ITLS Exam Preparation Questions & Answers
100% Correct!!
What is a Scene Size-Up? - ANSWERObservations made and actions taken at a trauma scene before
actually approaching the patient. It is the initial step in the ITLS Primary Survey
What does "OPIM" stand for? - ANSWEROther Potentially Infectious Material
What equipment should you always take with you for trauma patients? - ANSWER-PPE (Personal
Protection Equipment)
-Patient transport device (stretcher, long spine board, and so on) with effective strapping and head
motion-restriction device
-Rigid cervical extrication collar of an appropriate size
-Oxygen and airway equipment, which should include suction equipment and a BVM (Bag-Valve
Mask)
-Trauma box (bandage material, hemostatic agent, tourniquet, blood pressure cuff, stethoscope)
What are some of the potential injury patterns for a mechanism of Injury of frontal impact? (Name 8)
- ANSWER-Cervical-spine fracture
-Flail chest
-Myocardial contusion
-Pneumothorax
-Aortic disruption
-Spleen or liver laceration
-Posterior hip dislocation
-Knee dislocation
What are some of the potential injury patterns for a mechanism of lateral impact (T-bone)? (Name 8)
- ANSWER-Contralateral neck sprain
-Cervical-spine fracture
-Lateral flail chest
,-Pneumothorax
-Aortic disruption
-Diaphragmatic rupture
-Laceration of liver, kidney or spleen
-Pelvic fracture
What are potential injury patterns for a mechanism of ejection? - ANSWERExposure to all
mechanisms (and mortality increased)
What are some of the potential injury patterns for a mechanism of Injury of pedestrian vs. car?
(Name 4) - ANSWER-Head injury
-Aortic disruption
-Abdominal visceral injuries
-Fracture pelvis and lower extremities
What is "index of suspicion"? - ANSWERThe medical provider's estimate of a disease or injury being
present in a patient. A high index of suspicion means there is a high probability the injury is present.
A low index of suspicion means there is a low risk of the injury.
List the two basic mechanisms of motion injury - ANSWERBlunt and penetrating
Identify the three collisions associated with a motor-vehicle collision (MVC) - ANSWER1. Machine
collision
2. Body collision
3. Organ collision resulting in rupture, shearing, or bruising
Name the five common forms of MVCs - ANSWER1. Frontal-impact (head-on collision)
2. Lateral-impact (T-bone collision)
3. Rear-impact collision
4. Rollover collision
5. Rotational collision
,Using the three collisions associated with a MVC, relate at least three frontal-impact collisions to
potential patient injuries to deformity of the vehicle, interior structures and body structures. -
ANSWERMachine collision = Deformed front end
Body collision = Spider-web pattern of windshield
Organ collision = Coup/contracoup brain, soft-tissue injury (scalp, face, neck), hyperextension/flexion
of the cervical spine
Machine collision = Deformed front end
Body collision = Steering wheel ring fracture, deformity and column displacement
Organ collision = Traumatic tattooing of patient's skin
Machine collision = Deformity of vehicle
Body collision = Dashboard fracture and deformity
Organ collision = Facial trauma, coup/contracoup brain, hyperextension/flexion of the cervical spine,
pelvis, hip and knee trauma
Using the three collisions associated with a MVC, relate at least three lateral-impact collisions to
potential patient injuries to deformity of the vehicle, interior structures and body structures. -
ANSWERMachine collision = Deformed driver or passenger side
Body collision = Degree of door deformity (ex: armrest bent, outward or inward bowing of door)
Organ collision = This cannot be predicted by external exam alone. Instead, consider organs beneath
areas of external injury:
-Head = Coup/contracoup
-Neck = Ranging from cervical-muscle strain to fracture or subluxation with neurologic deficit
-Upper arm and shoulder = Injuries appear on the side of the impact and are common, as are injuries
to the lower extremities
-Thorax/abdomen = Injuries from soft-tissue injuries to flail chest, lung contusion, pneumothorax,
hemothorax, or possible traumatic aortic dissection. Injuries include those to solid and hollow organs
-Pelvis/legs = Pelvic, hip or femur fractures. Pelvic injuries may also include dislocation, bladder
rupture and urethral injuries
Describe potential injuries associated with proper and improper use of seat restraints, headrest and
air bags in a head-on collision - ANSWERProper use of seat restraint = Facial, head or neck injuries
such as fractures, dislocations or spinal-cord injuries; Clavicle fractures (at the point where the chest
strap crosses) and chest-wall injuries; Internal organ damage
, Improper use of seat restraint = Abdominal or lumbar spine injury; No restraint could possibly lead to
ejection of vehicle
Improper use of headrest = (second impact) Hyperextension of the cervical spine
Proper use of air bags = Injuries from a second impact after deflation can lead to striking the steering
wheel leading to internal injuries (thus, check under the deflated air bag for mechanical deformity;
Leg, pelvis or abdominal injuries; Abrasions from the nylon bag, corneal abrasions and superficial
burns on arms in the vicinity of the airbag vents
Describe at least two potential injuries from rear-end collisions - ANSWER-Hyperextension of the
cervical spine (if headrest too low)
-lumbar-spine injury (if the seat breaks and falls backwards)
*Rapid forward deceleration can occur from striking something in front after being struck from
behind, thus leading to front impact injuries.
How many more times is a person likely to die if they are ejected from a vehicle during an accident? -
ANSWER25
What four questions are used as a checklist in scene stabilization for a tractor accident? - ANSWER1.
Is the engine off?
2. Are the rear wheels locked?
3. Has the fuel situation and fire hazards been addressed?
4. Are there hydraulic fluid leaks or radiator leaks?
Describe the three assessment criteria for falls - ANSWER1. Distance of fall
2. Anatomic area impacted
3. Surface struck
What are at least six anticipated injuries from a fall? - ANSWER-Fractures of the feet or legs
-Hip and/or pelvic injuries
-Axial loading to the lumbar and cervical spine
-Vertebrae compression fracture
100% Correct!!
What is a Scene Size-Up? - ANSWERObservations made and actions taken at a trauma scene before
actually approaching the patient. It is the initial step in the ITLS Primary Survey
What does "OPIM" stand for? - ANSWEROther Potentially Infectious Material
What equipment should you always take with you for trauma patients? - ANSWER-PPE (Personal
Protection Equipment)
-Patient transport device (stretcher, long spine board, and so on) with effective strapping and head
motion-restriction device
-Rigid cervical extrication collar of an appropriate size
-Oxygen and airway equipment, which should include suction equipment and a BVM (Bag-Valve
Mask)
-Trauma box (bandage material, hemostatic agent, tourniquet, blood pressure cuff, stethoscope)
What are some of the potential injury patterns for a mechanism of Injury of frontal impact? (Name 8)
- ANSWER-Cervical-spine fracture
-Flail chest
-Myocardial contusion
-Pneumothorax
-Aortic disruption
-Spleen or liver laceration
-Posterior hip dislocation
-Knee dislocation
What are some of the potential injury patterns for a mechanism of lateral impact (T-bone)? (Name 8)
- ANSWER-Contralateral neck sprain
-Cervical-spine fracture
-Lateral flail chest
,-Pneumothorax
-Aortic disruption
-Diaphragmatic rupture
-Laceration of liver, kidney or spleen
-Pelvic fracture
What are potential injury patterns for a mechanism of ejection? - ANSWERExposure to all
mechanisms (and mortality increased)
What are some of the potential injury patterns for a mechanism of Injury of pedestrian vs. car?
(Name 4) - ANSWER-Head injury
-Aortic disruption
-Abdominal visceral injuries
-Fracture pelvis and lower extremities
What is "index of suspicion"? - ANSWERThe medical provider's estimate of a disease or injury being
present in a patient. A high index of suspicion means there is a high probability the injury is present.
A low index of suspicion means there is a low risk of the injury.
List the two basic mechanisms of motion injury - ANSWERBlunt and penetrating
Identify the three collisions associated with a motor-vehicle collision (MVC) - ANSWER1. Machine
collision
2. Body collision
3. Organ collision resulting in rupture, shearing, or bruising
Name the five common forms of MVCs - ANSWER1. Frontal-impact (head-on collision)
2. Lateral-impact (T-bone collision)
3. Rear-impact collision
4. Rollover collision
5. Rotational collision
,Using the three collisions associated with a MVC, relate at least three frontal-impact collisions to
potential patient injuries to deformity of the vehicle, interior structures and body structures. -
ANSWERMachine collision = Deformed front end
Body collision = Spider-web pattern of windshield
Organ collision = Coup/contracoup brain, soft-tissue injury (scalp, face, neck), hyperextension/flexion
of the cervical spine
Machine collision = Deformed front end
Body collision = Steering wheel ring fracture, deformity and column displacement
Organ collision = Traumatic tattooing of patient's skin
Machine collision = Deformity of vehicle
Body collision = Dashboard fracture and deformity
Organ collision = Facial trauma, coup/contracoup brain, hyperextension/flexion of the cervical spine,
pelvis, hip and knee trauma
Using the three collisions associated with a MVC, relate at least three lateral-impact collisions to
potential patient injuries to deformity of the vehicle, interior structures and body structures. -
ANSWERMachine collision = Deformed driver or passenger side
Body collision = Degree of door deformity (ex: armrest bent, outward or inward bowing of door)
Organ collision = This cannot be predicted by external exam alone. Instead, consider organs beneath
areas of external injury:
-Head = Coup/contracoup
-Neck = Ranging from cervical-muscle strain to fracture or subluxation with neurologic deficit
-Upper arm and shoulder = Injuries appear on the side of the impact and are common, as are injuries
to the lower extremities
-Thorax/abdomen = Injuries from soft-tissue injuries to flail chest, lung contusion, pneumothorax,
hemothorax, or possible traumatic aortic dissection. Injuries include those to solid and hollow organs
-Pelvis/legs = Pelvic, hip or femur fractures. Pelvic injuries may also include dislocation, bladder
rupture and urethral injuries
Describe potential injuries associated with proper and improper use of seat restraints, headrest and
air bags in a head-on collision - ANSWERProper use of seat restraint = Facial, head or neck injuries
such as fractures, dislocations or spinal-cord injuries; Clavicle fractures (at the point where the chest
strap crosses) and chest-wall injuries; Internal organ damage
, Improper use of seat restraint = Abdominal or lumbar spine injury; No restraint could possibly lead to
ejection of vehicle
Improper use of headrest = (second impact) Hyperextension of the cervical spine
Proper use of air bags = Injuries from a second impact after deflation can lead to striking the steering
wheel leading to internal injuries (thus, check under the deflated air bag for mechanical deformity;
Leg, pelvis or abdominal injuries; Abrasions from the nylon bag, corneal abrasions and superficial
burns on arms in the vicinity of the airbag vents
Describe at least two potential injuries from rear-end collisions - ANSWER-Hyperextension of the
cervical spine (if headrest too low)
-lumbar-spine injury (if the seat breaks and falls backwards)
*Rapid forward deceleration can occur from striking something in front after being struck from
behind, thus leading to front impact injuries.
How many more times is a person likely to die if they are ejected from a vehicle during an accident? -
ANSWER25
What four questions are used as a checklist in scene stabilization for a tractor accident? - ANSWER1.
Is the engine off?
2. Are the rear wheels locked?
3. Has the fuel situation and fire hazards been addressed?
4. Are there hydraulic fluid leaks or radiator leaks?
Describe the three assessment criteria for falls - ANSWER1. Distance of fall
2. Anatomic area impacted
3. Surface struck
What are at least six anticipated injuries from a fall? - ANSWER-Fractures of the feet or legs
-Hip and/or pelvic injuries
-Axial loading to the lumbar and cervical spine
-Vertebrae compression fracture
