ATLS EXAM (2025) || All Questions &
Answers (Graded A+)
Loss of subcutaneous fat, nutritional deficiencies, chronic medical conditions place
elderly patients as risk for hypothermia and complications for immobility. - ANSWER -
Rapid evaluation and when possible early liberation from spine boards and cervical
collars will minimize complications.
True or False: Fall prevention is the mainstay of reducing the mortality associated with
pelvic fractures. - ANSWER - true
poor hygiene, dehydration, oral injury, contusions affecting the inner arms, inner thighs,
palms, soles, scalp, ear, nasal bridge and temple injury from being struck while wearing
glasses, contact burns and scalds. These are all signs of.......? - ANSWER - Elder
maltreatment. The presence of physical findings of maltreatment should prompt a
detailed history. if history conflicts with findings, immediately report findings to
authorities.
True of false: early activation of the trauma team may be required for elderly patients
who do not meet traditional criteria for activation - ANSWER - True. A simple injury such
as an open tibia fracture in a frail elderly patient may become life threatening.
Common mechanisms of injury include falls, MVC, burns, and penetrating injuries -
ANSWER - common injuries in the elderly include rib fractures, TBI, pelvic fractures
The best initial treatment for the fetus is to provide optimal resuscitation of the mother.
True or False? - ANSWER - True. Also if xray examination is indicated during the
pregnant patient's treatment, it should not be withheld because of the pregnancy.
What happens as the uterus enlarged and the bowel is pushed cephalad. - ANSWER -
When the uterus enlarges it pushes the bowel cephalad and the uterus lies in the upper
abdomen. As a result, the bowel is somewhat protected from blunt abdominal trauma,
whereas the uterus and its contents (fetus and placenta) become more vulnerable.
Uterus remains intrapelvic until 12 weeks and then at 20 weeks it is at the umbilicus,
and at 34-36 weeks it reaches the costal margin.
Amniotic fluid can cause amniotic fluid embolism and disseminated intravascular
coagulation following trauma if fluid enters maternal intravascular space. True or False -
ANSWER - True
By the third trimester, what is the complication of trauma to the pelvis of the mother? -
ANSWER - by the third trimester, the uterus is large and thin walled. In vertex
presentation, fetal head is usually in the pelvis and the remainder of the fetus is
exposed above the pelvic brim. Pelvic fractures in late gestation can result in skull
,fracture or intracranial injury to the fetus. Also we can have a placental abruption due to
its little elasticity and vulnerability to sheer forces.
An abrupt decrease in maternal intravascular volume can result in a profound increase
in uterine vascular resistance reducing fetal oxygenation despite reasonably normal
maternal vital signs. - ANSWER - this is true
Physiological anemia of pregnancy - ANSWER - A smaller increase in red blood cell
volume can occur resulting in a decreased hematocrit level. Thus, in late pregnancy a
hematocrit of 31-33% is normal.
Healthy pregnancy patients can lose 1200-1500 mL of blood before exhibiting signs and
symptoms of hypovolemia. How can this manifest? - ANSWER - this amount of
hemorrhage may be reflected by fetal distress as evidenced by an abnormal fetal heart
rate.
What are some of the lab changes in pregnancy? - ANSWER - WBC increases to
12000 and during labor can be 25000. Fibrinogen and other clotting factors are mildly
elevated and PT and pTT are shortened, but bleeding time and clotting time are
unchanged.
After the 10th week of pregnancy, cardiac output can increase 1.0-1.5 L/min because of
the increase in plasma volume and decrease in vascular resistance of the uterus and
placenta. - ANSWER - The placenta receives 20% of the patient's cardiac output during
the 3rd trimester. In supine position, vena cava compression can decrease cardiac
output by 30% because of decreased venous return from lower extremities.
During pregnancy the heart rate increases to a maximum of 10-15 beats per minute
over baseline by the third trimester. - ANSWER - this heart rate must be considered
when interpreting a tachycardic response to hypovolemia.
True or false? Although the mechanism of injury may be similar to those for the younger
population, data shows increased mortality with similar severity of injury in older adults.
- ANSWER - True
In the elderly population, what is decreased physiological reserve? - ANSWER - aging
is characterized by impaired adaptive and homeostatic mechanisms that caused an
increased susceptibility to the stress of injury. Insults tolerated by the younger
population can lead to devastating results in elderly patients.
Pre-existing conditions that affect morbidity and mortality include: - ANSWER - cirrhosis,
coagulopathy, COPD, ischemic heart disease, DM
, What is the most common mechanism of injury in the elderly? - ANSWER - Fall.
Nonfatal falls are common in women and fractures are common in women who fall.
Falls are the most common cause of TBI.
In the elderly population, what are risk factors for falls? - ANSWER - advanced age,
physical impairment, history of previous fall, medication use, dementia, unsteady gait,
and visual, cognitive impairment
Most of elderly traffic fatalities occur in the daytime and on weekends and typically
involve other vehicles. Why? - ANSWER - Older people drive on more familiar roads
and at lower speeds and tend to drive during the day. Older people have slower
reaction time, a larger blind spot, limited cervical mobility, decreased hearing, and
cognitive impairment.
True or False? Mortality associated with small to moderate sized burns in older adults
remains high - ANSWER - True
Spilled hot liquids on the leg, which in younger patients may re-epithelialize due to an
adequate number of hair follicles, will result in a full thickness burn in older patients. -
ANSWER - this is true
Airway-patients may have dentures that may loosen or obstruct the airway. If dentures
are not obstructing the airway, leave them in place for what? - ANSWER - bag mask
ventilation, as it improves mask fitting.
When preforming rapid sequence intubation, the dose of benzos, barbiturates, and
other sedatives should be reduced to what percentage to minimize the risk of
cardiovascular depression? - ANSWER - 20-40%
Functional changes in cardiac system include declining function, decreased sensitivity
to catecholamines, atherosclerosis of coronary vessels, increased afterload, fixed heart
rate (beta blockers) - ANSWER - this results in lack of classic response to hypovolemia,
risk for cardiac ischemia, elevated BP at baseline, and increased risk of dysrythmias.
Functional changes in pulmonary system include decreased elastic recoil, reduced
residual capacity, decreased gas exchange and decreased cough reflex - ANSWER -
thus they are at increased risk for respiratory failure, increased risk for pneumonia, and
poor tolerance to rib fractures
Functional changes in renal system include loss of renal mass, decreased GFR, and
decreased sensitivity to ADH and aldosterone - ANSWER - resulting in drug dosing for
renal insufficiency, decreased ability to concentrate urine, increased risk for AKI and
urine flow may be normal with hypovolemia
Functional changes to MSK include loss of lean body mass, osteoporosis, changes in
joints and cartilage, c spine degenerative changes and loss of skin elastin and
Answers (Graded A+)
Loss of subcutaneous fat, nutritional deficiencies, chronic medical conditions place
elderly patients as risk for hypothermia and complications for immobility. - ANSWER -
Rapid evaluation and when possible early liberation from spine boards and cervical
collars will minimize complications.
True or False: Fall prevention is the mainstay of reducing the mortality associated with
pelvic fractures. - ANSWER - true
poor hygiene, dehydration, oral injury, contusions affecting the inner arms, inner thighs,
palms, soles, scalp, ear, nasal bridge and temple injury from being struck while wearing
glasses, contact burns and scalds. These are all signs of.......? - ANSWER - Elder
maltreatment. The presence of physical findings of maltreatment should prompt a
detailed history. if history conflicts with findings, immediately report findings to
authorities.
True of false: early activation of the trauma team may be required for elderly patients
who do not meet traditional criteria for activation - ANSWER - True. A simple injury such
as an open tibia fracture in a frail elderly patient may become life threatening.
Common mechanisms of injury include falls, MVC, burns, and penetrating injuries -
ANSWER - common injuries in the elderly include rib fractures, TBI, pelvic fractures
The best initial treatment for the fetus is to provide optimal resuscitation of the mother.
True or False? - ANSWER - True. Also if xray examination is indicated during the
pregnant patient's treatment, it should not be withheld because of the pregnancy.
What happens as the uterus enlarged and the bowel is pushed cephalad. - ANSWER -
When the uterus enlarges it pushes the bowel cephalad and the uterus lies in the upper
abdomen. As a result, the bowel is somewhat protected from blunt abdominal trauma,
whereas the uterus and its contents (fetus and placenta) become more vulnerable.
Uterus remains intrapelvic until 12 weeks and then at 20 weeks it is at the umbilicus,
and at 34-36 weeks it reaches the costal margin.
Amniotic fluid can cause amniotic fluid embolism and disseminated intravascular
coagulation following trauma if fluid enters maternal intravascular space. True or False -
ANSWER - True
By the third trimester, what is the complication of trauma to the pelvis of the mother? -
ANSWER - by the third trimester, the uterus is large and thin walled. In vertex
presentation, fetal head is usually in the pelvis and the remainder of the fetus is
exposed above the pelvic brim. Pelvic fractures in late gestation can result in skull
,fracture or intracranial injury to the fetus. Also we can have a placental abruption due to
its little elasticity and vulnerability to sheer forces.
An abrupt decrease in maternal intravascular volume can result in a profound increase
in uterine vascular resistance reducing fetal oxygenation despite reasonably normal
maternal vital signs. - ANSWER - this is true
Physiological anemia of pregnancy - ANSWER - A smaller increase in red blood cell
volume can occur resulting in a decreased hematocrit level. Thus, in late pregnancy a
hematocrit of 31-33% is normal.
Healthy pregnancy patients can lose 1200-1500 mL of blood before exhibiting signs and
symptoms of hypovolemia. How can this manifest? - ANSWER - this amount of
hemorrhage may be reflected by fetal distress as evidenced by an abnormal fetal heart
rate.
What are some of the lab changes in pregnancy? - ANSWER - WBC increases to
12000 and during labor can be 25000. Fibrinogen and other clotting factors are mildly
elevated and PT and pTT are shortened, but bleeding time and clotting time are
unchanged.
After the 10th week of pregnancy, cardiac output can increase 1.0-1.5 L/min because of
the increase in plasma volume and decrease in vascular resistance of the uterus and
placenta. - ANSWER - The placenta receives 20% of the patient's cardiac output during
the 3rd trimester. In supine position, vena cava compression can decrease cardiac
output by 30% because of decreased venous return from lower extremities.
During pregnancy the heart rate increases to a maximum of 10-15 beats per minute
over baseline by the third trimester. - ANSWER - this heart rate must be considered
when interpreting a tachycardic response to hypovolemia.
True or false? Although the mechanism of injury may be similar to those for the younger
population, data shows increased mortality with similar severity of injury in older adults.
- ANSWER - True
In the elderly population, what is decreased physiological reserve? - ANSWER - aging
is characterized by impaired adaptive and homeostatic mechanisms that caused an
increased susceptibility to the stress of injury. Insults tolerated by the younger
population can lead to devastating results in elderly patients.
Pre-existing conditions that affect morbidity and mortality include: - ANSWER - cirrhosis,
coagulopathy, COPD, ischemic heart disease, DM
, What is the most common mechanism of injury in the elderly? - ANSWER - Fall.
Nonfatal falls are common in women and fractures are common in women who fall.
Falls are the most common cause of TBI.
In the elderly population, what are risk factors for falls? - ANSWER - advanced age,
physical impairment, history of previous fall, medication use, dementia, unsteady gait,
and visual, cognitive impairment
Most of elderly traffic fatalities occur in the daytime and on weekends and typically
involve other vehicles. Why? - ANSWER - Older people drive on more familiar roads
and at lower speeds and tend to drive during the day. Older people have slower
reaction time, a larger blind spot, limited cervical mobility, decreased hearing, and
cognitive impairment.
True or False? Mortality associated with small to moderate sized burns in older adults
remains high - ANSWER - True
Spilled hot liquids on the leg, which in younger patients may re-epithelialize due to an
adequate number of hair follicles, will result in a full thickness burn in older patients. -
ANSWER - this is true
Airway-patients may have dentures that may loosen or obstruct the airway. If dentures
are not obstructing the airway, leave them in place for what? - ANSWER - bag mask
ventilation, as it improves mask fitting.
When preforming rapid sequence intubation, the dose of benzos, barbiturates, and
other sedatives should be reduced to what percentage to minimize the risk of
cardiovascular depression? - ANSWER - 20-40%
Functional changes in cardiac system include declining function, decreased sensitivity
to catecholamines, atherosclerosis of coronary vessels, increased afterload, fixed heart
rate (beta blockers) - ANSWER - this results in lack of classic response to hypovolemia,
risk for cardiac ischemia, elevated BP at baseline, and increased risk of dysrythmias.
Functional changes in pulmonary system include decreased elastic recoil, reduced
residual capacity, decreased gas exchange and decreased cough reflex - ANSWER -
thus they are at increased risk for respiratory failure, increased risk for pneumonia, and
poor tolerance to rib fractures
Functional changes in renal system include loss of renal mass, decreased GFR, and
decreased sensitivity to ADH and aldosterone - ANSWER - resulting in drug dosing for
renal insufficiency, decreased ability to concentrate urine, increased risk for AKI and
urine flow may be normal with hypovolemia
Functional changes to MSK include loss of lean body mass, osteoporosis, changes in
joints and cartilage, c spine degenerative changes and loss of skin elastin and
