ATLS Advanced Trauma Life Support Exam 2025

1. In managing a patient with a severe traumatic brain injury, the most important initial step is to: - Secure the airway 2. The best assessment of fluid resuscitation of the adult burn patient is: - Urinary output of 0.5mg/kg/hr 3. Bronchial intubation of the right or left mainstem bronchus can easily occur during infant endotracheal intubation because: - The trachea is shorter 4. The most important, immediate step in the management of an open pneumothorax is: - Placement of an occlusive dressing 5. Which physical exam finding best differentiates cardiac tamponade from tension pneumothorax in a hypotensive patient? - Breath sounds are absent in tension PTX, but not in tamponade. Both may present with JVD. 6. Which one of the following is the most effective method for initially treating frostbite? - Moist heat 7. Which situation requires Rh immunoglobulin administration to an injured woman? - Positive pregnancy test, Rh negative and torso trauma 8. Clinicians can quickly assess A, B, C, and D in a trauma patient (10-second assessment) by - asking the patient for his or her name, and asking what happened 9. A simple pneumothorax can be converted to a tension pneumothorax when - a patient is intubated (positive pressure) without first decompressing with a chest tube 10. Suspect a urethral injury in the presence of either - blood at the urethral meatus or perineal ecchymosis 11. Abdominal breathing /diaphragmatic breathing is seen with injuries below the level of - C3, due to intact diaphragmatic function but paralysis of accessory/intercostal muscles "C3-4-5 keep the diaphragm alive" 12. How many people does it take to properly remove a helmet while restricting cervical motion? - Two 13. What is the LEMON mnemonic for? Predicts difficult intubation: Look for facial trauma Evaluate 3-3-2 rule Mallampati score Obstruction Neck mobility 14. This maneuver reduces risk of aspiration during endotracheal intubation by obstructing the esophagus, but may also obstruct view of the larynx - Cricoid pressure 15. Placement of the GEB into the trachea may be detected by feeling - palpable "clicks" as the tip passes over the cartilaginous rings of the trachea 16. Confirm correct placement of endotracheal tube by - auscultating breath sounds bilaterally and using end-tidal capnography 17. What are borborygmi? - Inspiratory rumbling/gurgling noises in the epigastrium suggestive of incorrect endotracheal tube placement 18. Because of the potential for severe hyperkalemia, this agent must be used cautiously in patients with severe crush injuries, major burns, electrical injuries, prolonged bedrest and chronic spinal cord injury - Succinylcholine 19. After performing a needle cricothyroidotomy and connecting the cannula to oxygen, place the thumb over the open end of the Y-connector or side hole in this pattern - 1 second on, 4 seconds off 20. What limits the use of needle cricothyroidotomy to 30-45 minutes? - Inadequate exhalation and slow buildup of CO2 21. surgical cricothyroidotomy is not recommended for children under - 12 years of age 22. What kind of respiratory problem is suggested by combativeness vs. obtundation? Combativeness: hypoxia Obtundation: hypercapnia