1
ITLS Exam Preparation EXAM Questions
and Answers (Verified Answers) (Latest
Update 2025) UPDATE!!
What is a Scene Size-Up? - (ANSWER)Observations made and actions taken at a
trauma scene before actually approaching the patient. It is the initial step in the
ITLS Primary Survey
What does "OPIM" stand for? - (ANSWER)Other Potentially Infectious Material
What equipment should you always take with you for trauma patients? -
(ANSWER)-PPE (Personal Protection Equipment)
-Patient transport device (stretcher, long spine board, and so on) with effective
strapping and head motion-restriction device
-Rigid cervical extrication collar of an appropriate size
-Oxygen and airway equipment, which should include suction equipment and a
BVM (Bag-Valve Mask)
-Trauma box (bandage material, hemostatic agent, tourniquet, blood pressure
cuff, stethoscope)
What are some of the potential injury patterns for a mechanism of Injury of
frontal impact? (Name 8) - (ANSWER)-Cervical-spine fracture
-Flail chest
-Myocardial contusion
-Pneumothorax
,2
-Aortic disruption
-Spleen or liver laceration
-Posterior hip dislocation
-Knee dislocation
What are some of the potential injury patterns for a mechanism of lateral impact
(T-bone)? (Name 8) - (ANSWER)-Contralateral neck sprain
-Cervical-spine fracture
-Lateral flail chest
-Pneumothorax
-Aortic disruption
-Diaphragmatic rupture
-Laceration of liver, kidney or spleen
-Pelvic fracture
What are potential injury patterns for a mechanism of ejection? -
(ANSWER)Exposure to all mechanisms (and mortality increased)
What are some of the potential injury patterns for a mechanism of Injury of
pedestrian vs. car? (Name 4) - (ANSWER)-Head injury
-Aortic disruption
-Abdominal visceral injuries
-Fracture pelvis and lower extremities
,3
What is "index of suspicion"? - (ANSWER)The medical provider's estimate of a
disease or injury being present in a patient. A high index of suspicion means there
is a high probability the injury is present. A low index of suspicion means there is a
low risk of the injury.
List the two basic mechanisms of motion injury - (ANSWER)Blunt and penetrating
Identify the three collisions associated with a motor-vehicle collision (MVC) -
(ANSWER)1. Machine collision
2. Body collision
3. Organ collision resulting in rupture, shearing, or bruising
Name the five common forms of MVCs - (ANSWER)1. Frontal-impact (head-on
collision)
2. Lateral-impact (T-bone collision)
3. Rear-impact collision
4. Rollover collision
5. Rotational collision
Using the three collisions associated with a MVC, relate at least three frontal-
impact collisions to potential patient injuries to deformity of the vehicle, interior
structures and body structures. - (ANSWER)Machine collision = Deformed front
end
, 4
Body collision = Spider-web pattern of windshield
Organ collision = Coup/contracoup brain, soft-tissue injury (scalp, face, neck),
hyperextension/flexion of the cervical spine
Machine collision = Deformed front end
Body collision = Steering wheel ring fracture, deformity and column displacement
Organ collision = Traumatic tattooing of patient's skin
Machine collision = Deformity of vehicle
Body collision = Dashboard fracture and deformity
Organ collision = Facial trauma, coup/contracoup brain, hyperextension/flexion of
the cervical spine, pelvis, hip and knee trauma
Using the three collisions associated with a MVC, relate at least three lateral-
impact collisions to potential patient injuries to deformity of the vehicle, interior
structures and body structures. - (ANSWER)Machine collision = Deformed driver
or passenger side
Body collision = Degree of door deformity (ex: armrest bent, outward or inward
bowing of door)
Organ collision = This cannot be predicted by external exam alone. Instead,
consider organs beneath areas of external injury:
-Head = Coup/contracoup
-Neck = Ranging from cervical-muscle strain to fracture or subluxation with
neurologic deficit
ITLS Exam Preparation EXAM Questions
and Answers (Verified Answers) (Latest
Update 2025) UPDATE!!
What is a Scene Size-Up? - (ANSWER)Observations made and actions taken at a
trauma scene before actually approaching the patient. It is the initial step in the
ITLS Primary Survey
What does "OPIM" stand for? - (ANSWER)Other Potentially Infectious Material
What equipment should you always take with you for trauma patients? -
(ANSWER)-PPE (Personal Protection Equipment)
-Patient transport device (stretcher, long spine board, and so on) with effective
strapping and head motion-restriction device
-Rigid cervical extrication collar of an appropriate size
-Oxygen and airway equipment, which should include suction equipment and a
BVM (Bag-Valve Mask)
-Trauma box (bandage material, hemostatic agent, tourniquet, blood pressure
cuff, stethoscope)
What are some of the potential injury patterns for a mechanism of Injury of
frontal impact? (Name 8) - (ANSWER)-Cervical-spine fracture
-Flail chest
-Myocardial contusion
-Pneumothorax
,2
-Aortic disruption
-Spleen or liver laceration
-Posterior hip dislocation
-Knee dislocation
What are some of the potential injury patterns for a mechanism of lateral impact
(T-bone)? (Name 8) - (ANSWER)-Contralateral neck sprain
-Cervical-spine fracture
-Lateral flail chest
-Pneumothorax
-Aortic disruption
-Diaphragmatic rupture
-Laceration of liver, kidney or spleen
-Pelvic fracture
What are potential injury patterns for a mechanism of ejection? -
(ANSWER)Exposure to all mechanisms (and mortality increased)
What are some of the potential injury patterns for a mechanism of Injury of
pedestrian vs. car? (Name 4) - (ANSWER)-Head injury
-Aortic disruption
-Abdominal visceral injuries
-Fracture pelvis and lower extremities
,3
What is "index of suspicion"? - (ANSWER)The medical provider's estimate of a
disease or injury being present in a patient. A high index of suspicion means there
is a high probability the injury is present. A low index of suspicion means there is a
low risk of the injury.
List the two basic mechanisms of motion injury - (ANSWER)Blunt and penetrating
Identify the three collisions associated with a motor-vehicle collision (MVC) -
(ANSWER)1. Machine collision
2. Body collision
3. Organ collision resulting in rupture, shearing, or bruising
Name the five common forms of MVCs - (ANSWER)1. Frontal-impact (head-on
collision)
2. Lateral-impact (T-bone collision)
3. Rear-impact collision
4. Rollover collision
5. Rotational collision
Using the three collisions associated with a MVC, relate at least three frontal-
impact collisions to potential patient injuries to deformity of the vehicle, interior
structures and body structures. - (ANSWER)Machine collision = Deformed front
end
, 4
Body collision = Spider-web pattern of windshield
Organ collision = Coup/contracoup brain, soft-tissue injury (scalp, face, neck),
hyperextension/flexion of the cervical spine
Machine collision = Deformed front end
Body collision = Steering wheel ring fracture, deformity and column displacement
Organ collision = Traumatic tattooing of patient's skin
Machine collision = Deformity of vehicle
Body collision = Dashboard fracture and deformity
Organ collision = Facial trauma, coup/contracoup brain, hyperextension/flexion of
the cervical spine, pelvis, hip and knee trauma
Using the three collisions associated with a MVC, relate at least three lateral-
impact collisions to potential patient injuries to deformity of the vehicle, interior
structures and body structures. - (ANSWER)Machine collision = Deformed driver
or passenger side
Body collision = Degree of door deformity (ex: armrest bent, outward or inward
bowing of door)
Organ collision = This cannot be predicted by external exam alone. Instead,
consider organs beneath areas of external injury:
-Head = Coup/contracoup
-Neck = Ranging from cervical-muscle strain to fracture or subluxation with
neurologic deficit
