ATLS 10th Edition PRACTICE EXAM |NEWEST
EXAM QUESTIONS AND CORRECT DETAILED
ANSWERS 2025 (VERIFIED ANSWERS)
1. What is the primary survey sequence in ATLS?
A) Airway, Breathing, Circulation, Disability, Exposure
B) Airway, Circulation, Breathing, Disability, Exposure
C) Breathing, Airway, Circulation, Disability, Exposure
D) Circulation, Airway, Breathing, Disability, Exposure
Answer: A) Airway, Breathing, Circulation, Disability, Exposure
Rationale:
The ATLS primary survey follows the ABCDE mnemonic to identify and treat life-
threatening conditions in order of priority:
• A: Airway maintenance with cervical spine protection
• B: Breathing and ventilation
• C: Circulation with hemorrhage control
• D: Disability (neurological status)
• E: Exposure and environmental control
2. In a trauma patient with suspected cervical spine injury, what is the correct
method to open the airway?
,A) Head tilt-chin lift
B) Jaw thrust maneuver
C) Nasopharyngeal airway insertion without immobilization
D) Blind finger sweep
Answer: B) Jaw thrust maneuver
Rationale:
In trauma patients with possible cervical spine injury, jaw thrust is preferred as it
minimizes cervical spine movement. The head tilt-chin lift can cause neck
extension and worsen spinal injury. Nasopharyngeal airway may be used if no
contraindications, but immobilization must be maintained.
3. Which of the following is the most sensitive indicator of shock in trauma
patients?
A) Blood pressure
B) Heart rate
C) Urine output
D) Mental status
Answer: D) Mental status
Rationale:
Changes in mental status (e.g., anxiety, confusion, agitation) often occur early in
shock and are more sensitive than blood pressure or heart rate, which may remain
normal until significant blood loss has occurred.
4. What is the recommended fluid resuscitation in a trauma patient with
hemorrhagic shock?
A) Large volume isotonic crystalloid bolus (2 liters) initially
B) Small volume hypertonic saline bolus
C) Immediate blood transfusion without crystalloids
D) Colloid solutions only
Answer: A) Large volume isotonic crystalloid bolus (2 liters) initially
,Rationale:
Initial resuscitation in hemorrhagic shock typically begins with isotonic crystalloid
(normal saline or lactated Ringer’s) in a 1-2 L bolus to restore circulating volume
before blood products are administered.
5. In a patient with a tension pneumothorax, what is the immediate
intervention?
A) Needle decompression in the 2nd intercostal space, midclavicular line
B) Chest tube insertion at the 4th intercostal space, anterior axillary line
C) Endotracheal intubation
D) Administration of high-flow oxygen only
Answer: A) Needle decompression in the 2nd intercostal space, midclavicular
line
Rationale:
Tension pneumothorax is a life-threatening condition causing mediastinal shift
and impaired venous return. Immediate needle decompression relieves pressure,
followed by definitive chest tube placement.
6. What is the Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) score range indicating severe
traumatic brain injury?
A) 3-8
B) 9-12
C) 13-15
D) 15 only
Answer: A) 3-8
Rationale:
A GCS of 3 to 8 indicates severe brain injury and often requires airway protection
and intensive monitoring.
, 7. When should a FAST (Focused Assessment with Sonography for Trauma)
exam be performed?
A) After the primary survey if the patient is hemodynamically stable
B) Immediately on arrival in all trauma patients
C) Only if the patient is unstable and has obvious abdominal injury
D) After the secondary survey
Answer: A) After the primary survey if the patient is hemodynamically stable
Rationale:
FAST exam is a quick bedside ultrasound to identify free fluid (hemoperitoneum or
hemopericardium). It is typically performed after the primary survey, especially if
the patient is stable enough for imaging.
8. What is the key sign of an open pneumothorax?
A) Tracheal deviation
B) Sucking chest wound
C) Dullness to percussion
D) Bilateral breath sounds
Answer: B) Sucking chest wound
Rationale:
An open pneumothorax results in air entering the pleural space through a chest
wall defect during inspiration, causing a sucking sound at the wound site.
9. What is the preferred definitive airway in a patient with facial trauma and
severe airway compromise?
A) Endotracheal intubation via oral route
B) Nasotracheal intubation
C) Surgical cricothyroidotomy
D) Non-rebreather mask
Answer: C) Surgical cricothyroidotomy
EXAM QUESTIONS AND CORRECT DETAILED
ANSWERS 2025 (VERIFIED ANSWERS)
1. What is the primary survey sequence in ATLS?
A) Airway, Breathing, Circulation, Disability, Exposure
B) Airway, Circulation, Breathing, Disability, Exposure
C) Breathing, Airway, Circulation, Disability, Exposure
D) Circulation, Airway, Breathing, Disability, Exposure
Answer: A) Airway, Breathing, Circulation, Disability, Exposure
Rationale:
The ATLS primary survey follows the ABCDE mnemonic to identify and treat life-
threatening conditions in order of priority:
• A: Airway maintenance with cervical spine protection
• B: Breathing and ventilation
• C: Circulation with hemorrhage control
• D: Disability (neurological status)
• E: Exposure and environmental control
2. In a trauma patient with suspected cervical spine injury, what is the correct
method to open the airway?
,A) Head tilt-chin lift
B) Jaw thrust maneuver
C) Nasopharyngeal airway insertion without immobilization
D) Blind finger sweep
Answer: B) Jaw thrust maneuver
Rationale:
In trauma patients with possible cervical spine injury, jaw thrust is preferred as it
minimizes cervical spine movement. The head tilt-chin lift can cause neck
extension and worsen spinal injury. Nasopharyngeal airway may be used if no
contraindications, but immobilization must be maintained.
3. Which of the following is the most sensitive indicator of shock in trauma
patients?
A) Blood pressure
B) Heart rate
C) Urine output
D) Mental status
Answer: D) Mental status
Rationale:
Changes in mental status (e.g., anxiety, confusion, agitation) often occur early in
shock and are more sensitive than blood pressure or heart rate, which may remain
normal until significant blood loss has occurred.
4. What is the recommended fluid resuscitation in a trauma patient with
hemorrhagic shock?
A) Large volume isotonic crystalloid bolus (2 liters) initially
B) Small volume hypertonic saline bolus
C) Immediate blood transfusion without crystalloids
D) Colloid solutions only
Answer: A) Large volume isotonic crystalloid bolus (2 liters) initially
,Rationale:
Initial resuscitation in hemorrhagic shock typically begins with isotonic crystalloid
(normal saline or lactated Ringer’s) in a 1-2 L bolus to restore circulating volume
before blood products are administered.
5. In a patient with a tension pneumothorax, what is the immediate
intervention?
A) Needle decompression in the 2nd intercostal space, midclavicular line
B) Chest tube insertion at the 4th intercostal space, anterior axillary line
C) Endotracheal intubation
D) Administration of high-flow oxygen only
Answer: A) Needle decompression in the 2nd intercostal space, midclavicular
line
Rationale:
Tension pneumothorax is a life-threatening condition causing mediastinal shift
and impaired venous return. Immediate needle decompression relieves pressure,
followed by definitive chest tube placement.
6. What is the Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) score range indicating severe
traumatic brain injury?
A) 3-8
B) 9-12
C) 13-15
D) 15 only
Answer: A) 3-8
Rationale:
A GCS of 3 to 8 indicates severe brain injury and often requires airway protection
and intensive monitoring.
, 7. When should a FAST (Focused Assessment with Sonography for Trauma)
exam be performed?
A) After the primary survey if the patient is hemodynamically stable
B) Immediately on arrival in all trauma patients
C) Only if the patient is unstable and has obvious abdominal injury
D) After the secondary survey
Answer: A) After the primary survey if the patient is hemodynamically stable
Rationale:
FAST exam is a quick bedside ultrasound to identify free fluid (hemoperitoneum or
hemopericardium). It is typically performed after the primary survey, especially if
the patient is stable enough for imaging.
8. What is the key sign of an open pneumothorax?
A) Tracheal deviation
B) Sucking chest wound
C) Dullness to percussion
D) Bilateral breath sounds
Answer: B) Sucking chest wound
Rationale:
An open pneumothorax results in air entering the pleural space through a chest
wall defect during inspiration, causing a sucking sound at the wound site.
9. What is the preferred definitive airway in a patient with facial trauma and
severe airway compromise?
A) Endotracheal intubation via oral route
B) Nasotracheal intubation
C) Surgical cricothyroidotomy
D) Non-rebreather mask
Answer: C) Surgical cricothyroidotomy
