ATLS Pre-Test Exam PRACTICE QUESTIONS AND
CORRECT DETAILED ANSWERS PLUS RATIONALES 2025
(VERIFIED ANSWERS) LATEST UPDATE
1. What is the first priority in the primary survey of a trauma patient?
A) Disability assessment
B) Airway management with cervical spine control
C) Breathing assessment
D) Circulation assessment
Answer: B) Airway management with cervical spine control
Rationale: The primary survey follows the ABCDE sequence, with airway
management (including cervical spine protection) as the first priority to ensure
oxygenation and prevent further injury.
2. What maneuver is recommended to open the airway in an unconscious
trauma patient with suspected cervical spine injury?
A) Head tilt-chin lift
B) Jaw-thrust maneuver
C) Neck extension
D) Oral airway insertion without head manipulation
Answer: B) Jaw-thrust maneuver
,Rationale: The jaw-thrust maneuver opens the airway without extending the
neck, which is essential in trauma patients with suspected cervical spine injury.
3. What is the most common cause of preventable death in trauma patients?
A) Tension pneumothorax
B) Airway obstruction
C) Massive hemorrhage
D) Traumatic brain injury
Answer: B) Airway obstruction
Rationale: Airway obstruction is the most common cause of preventable death
and must be addressed immediately during the primary survey.
4. In the evaluation of breathing, which clinical sign suggests a tension
pneumothorax?
A) Bilateral breath sounds
B) Tracheal deviation away from the affected side
C) Equal chest expansion
D) Bradycardia
Answer: B) Tracheal deviation away from the affected side
Rationale: Tension pneumothorax causes increased intrathoracic pressure,
shifting mediastinal structures including the trachea away from the affected side.
5. What is the initial treatment for a tension pneumothorax?
A) Chest tube insertion
B) Needle decompression followed by chest tube insertion
C) Intubation only
D) Oxygen administration
Answer: B) Needle decompression followed by chest tube insertion
,Rationale: Needle decompression immediately relieves pressure and is followed
by chest tube placement for definitive management.
6. During the circulation assessment, what is the most important initial
intervention?
A) Start IV fluids and control hemorrhage
B) Apply a tourniquet
C) Administer blood transfusion
D) Place the patient in Trendelenburg position
Answer: A) Start IV fluids and control hemorrhage
Rationale: Rapid IV fluid resuscitation and hemorrhage control are critical to
restore circulating volume and prevent shock.
7. Which of the following findings indicates shock in a trauma patient?
A) Bradycardia and hypertension
B) Tachycardia and hypotension
C) Normal pulse and blood pressure
D) Bradycardia and normal blood pressure
Answer: B) Tachycardia and hypotension
Rationale: Shock commonly presents with tachycardia as a compensatory
response and hypotension due to inadequate perfusion.
8. What does the “Disability” assessment focus on in the primary survey?
A) Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) and pupil assessment
B) Blood pressure and pulse rate
C) Skin color and temperature
D) Urine output
Answer: A) Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) and pupil assessment
, Rationale: Disability assessment evaluates neurological status using GCS and pupil
reaction to assess brain injury severity.
9. What is the appropriate method to assess circulation in a trauma patient?
A) Palpate distal pulses and evaluate skin color
B) Measure blood pressure only
C) Assess oxygen saturation
D) Perform ECG
Answer: A) Palpate distal pulses and evaluate skin color
Rationale: Palpating distal pulses and assessing skin color provide rapid
information about peripheral perfusion and circulation status.
10. What is the recommended fluid for initial resuscitation in trauma patients?
A) Packed red blood cells
B) Lactated Ringer’s solution or normal saline
C) Dextrose 5% in water
D) Albumin
Answer: B) Lactated Ringer’s solution or normal saline
Rationale: Crystalloids such as lactated Ringer’s or normal saline are first-line
fluids for volume resuscitation in trauma.
11. What type of shock is most commonly seen in trauma patients?
A) Cardiogenic shock
B) Neurogenic shock
C) Hypovolemic shock
D) Septic shock
Answer: C) Hypovolemic shock
CORRECT DETAILED ANSWERS PLUS RATIONALES 2025
(VERIFIED ANSWERS) LATEST UPDATE
1. What is the first priority in the primary survey of a trauma patient?
A) Disability assessment
B) Airway management with cervical spine control
C) Breathing assessment
D) Circulation assessment
Answer: B) Airway management with cervical spine control
Rationale: The primary survey follows the ABCDE sequence, with airway
management (including cervical spine protection) as the first priority to ensure
oxygenation and prevent further injury.
2. What maneuver is recommended to open the airway in an unconscious
trauma patient with suspected cervical spine injury?
A) Head tilt-chin lift
B) Jaw-thrust maneuver
C) Neck extension
D) Oral airway insertion without head manipulation
Answer: B) Jaw-thrust maneuver
,Rationale: The jaw-thrust maneuver opens the airway without extending the
neck, which is essential in trauma patients with suspected cervical spine injury.
3. What is the most common cause of preventable death in trauma patients?
A) Tension pneumothorax
B) Airway obstruction
C) Massive hemorrhage
D) Traumatic brain injury
Answer: B) Airway obstruction
Rationale: Airway obstruction is the most common cause of preventable death
and must be addressed immediately during the primary survey.
4. In the evaluation of breathing, which clinical sign suggests a tension
pneumothorax?
A) Bilateral breath sounds
B) Tracheal deviation away from the affected side
C) Equal chest expansion
D) Bradycardia
Answer: B) Tracheal deviation away from the affected side
Rationale: Tension pneumothorax causes increased intrathoracic pressure,
shifting mediastinal structures including the trachea away from the affected side.
5. What is the initial treatment for a tension pneumothorax?
A) Chest tube insertion
B) Needle decompression followed by chest tube insertion
C) Intubation only
D) Oxygen administration
Answer: B) Needle decompression followed by chest tube insertion
,Rationale: Needle decompression immediately relieves pressure and is followed
by chest tube placement for definitive management.
6. During the circulation assessment, what is the most important initial
intervention?
A) Start IV fluids and control hemorrhage
B) Apply a tourniquet
C) Administer blood transfusion
D) Place the patient in Trendelenburg position
Answer: A) Start IV fluids and control hemorrhage
Rationale: Rapid IV fluid resuscitation and hemorrhage control are critical to
restore circulating volume and prevent shock.
7. Which of the following findings indicates shock in a trauma patient?
A) Bradycardia and hypertension
B) Tachycardia and hypotension
C) Normal pulse and blood pressure
D) Bradycardia and normal blood pressure
Answer: B) Tachycardia and hypotension
Rationale: Shock commonly presents with tachycardia as a compensatory
response and hypotension due to inadequate perfusion.
8. What does the “Disability” assessment focus on in the primary survey?
A) Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) and pupil assessment
B) Blood pressure and pulse rate
C) Skin color and temperature
D) Urine output
Answer: A) Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) and pupil assessment
, Rationale: Disability assessment evaluates neurological status using GCS and pupil
reaction to assess brain injury severity.
9. What is the appropriate method to assess circulation in a trauma patient?
A) Palpate distal pulses and evaluate skin color
B) Measure blood pressure only
C) Assess oxygen saturation
D) Perform ECG
Answer: A) Palpate distal pulses and evaluate skin color
Rationale: Palpating distal pulses and assessing skin color provide rapid
information about peripheral perfusion and circulation status.
10. What is the recommended fluid for initial resuscitation in trauma patients?
A) Packed red blood cells
B) Lactated Ringer’s solution or normal saline
C) Dextrose 5% in water
D) Albumin
Answer: B) Lactated Ringer’s solution or normal saline
Rationale: Crystalloids such as lactated Ringer’s or normal saline are first-line
fluids for volume resuscitation in trauma.
11. What type of shock is most commonly seen in trauma patients?
A) Cardiogenic shock
B) Neurogenic shock
C) Hypovolemic shock
D) Septic shock
Answer: C) Hypovolemic shock
