Advanced Trauma Life Support Course
Questions with Correct Answers 2025
What is the lethal triad? - CORRECT ANSWER --Acidosis
- Hypothermia
- Coagulopathy
(As one of these variables worsen it will cause the other two to worsen as well, driving the
patient closer towards death.)
What is the threshold for each of the following vital signs that in and of itself would trigger
transport to a Trauma Center for an average adult < 55: Glasgow Coma Scale, Systolic Blood
Pressure, or Respiratory Rate? - CORRECT ANSWER -GCS: < or = 13
SBP: < 90 mm HG
Respiratory Rate: < 10 or > 29 breaths per minute (<20 infants < 1 year) or need for ventilatory
support
What specific anatomical injuries go to a trauma center? - CORRECT ANSWER -- All penetrating
injuries proximal to the knee and/or elbow.
- Chest wall instability or deformity
- Two or more proximal long bone fractures
- Crushed, degloved, mangled, or pulseless extremity
- Amputation proximal to wrist or ankle
- Pelvic Fracture
- Open or depressed skull fracture
- Paralysis
, A fall from what height triggers transport to a trauma center for an adult? For a child? -
CORRECT ANSWER -Adult > 20 feet or 6 meters (2 stories)
Children > 10 feet or 3 meters (2-3x height of child)
What criteria determines if a motor vehicle crash is "high risk" and subsequently if those
involved need transport to a trauma center? - CORRECT ANSWER -Any of the following:
- Intrusion, including roof: 12 inches (30 cm) occupant side or > 18 inches on any side
- Ejection (partial or complete) from vehicle
- Death in the same passenger compartment
- Vehicle telemetry data consistent with high risk of injury
What is the average minimum speed necessary for a motor vehicle to strike a
pedestrian/bicyclist that would trigger transport to a trauma center? - CORRECT ANSWER -> 20
mph
What is the average minimum speed that a motorcyclist must be traveling at during a crash that
would trigger transport to a Trauma Center? - CORRECT ANSWER -> 20 mph
At what age does the risk of injury/death to an adult begin to increase? - CORRECT ANSWER -55
years of age
After the age of 65, what systolic blood pressure, in a trauma injury, might represent shock? -
CORRECT ANSWER -SBP < 110
Children with trauma injuries should be preferentially transported to an adult or pediatric-
capable trauma center? - CORRECT ANSWER -Pediatric - Capable Trauma Center
At how many weeks of pregnancy do women involved in an MVC automatically get sent to a
Trauma Center? - CORRECT ANSWER -> 20 weeks
Questions with Correct Answers 2025
What is the lethal triad? - CORRECT ANSWER --Acidosis
- Hypothermia
- Coagulopathy
(As one of these variables worsen it will cause the other two to worsen as well, driving the
patient closer towards death.)
What is the threshold for each of the following vital signs that in and of itself would trigger
transport to a Trauma Center for an average adult < 55: Glasgow Coma Scale, Systolic Blood
Pressure, or Respiratory Rate? - CORRECT ANSWER -GCS: < or = 13
SBP: < 90 mm HG
Respiratory Rate: < 10 or > 29 breaths per minute (<20 infants < 1 year) or need for ventilatory
support
What specific anatomical injuries go to a trauma center? - CORRECT ANSWER -- All penetrating
injuries proximal to the knee and/or elbow.
- Chest wall instability or deformity
- Two or more proximal long bone fractures
- Crushed, degloved, mangled, or pulseless extremity
- Amputation proximal to wrist or ankle
- Pelvic Fracture
- Open or depressed skull fracture
- Paralysis
, A fall from what height triggers transport to a trauma center for an adult? For a child? -
CORRECT ANSWER -Adult > 20 feet or 6 meters (2 stories)
Children > 10 feet or 3 meters (2-3x height of child)
What criteria determines if a motor vehicle crash is "high risk" and subsequently if those
involved need transport to a trauma center? - CORRECT ANSWER -Any of the following:
- Intrusion, including roof: 12 inches (30 cm) occupant side or > 18 inches on any side
- Ejection (partial or complete) from vehicle
- Death in the same passenger compartment
- Vehicle telemetry data consistent with high risk of injury
What is the average minimum speed necessary for a motor vehicle to strike a
pedestrian/bicyclist that would trigger transport to a trauma center? - CORRECT ANSWER -> 20
mph
What is the average minimum speed that a motorcyclist must be traveling at during a crash that
would trigger transport to a Trauma Center? - CORRECT ANSWER -> 20 mph
At what age does the risk of injury/death to an adult begin to increase? - CORRECT ANSWER -55
years of age
After the age of 65, what systolic blood pressure, in a trauma injury, might represent shock? -
CORRECT ANSWER -SBP < 110
Children with trauma injuries should be preferentially transported to an adult or pediatric-
capable trauma center? - CORRECT ANSWER -Pediatric - Capable Trauma Center
At how many weeks of pregnancy do women involved in an MVC automatically get sent to a
Trauma Center? - CORRECT ANSWER -> 20 weeks
