ATLS Written Review Exam questions
with Complete solutions
What is the primary goal of treating TBI? How is this done? - Answer-preventing
secondary brain injury. This is done by maintaining blood pressure and providing
adequate profusion.
After managing ABCDEs of TBI what MUST be identified if present? How is this done? -
Answer-mass lesion that requires surgical evacuation is critical! this is done with CT.
NOTE: obtaining a CT should not delay patient transfer to trauma center.
Which brain lobes do the following hold:
1. anterior fossa:
2. middle fossa:
3. posterior fossa: - Answer-1. anterior fossa: frontal lobes
2. middle fossa: temporal lobes
3. posterior fossa: lower brainstem and cerebellum
What are the 3 layers of the meninges? - Answer-dura mater, arachnoid mater, pia
mater
What does the dura mater adhere firmly to? - Answer-the skull. it is tough and fibrous
What layer of the meninges splits into two leaves as specific sites to enclose large
venous sinuses? What do these sinuses do? - Answer-dura mater.
these sinuses provide major venous drainage from the brain.
What is the midline sinus of of the brain that splits into two sinuses: bilateral transverse
and sigmoid sinus? What side are these bigger on? - Answer-The main sinus enclosed
by the dura major is the midline superior sagital sinus. This splits into the sigmoid and
bilateral transverse sinuses which are larger on the right side.
What are the arteries that lie between the skull and the dura mater (epidural space)? -
Answer-meningeal arteries.
What is the most commonly injured meningeal artery and where is it located? - Answer-
middle meningeal artery.
Located over the temporal fossa
T/F: the arachnoid mater is fused to the dura mater? - Answer-FALSE: not attached.
This produces a potential space for a subdural hematoma
In a subdural hematoma, what is the cause? - Answer-injury to bridging veins that
extend from brain surface to the sinuses within the dura.
, _______ fills the space between the arachnoid and pia mater? - Answer-CSF. this
cushions the brain and spinal cord.
What location of brain hemorrhage is frequently seen in brain contusion or injury to
major blood vessels at base of brain? - Answer-subarachnoid.
The ____ and _____ contain the reticular activating system which is responsible for
____. - Answer-midbrain and upper pons
state of alertness
What important function resides in the medulla? - Answer-cardiorespiratory centers.
What important functions are in the following brain segments:
1. left hemisphere:
2. frontal lobe:
3. parietal lobe:
4. temporal: - Answer-1. left hemisphere: language center
2. frontal lobe: executive function, emotions, motor
3. parietal lobe: sensory function/spatial orientation
4. temporal: memory functions
What divides the brain into supratentorial and infratentorial compartments? - Answer-
tentorium cerebelli. (tent over cerebellum)
What is the physiology behind a blown pupil? - Answer-blown pupil: dilation of pupil
-CN III runs along the tentorium cerebelli. parasympathetic fibers that constrict the pupil
run along CN III (oculomotor). When temporal lobe is herniated, it can compress these
fibers. Unapposed sympathetic activity causes pupillary dilation.
What is the tentorial notch/hiatus - Answer-this is where the midbrain passes through
into the infratentorial compartment.
what part of the brain most commonly herniates through the tentorial notch? - Answer-
Uncus (medial part of temporal lobe)
does weakness occur on the same or opposite side of the uncal herniation? - Answer-
OPPOSITE. the corticospinal tract of the midbrain is compressed and then crosses at
the foramen magnum.
state: Ipsilateral/contralateral
____ pupillary dilation associated with _____ hemiparesis is the classic sign of uncial
herniation. - Answer-ipsi
contra
with Complete solutions
What is the primary goal of treating TBI? How is this done? - Answer-preventing
secondary brain injury. This is done by maintaining blood pressure and providing
adequate profusion.
After managing ABCDEs of TBI what MUST be identified if present? How is this done? -
Answer-mass lesion that requires surgical evacuation is critical! this is done with CT.
NOTE: obtaining a CT should not delay patient transfer to trauma center.
Which brain lobes do the following hold:
1. anterior fossa:
2. middle fossa:
3. posterior fossa: - Answer-1. anterior fossa: frontal lobes
2. middle fossa: temporal lobes
3. posterior fossa: lower brainstem and cerebellum
What are the 3 layers of the meninges? - Answer-dura mater, arachnoid mater, pia
mater
What does the dura mater adhere firmly to? - Answer-the skull. it is tough and fibrous
What layer of the meninges splits into two leaves as specific sites to enclose large
venous sinuses? What do these sinuses do? - Answer-dura mater.
these sinuses provide major venous drainage from the brain.
What is the midline sinus of of the brain that splits into two sinuses: bilateral transverse
and sigmoid sinus? What side are these bigger on? - Answer-The main sinus enclosed
by the dura major is the midline superior sagital sinus. This splits into the sigmoid and
bilateral transverse sinuses which are larger on the right side.
What are the arteries that lie between the skull and the dura mater (epidural space)? -
Answer-meningeal arteries.
What is the most commonly injured meningeal artery and where is it located? - Answer-
middle meningeal artery.
Located over the temporal fossa
T/F: the arachnoid mater is fused to the dura mater? - Answer-FALSE: not attached.
This produces a potential space for a subdural hematoma
In a subdural hematoma, what is the cause? - Answer-injury to bridging veins that
extend from brain surface to the sinuses within the dura.
, _______ fills the space between the arachnoid and pia mater? - Answer-CSF. this
cushions the brain and spinal cord.
What location of brain hemorrhage is frequently seen in brain contusion or injury to
major blood vessels at base of brain? - Answer-subarachnoid.
The ____ and _____ contain the reticular activating system which is responsible for
____. - Answer-midbrain and upper pons
state of alertness
What important function resides in the medulla? - Answer-cardiorespiratory centers.
What important functions are in the following brain segments:
1. left hemisphere:
2. frontal lobe:
3. parietal lobe:
4. temporal: - Answer-1. left hemisphere: language center
2. frontal lobe: executive function, emotions, motor
3. parietal lobe: sensory function/spatial orientation
4. temporal: memory functions
What divides the brain into supratentorial and infratentorial compartments? - Answer-
tentorium cerebelli. (tent over cerebellum)
What is the physiology behind a blown pupil? - Answer-blown pupil: dilation of pupil
-CN III runs along the tentorium cerebelli. parasympathetic fibers that constrict the pupil
run along CN III (oculomotor). When temporal lobe is herniated, it can compress these
fibers. Unapposed sympathetic activity causes pupillary dilation.
What is the tentorial notch/hiatus - Answer-this is where the midbrain passes through
into the infratentorial compartment.
what part of the brain most commonly herniates through the tentorial notch? - Answer-
Uncus (medial part of temporal lobe)
does weakness occur on the same or opposite side of the uncal herniation? - Answer-
OPPOSITE. the corticospinal tract of the midbrain is compressed and then crosses at
the foramen magnum.
state: Ipsilateral/contralateral
____ pupillary dilation associated with _____ hemiparesis is the classic sign of uncial
herniation. - Answer-ipsi
contra
