ATLS Practice Test 3 Answers & Explanations | 2022 latest update

ATLS Practice Test 3 Answers & Explanations | 2022 latest update 1. c. 21. d. 2. d. 22. a. 3. e. 23. d. 4. b. 24. e. 5. e. 25. b. 6. c. 26. b. 7. c. 27. a. 8. d. 28. d. 9. a. 29. d. 10. b. 30. e. 11. b. 31. a. 12. a. 32. b. 13. d. 33. d. 14. e. 34. a. 15. a. 35. a. 16. a. 36. e. 17. d. 37. c. 18. a. 38. c. 19. d. 39. d. 20. d. 40. c. c. Decreased pulse pressure, per se, is not a sign of a compromised airway. Pulse pressure is equal to systolic blood pressure minus diastolic blood pressure. In the setting of trauma, a decreased pulse pressure may be an indication of Class II or worse hemorrhage, since the body attempts to compensate by increasing peripheral vascular resistance. All of the other choices may be signs or symptoms of airway compromise. d. Restrained pregnant women have a lower risk of death, premature delivery, and fetal death. There does not appear to be any increase in pregnancy­specific risks from the deployment of airbags. Note: The use of a shoulder restraint in conjunction with a lap belt reduces the likelihood of direct and indirect fetal injury, because of the greater surface area over which the deceleration force is dissipated, as well as the prevention of forward flexion of the mother over the gravid uterus. Also, a lap belt worn too high over the uterus may produce uterine rupture because of the transmission of direct force to the uterus on impact. e. Pericardiotomy is required in patients with acute cardiac tamponade. Note: Cardiac tamponade can usually be diagnosed with the FAST exam. If a qualified surgeon is not available, pericardiocentesis should be performed, but it is not a definitive treatment for cardiac tamponade. Cardiac tamponade most commonly results from penetrating injuries; however, blunt injuries also can cause it. Cardiac tamponade is indicated by the presence of Beck’s triad: venous pressure elevation, arterial pressure decline, and muffled heart tones. However, muffled heart tones are difficult to assess in a noisy exam area, and distended neck veins may be absent due to hypovolemia. Additionally, tension pneumothorax, particularly on the left side, can mimic cardiac tamponade. Kussmaul’s sign (a rise in venous pressure with inspiration) is also a sign of tamponade, and may also be present in constrictive pericarditis and restrictive cardiomyopathy. Kussmaul breathing, on the other hand, is deep and labored breathing associated with severe metabolic acidosis. b. In a neurologically intact patient, the absence of pain or tenderness along the spine virtually excludes the presence of a significant spinal injury, provided there is no intoxication, altered level of consciousness, or distracting injury. Note: It is possible to have SCIWORA (spinal cord injury without radiographic abnormalities), especially in a pediatric patient. Potential breathing or circulatory problems should be addressed before obtaining c­spine films. Atlanto­occipital dislocation should be suspected if the Power's ratio is 1, not 1. e. CT provides more accurate anatomical information than the other choices mentioned. c. A GCS score of 8 or lower is an indication for a definitive airway. Intubation should not be delayed. c. Plain films of the chest and pelvis are done during the primary survey. They can provide very useful information regarding injuries such as fractured ribs, pneumothorax, hemothorax, widened mediastinum, and pelvic fractures. Note: Given the patient's tachycardia, spinal cord injury is not the most likely cause of his hypotension. Also, he does not present with any chest injuries that would suggest an aortic injury. Pelvic injury cannot be ruled out. From the information provided, the most likely cause of his hypotension is blood loss from a pelvic fracture.