ATLS Practice Exam Questions with
Complete Answers
Definitive control of the airway is achieved by ____________ - Answer-Endotracheal
intubation
How do you treat hypothermia in the ED? - Answer-crystalloid fluids at 102.2 degrees F
and warmed treatment area
What does definitive hemorrhage control refer to?
(3) - Answer-1) Possible surgery
2) Stabilizing of pelvis
3) Angioembolization
What are rates of fluid administration measured by? - Answer-Size and length of
catheter
Minimum flow rate of oxygen reservoir mask - Answer-11 L/min
MCC of shock in trauma pt - Answer-Hypovolemia due to hemorrhage
Describe the 3 for 1 rule - Answer-Replace each mL of blood loss with 3 ml of crystalloid
solution
What metabolic state can result from continued hemorrhage or decreased perfusion? -
Answer-Metabolic acidosis
In what survey, primary or secondary, are these identified?
1) Simple PTX
2) Pulmonary contusion
3) Traumatic aortic disruption - Answer-Secondary
Via thorough PE, CXR, pulse ox, ECG and ABG
What imaging study is preferred for penetrating abdominal trauma? - Answer-CT
What can FAST rapidly diagnose? - Answer-Abdominal hemorrhage
When is a laparotomy indicated? - Answer-Fascial penetration with intraperitoneal
bleeding or peritonitis
What does the Monro Kellie doctrine describe? - Answer-The relationship between IC
volume and pressure
Normal resting ICP - Answer-10 mm Hg
, How do you reduce elevated ICP? - Answer-Mannitol in a 20% solution
How do you temporarily control pelvic hemorrhage and instability? - Answer-Internal
traction and external counter-pressure
How do you initially manage major arterial injury? - Answer-Direct pressure and fluid
resuscitation
Full thickness burn - Answer-Third degree burn
What is used to estimate the size and depth of burns? - Answer-Rule of 9's
Head= 9%
Each arm=9%
Front Trunk= 18%
Back Trunk= 18%
Upper leg= 9%
Lower leg= 9%
What type of burns appear wet and blistered? - Answer-Partial thickness burns (second
degree)
How do you treat CO exposed pt? - Answer-100% oxygen flow through non re-breather
mask
What is a reliable measure of circulating blood volumes in burn patients? - Answer-
Hourly urine output
*Goal= 0.5-1.0 ml/kg body weight*
Hospital admission criteria for burn pt
(8) - Answer-1) Partial-thickness burns greater than 10% total BSA (TBSA)
2) Full-thickness burns greater than 2% TBSA
3) Burns involving the face, hands, genitalia, perineum, or major joints
4) Circumferential extremity burns
5) All high-voltage electrical burns, including lightning injury--Admission of low-voltage
electrical burns is selective
6) Chemical burns
7) Inhalation injury
8) Burn injuries in patients with preexisting medical disorders that could complicate
management, prolong recovery, or affect mortality (eg, diabetes, immunosuppression)
Parkland Formula for Fluid Resuscitation in Burn pt - Answer-3-4 mL Ringer lactate X
weight (kg) X %TBSA burned (second-degree and third degree);
*half administered over the first 8 hours* (from time of injury),* remaining half
administered over the next 16 hours*
Complete Answers
Definitive control of the airway is achieved by ____________ - Answer-Endotracheal
intubation
How do you treat hypothermia in the ED? - Answer-crystalloid fluids at 102.2 degrees F
and warmed treatment area
What does definitive hemorrhage control refer to?
(3) - Answer-1) Possible surgery
2) Stabilizing of pelvis
3) Angioembolization
What are rates of fluid administration measured by? - Answer-Size and length of
catheter
Minimum flow rate of oxygen reservoir mask - Answer-11 L/min
MCC of shock in trauma pt - Answer-Hypovolemia due to hemorrhage
Describe the 3 for 1 rule - Answer-Replace each mL of blood loss with 3 ml of crystalloid
solution
What metabolic state can result from continued hemorrhage or decreased perfusion? -
Answer-Metabolic acidosis
In what survey, primary or secondary, are these identified?
1) Simple PTX
2) Pulmonary contusion
3) Traumatic aortic disruption - Answer-Secondary
Via thorough PE, CXR, pulse ox, ECG and ABG
What imaging study is preferred for penetrating abdominal trauma? - Answer-CT
What can FAST rapidly diagnose? - Answer-Abdominal hemorrhage
When is a laparotomy indicated? - Answer-Fascial penetration with intraperitoneal
bleeding or peritonitis
What does the Monro Kellie doctrine describe? - Answer-The relationship between IC
volume and pressure
Normal resting ICP - Answer-10 mm Hg
, How do you reduce elevated ICP? - Answer-Mannitol in a 20% solution
How do you temporarily control pelvic hemorrhage and instability? - Answer-Internal
traction and external counter-pressure
How do you initially manage major arterial injury? - Answer-Direct pressure and fluid
resuscitation
Full thickness burn - Answer-Third degree burn
What is used to estimate the size and depth of burns? - Answer-Rule of 9's
Head= 9%
Each arm=9%
Front Trunk= 18%
Back Trunk= 18%
Upper leg= 9%
Lower leg= 9%
What type of burns appear wet and blistered? - Answer-Partial thickness burns (second
degree)
How do you treat CO exposed pt? - Answer-100% oxygen flow through non re-breather
mask
What is a reliable measure of circulating blood volumes in burn patients? - Answer-
Hourly urine output
*Goal= 0.5-1.0 ml/kg body weight*
Hospital admission criteria for burn pt
(8) - Answer-1) Partial-thickness burns greater than 10% total BSA (TBSA)
2) Full-thickness burns greater than 2% TBSA
3) Burns involving the face, hands, genitalia, perineum, or major joints
4) Circumferential extremity burns
5) All high-voltage electrical burns, including lightning injury--Admission of low-voltage
electrical burns is selective
6) Chemical burns
7) Inhalation injury
8) Burn injuries in patients with preexisting medical disorders that could complicate
management, prolong recovery, or affect mortality (eg, diabetes, immunosuppression)
Parkland Formula for Fluid Resuscitation in Burn pt - Answer-3-4 mL Ringer lactate X
weight (kg) X %TBSA burned (second-degree and third degree);
*half administered over the first 8 hours* (from time of injury),* remaining half
administered over the next 16 hours*
