ATLS EXAM WITH 100% CORRECT ANSWERS 2024-
2025
True or false? Although theSmechanism of injury may be similar to those for the younger population, data
shows increased mortality with similar severity of injury in older adults. - correct answer-True
In the elderly population, what is decreased physiological reserve? - correct answer-
aging is characterized by impaired adaptive and homeostatic mechanisms that caused an increased suscep
tibility to the stress of injury. Insults tolerated by the younger population can lead to devastating results in
elderly patients.
Pre-existing conditions that affect morbidity and mortality include: - correct answer-
cirrhosis, coagulopathy, COPD, ischemic heart disease, DM
What is the mostScommon mechanism of injury in the elderly? - correct answer-
Fall. Nonfatal falls are common in women and fractures are common in women who fall. Falls are the mo
st common cause of TBI.
In the elderly population, what are risk factors for falls? - correct answer-
advanced age, physical impairment, history of previous fall, medication use, dementia, unsteady gait, and
visual, cognitive impairment
Most of elderly traffic fatalities occur in the daytime and on weekends and typically involve other vehicle
s. Why? - correct answer-
Older people drive on more familiar roads and at lower speeds and tend to drive during the day. Older peo
ple have slower reaction time, a larger blind spot, limited cervical mobility, decreased hearing, and cogniti
ve impairment.
True or False? Mortality associated with small to moderate sized burns in older adults remains high -
correct answer-True
SpilledShot liquids on the leg, which in younger patients may re-
epithelialize due to an adequate number of hair follicles, will result in aSfull thickness burn in older patien
ts. - correct answer-this is true
Airway-
patients may have dentures that may loosen or obstruct the airway. If dentures are not obstructing the airw
ay, leave them in place for what? - correct answer-bag maskSventilation, as it improves mask fitting.
,WhenSpreforming rapid sequence intubation, the dose of benzos, barbiturates, andSother sedatives should
be reduced toSwhat percentage to minimize the risk of cardiovascular depression? - correct answer-20-
40%
Functional changes in cardiac system include decliningSfunction, decreased sensitivity to catecholamines,
atherosclerosis of coronary vessels, increased afterload, fixed heart rate (beta blockers) - correct answer-
this results in lack of classic response to hypovolemia, risk for cardiac ischemia, elevated BP at baseline,
and increased risk of dysrythmias.
Functional changes in pulmonary system include decreased elastic recoil, reduced residual capacity, decre
ased gas exchange and decreased cough reflex - correct answer-
thus they areSat increased risk for respiratory failure, increased risk for pneumonia, and poor tolerance to r
ib fractures
Functional changes in renal system include loss of renal mass, decreased GFR, and decreased sensitivity t
o ADH and aldosterone - correct answer-
resulting in drug dosing for renal insufficiency, decreased ability to concentrate urine, increased risk for A
KI and urine flow may be normal with hypovolemia
Functional changes to MSK include loss of lean body mass, osteoporosis, changes in joints and cartilage,
c spine degenerative changes and loss of skin elastin and subcutaneous fat - correct answer-
resulting in increased risk for fractures, decreasedSmobility, difficulty for oral intubation, risk of skin injur
y, increased risk for hypothermia, challenges in rehabiliation
Functional changes in Endocrine system include decreasedSproduction and response to thyroxin and decre
ased dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) - correct answer-
resulting in occult hypothyroidism, relative hypercortisone states and increased risk of infection
True orSfalse: Arthritis can complicate the airway and cervical spine. Patients can have multilevel degener
ative changes affecting disk spaces and posterior elements associated with severe central canal stenosis, c
ord compression, and myelomalacia - correct answer-true
In elderly population, due to their changes in pulmonary system, placing a gauze between gums and chee
k to achieve seal when usingSbag valve mask ventilation is okay. In addition, because aging causes a supp
ressed heart rate response to hypoxia. .. - correct answer-
respiratory failure may present insidiously in older adults.
, Age related changes in the cardiovascular system place the elderly trauma patient at significant risk for be
ing inaccurately categorized as hemodynamically stable. - correct answer-
Elderly patients have a fixed heart rate and fixed cardiac output, thus, their response to hypovolemia will i
nvolve increasing their systemic vascular resistance. Furthermore, since older patients have HTN, an acce
ptable BP may truly reflect a hypotensive state. A systolic BP of 110 is to be utilized as the threshold for i
dentifying hypotension in patients 65 and older.
Do no equate blood pressure with shock in older patients - correctSanswer-
BP in older patients may look normal due to the medications they are on. Use lactate and base deficit to e
valuate for evidence of shock
what 2 factors place elderly patients at risk for intracranial hemorrhage? - correct answer-
aging causes dura to become more adherent to the skull increasing risk of injury and older patients are on
anticoagulantSand antiplatelet medications.
Loss of subcutaneous fat, nutritional deficiencies, chronic medical conditions place elderly patients as ris
k for hypothermia and complications for immobility. - correct answer-
Rapid evaluation and when possible early liberation from spine boards and cervical collars will minimize
complications.
True orSFalse: Fall prevention is the mainstay of reducing the mortality associated with pelvic fractures. -
correct answer-true
poorShygiene, dehydration, oral injury, contusions affecting the inner arms, innerSthighs, palms, soles, scal
p, ear, nasal bridge and temple injury from being struck while wearing glasses, contact burns and scalds.
TheseSare all signs of ...... ? - correct answer-
Elder maltreatment. TheSpresence of physical findings of maltreatment should prompt a detailed history. i
f history conflicts with findings, immediately report findings to authorities.
True of false: early activation of the trauma team may be required for elderly patients who do not meet tra
ditional criteria for activation - correct answer-
True. A simple injury such as an open tibia fracture in a frail elderly patient may become life threatening.
Common mechanisms of injury include falls, MVC, burns, and penetrating injuries - correct answer-
common injuries in the elderly include rib fractures, TBI, pelvic fractures
The best initial treatment for the fetus is to provide optimal resuscitation of the mother. True or False? -
correct answer-
2025
True or false? Although theSmechanism of injury may be similar to those for the younger population, data
shows increased mortality with similar severity of injury in older adults. - correct answer-True
In the elderly population, what is decreased physiological reserve? - correct answer-
aging is characterized by impaired adaptive and homeostatic mechanisms that caused an increased suscep
tibility to the stress of injury. Insults tolerated by the younger population can lead to devastating results in
elderly patients.
Pre-existing conditions that affect morbidity and mortality include: - correct answer-
cirrhosis, coagulopathy, COPD, ischemic heart disease, DM
What is the mostScommon mechanism of injury in the elderly? - correct answer-
Fall. Nonfatal falls are common in women and fractures are common in women who fall. Falls are the mo
st common cause of TBI.
In the elderly population, what are risk factors for falls? - correct answer-
advanced age, physical impairment, history of previous fall, medication use, dementia, unsteady gait, and
visual, cognitive impairment
Most of elderly traffic fatalities occur in the daytime and on weekends and typically involve other vehicle
s. Why? - correct answer-
Older people drive on more familiar roads and at lower speeds and tend to drive during the day. Older peo
ple have slower reaction time, a larger blind spot, limited cervical mobility, decreased hearing, and cogniti
ve impairment.
True or False? Mortality associated with small to moderate sized burns in older adults remains high -
correct answer-True
SpilledShot liquids on the leg, which in younger patients may re-
epithelialize due to an adequate number of hair follicles, will result in aSfull thickness burn in older patien
ts. - correct answer-this is true
Airway-
patients may have dentures that may loosen or obstruct the airway. If dentures are not obstructing the airw
ay, leave them in place for what? - correct answer-bag maskSventilation, as it improves mask fitting.
,WhenSpreforming rapid sequence intubation, the dose of benzos, barbiturates, andSother sedatives should
be reduced toSwhat percentage to minimize the risk of cardiovascular depression? - correct answer-20-
40%
Functional changes in cardiac system include decliningSfunction, decreased sensitivity to catecholamines,
atherosclerosis of coronary vessels, increased afterload, fixed heart rate (beta blockers) - correct answer-
this results in lack of classic response to hypovolemia, risk for cardiac ischemia, elevated BP at baseline,
and increased risk of dysrythmias.
Functional changes in pulmonary system include decreased elastic recoil, reduced residual capacity, decre
ased gas exchange and decreased cough reflex - correct answer-
thus they areSat increased risk for respiratory failure, increased risk for pneumonia, and poor tolerance to r
ib fractures
Functional changes in renal system include loss of renal mass, decreased GFR, and decreased sensitivity t
o ADH and aldosterone - correct answer-
resulting in drug dosing for renal insufficiency, decreased ability to concentrate urine, increased risk for A
KI and urine flow may be normal with hypovolemia
Functional changes to MSK include loss of lean body mass, osteoporosis, changes in joints and cartilage,
c spine degenerative changes and loss of skin elastin and subcutaneous fat - correct answer-
resulting in increased risk for fractures, decreasedSmobility, difficulty for oral intubation, risk of skin injur
y, increased risk for hypothermia, challenges in rehabiliation
Functional changes in Endocrine system include decreasedSproduction and response to thyroxin and decre
ased dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) - correct answer-
resulting in occult hypothyroidism, relative hypercortisone states and increased risk of infection
True orSfalse: Arthritis can complicate the airway and cervical spine. Patients can have multilevel degener
ative changes affecting disk spaces and posterior elements associated with severe central canal stenosis, c
ord compression, and myelomalacia - correct answer-true
In elderly population, due to their changes in pulmonary system, placing a gauze between gums and chee
k to achieve seal when usingSbag valve mask ventilation is okay. In addition, because aging causes a supp
ressed heart rate response to hypoxia. .. - correct answer-
respiratory failure may present insidiously in older adults.
, Age related changes in the cardiovascular system place the elderly trauma patient at significant risk for be
ing inaccurately categorized as hemodynamically stable. - correct answer-
Elderly patients have a fixed heart rate and fixed cardiac output, thus, their response to hypovolemia will i
nvolve increasing their systemic vascular resistance. Furthermore, since older patients have HTN, an acce
ptable BP may truly reflect a hypotensive state. A systolic BP of 110 is to be utilized as the threshold for i
dentifying hypotension in patients 65 and older.
Do no equate blood pressure with shock in older patients - correctSanswer-
BP in older patients may look normal due to the medications they are on. Use lactate and base deficit to e
valuate for evidence of shock
what 2 factors place elderly patients at risk for intracranial hemorrhage? - correct answer-
aging causes dura to become more adherent to the skull increasing risk of injury and older patients are on
anticoagulantSand antiplatelet medications.
Loss of subcutaneous fat, nutritional deficiencies, chronic medical conditions place elderly patients as ris
k for hypothermia and complications for immobility. - correct answer-
Rapid evaluation and when possible early liberation from spine boards and cervical collars will minimize
complications.
True orSFalse: Fall prevention is the mainstay of reducing the mortality associated with pelvic fractures. -
correct answer-true
poorShygiene, dehydration, oral injury, contusions affecting the inner arms, innerSthighs, palms, soles, scal
p, ear, nasal bridge and temple injury from being struck while wearing glasses, contact burns and scalds.
TheseSare all signs of ...... ? - correct answer-
Elder maltreatment. TheSpresence of physical findings of maltreatment should prompt a detailed history. i
f history conflicts with findings, immediately report findings to authorities.
True of false: early activation of the trauma team may be required for elderly patients who do not meet tra
ditional criteria for activation - correct answer-
True. A simple injury such as an open tibia fracture in a frail elderly patient may become life threatening.
Common mechanisms of injury include falls, MVC, burns, and penetrating injuries - correct answer-
common injuries in the elderly include rib fractures, TBI, pelvic fractures
The best initial treatment for the fetus is to provide optimal resuscitation of the mother. True or False? -
correct answer-
