer: A
Rationale: A properly applied tourniquet is an important method of controlling life-threatening
extremity hemorrhage when direct pressure is ineffective or impractical.
, 5. What is the major goal of the primary survey?
A. Identify every injury
B. Obtain a complete history
C. Rapidly identify and treat immediate life threats
D. Complete all diagnostic testing
Answer: C
Rationale: The primary survey is designed to identify and manage conditions that can rapidly
cause death.
6. A trauma patient is talking clearly. What does this finding suggest?
A. The airway is definitely normal
B. The airway is currently patent
C. Cervical spine injury is excluded
D. There is no risk of aspiration
Answer: B
Rationale: Ability to speak indicates that air is moving through the airway at that moment, but
it does not exclude evolving airway obstruction or cervical spine injury.
