ATLS Practice Questions and Answers | 2024/2025 Exam Prep | Rated A+ Latest Update

Definitive control of the airway is achieved by - Answer Endotracheal ATLS Practice QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS RATED A+ 2024/2025 LATEST UPDATE intubation How do you treat hypothermia in the ED? - Answer crystalloid fluids at 102.2 degrees F and warmed treatment area What does definitive hemorrhage control refer to? (3) - Answer 1) Possible surgery 2) Stabilizing of pelvis 3) Angioembolization What are rates of fluid administration measured by? - Answer Size and length of catheter Minimum flow rate of oxygen reservoir mask - Answer 11 L/min MCC of shock in trauma pt - Answer Hypovolemia due to hemorrhageDescribe the 3 for 1 rule - Answer Replace each mL of blood loss with 3 ml of crystalloid solution What metabolic state can result from continued hemorrhage or decreased perfusion? - Answer Metabolic acidosis In what survey, primary or secondary, are these identified? 1) Simple PTX 2) Pulmonary contusion 3) Traumatic aortic disruption - Answer Secondary Via thorough PE, CXR, pulse ox, ECG and ABG What imaging study is preferred for penetrating abdominal trauma? - Answer CT What can FAST rapidly diagnose? - Answer Abdominal hemorrhage When is a laparotomy indicated? - Answer Fascial penetration with intraperitoneal bleeding or peritonitis What does the Monro Kellie doctrine describe? - Answer The relationship between IC volume and pressureNormal resting ICP - Answer 10 mm Hg How do you reduce elevated ICP? - Answer Mannitol in a 20% solution How do you temporarily control pelvic hemorrhage and instability? - Answer Internal traction and external counter-pressure How do you initially manage major arterial injury? - Answer Direct pressure and fluid resuscitation Full thickness burn - Answer Third degree burn What is used to estimate the size and depth of burns? - Answer Rule of 9's Head= 9% Each arm=9% Front Trunk= 18% Back Trunk= 18% Upper leg= 9% Lower leg= 9% What type of burns appear wet and blistered? - Answer Partial thickness burns (second degree)How do you treat CO exposed pt? - Answer 100% oxygen flow through non re-breather mask What is a reliable measure of circulating blood volumes in burn patients? - Answer Hourly urine output *Goal= 0.5-1.0 ml/kg body weight* Hospital admission criteria for burn pt (8) - Answer 1) Partial-thickness burns greater than 10% total BSA (TBSA) 2) Full-thickness burns greater than 2% TBSA 3) Burns involving the face, hands, genitalia, perineum, or major joints 4) Circumferential extremity burns 5) All high-voltage electrical burns, including lightning injury--Admission of low-voltage electrical burns is selective 6) Chemical burns 7) Inhalation injury 8) Burn injuries in patients with preexisting medical disorders that could complicate management, prolong recovery, or affect mortality (eg, diabetes, immunosuppression) Parkland Formula for Fluid Resuscitation in Burn pt - Answer 3-4 mL Ringer lactate X weight (kg) X %TBSA burned (second-degree and third degree); *half administered over the first 8 hours* (from time of injury),* remaining half administered over the next 16 hours*What injuries may necessitate inter-hospital transfer? (3) - Answer 1) Head or spinal cord trauma 2) Pulmonary contusions 3) Severe burns *consider time between injury and definitive care as well as resources available at local facilities* A 34 year old man is injured in a motor vehicle collision. Physical examination is normal except for diffuse abdominal tenderness. He is conscious and vital signs obtained enroute to the hospital are respirations 20 per ,minute, pulse rate is 120 per minute blood pressure 100/60; How should this patient be managed in the field? A. Intravenous fluid at a "keep open" rate B. Intravenous fluid at 20 ml/kg bolus C. Fentanyl 100 mcg intravenous D. Insert an oropharyngeal airway and assist ventilations - Answer A. Intravenous fluid at a "keep open" rate What is Sellick's maneuver? A. A method allowing the rescuer to hold a mask on the face with both hands B. A system used to calculate minute volume C. Another name for MallampatiD. Posteriorly directed pressure applied to the cricoid cartilage - Answer D. Posteriorly directed pressure applied to the cricoid cartilage A 16 year old girl is rescued from a burning house. She has 25% partial thickness burns, and the burned areas are hot to the touch. What is the appropriate treatment? A. Apply ice to burned areas until cool to touch B. Apply clean water to burned areas for up to 1-2 minutes C. Apply iced water to burned areas until cool to touch D. Do not apply anything to burned areas other than clean sheets - Answer B. Apply clean water to burned areas for up to 1-2 minutes What treatment is NOT indicated in the routine management of the patient with a head injury? A. Administration of 100% oxygen B. Fluid resuscitation to a BP of 110-120 systolic if the patient is hypotensive C. Hyperventilating to obtain an EtCO2 of less than 30 D. Stabilization of the cervical spine - Answer C. Hyperventilating to obtain an EtCO2 of less than 30 Which of the following sets of vital signs is most compatible with a diagnosis of isolated head injury with increasing intracranial pressure? A. BP 170/100, pulse 50/min B. BP 80/60, pulse 130/minC. BP 80/60, pulse 50/min D. BP 170/100, pulse 130/min - Answer A. BP 170/100, pulse 50/min Which one of the following is a reason to interrupt the initial assessment? A. Cardiac arrest B. Multiple open (compound) fractures C. Severe head injury with brain tissue visible D. Severe shock - Answer A. Cardiac arrest What site is the first choice for intraosseous infusion? A. Proximal tibia B. Distal humerus C. Proximal femur D. Distal fibula - Answer A. Proximal tibia A 34 year old man has a gunshot wound to the right groin area. Arterial bleeding, which cannot be controlled with direct pressure, is coming from the wound. The patient appears confused, diaphoretic, and has weak peripheral pulses. What is the appropriate fluid resuscitation for this patient? A. Intravenous fluid at a "keep open" rate B. Apply a hemostatic agent and gain intravenous access given enough fluid to maintain peripheral pulses C. Intravenous fluid at a wide open rate; give at least two liters, then reassess patientD. No intravenous access should be established in this situation - Answer B. Apply a hemostatic agent and gain intravenous access given enough fluid to maintain peripheral pulses Which one of the following is typically associated with, post-traumatic hemorrhage, EARLY shock? A. Ventricular dysrhythmias B. Hypotension C. Loss of 30% to 45% of blood volume D. Narrowed pulse pressure - Answer D. Narrowed pulse pressure Among the following, what is the most common cause of preventable trauma death in the injured adult patient? A. Airway obstruction B. Cardiac tamponade C. Hemorrhagic shock D. Spinal injury - Answer C. Hemorrhagic shock Which of the following is most typical of early, neurogenic shock? A. Increased pulse, clammy skin B. Increased pulse, warm and dry skin C. Decreased pulse, clammy skinD. Decreased pulse, warm and dry skin - Answer D. Decreased pulse, warm and dry skin (skin is warm due to vasodilation) Which of the following is an acceptable location to insert a needle when decompressing a tension pneumothorax? A. Directly under the bottom of the second rib, midclavicular line B. Directly under the bottom of the third rib, midclavicular line C. Directly over the top of the fourth rib, midaxillary line D. Directly over the top of the third rib, midclavicular line - Answer D. Directly over the top of the third rib, midclavicular line What is the most common cause of cardiopulmonary arrest in the trauma patient? A. Brain injury B. Hypoxemia C. Myocardial contusion D. Ventricular arrhythmia - Answer B. Hypoxemia A 49 year old man is involved in a motor vehicle collision. First responders are doing CPR. Findings include a distended abdomen and obviously deformed pelvis and a quick look at the monitor shows asystole. Which of the following is the most appropriate act? A. Establish intravenous access and administer a 20mL/kg bolus B. Establish intravenous access and administer a 1 liter bolusC. Establish intravenous access and administer a 2-4 liter bolus D. Resuscitative efforts should not be started and the patient pronounced dead - Answer D. Resuscitative efforts should not be started and the patient pronounced dead Which of the following statements concerning treatment of shock in the pregnant, burn patient is TRUE? A. Oxygen should be used sparingly so as to avoid oxygen toxicity to the fetus B. Pressor agents such as dopamine should be used to improve circulation to the fetus C. Volume replacement should be given earlier and in larger amounts to the pregnant, burn patient D. Volume replacement should be given more slowly so as to avoid fluid overloading the fetus - Answer C. Volume replacement should be given earlier and in larger amounts to the pregnant, burn patient Which area of the spine is most susceptible to injury in a rear-impact motor vehicle crash? A. Cervical B. Thoracic C. Lumbar D. Sacral-coccygeal - Answer A. Cervical A 23 year old female has won the "Let's-see-who-can-lean-the-farthest-backward-overthe-second-story-balcony-railing contest. You arrive to find her boyfriend standing overher, holding two beers, as she lies on the grass under the balcony. She opens her eyes to voice, her skin is cool, clammy and ashen, respirations are rapid and shallow, radial pulses are too rapid to count and thready. There is no external bleeding. She has flat neck veins, a normal chest and abdomen and pelvis. Her boyfriend tells you that she has some kind of heart problem but he doesn't know what. Placed on the monitor, she shows a wide-complex tachycardia of about 280. What kind of shock is she suffering? A. Hypovolemic shock B. Relative hypovolemic (high-space) shock C. Mechanical (obstructive) shock D. Cardiogenic shock - Answer D. Cardiogenic shock Which of the following would be the most compelling reason to intubate a patient immediately? A. Snoring respirations B. Gurgling respirations C. Inability to ventilate (achieve chest rise) D. Traumatic arrest - Answer C. Inability to ventilate (achieve chest rise) Which of the following may affect the reliability of a pulse oxymetry reading? A. Cyanide poisoning B. High ambient light C. Carbon monoxide poisoning D. All of the above - Answer D. All of the aboveWhich of the following conditions is your FIRST priority in management of a trauma patient? A. Open the airway and assess for breathing B. Provide ventilator support for your patient C. Control major external bleeding D. Begin chest compressions if pulses are absent - Answer C. Control major external bleeding Not sure why this is the answer since we were taught Airway is first but okay... In the absence of herniation syndrome, adult head injured patients should be: A. ventilated at a rate of 8-10 per minute B. ventilated at a rate of 12-14 per minute C. ventilated at a rate of 16-18 per minute D. ventilated at a rate of 20 per minute - Answer A. ventilated at a rate of 8-10 per minute Tourniquet application should be limited to less than: A. 1 hour B. 2 hours C. 3 hours D. 4 hours - Answer B. 2 hoursHemostatic agents applied directly to the source of bleeding must be used in conjunction with: A. direct pressure to the wound B. tourniquets proximal to the wound C. pressure points to arteries proximal to the wound D. elevation of the wound above the level of the heart - Answer A. direct pressure to the wound Which assessment tool(s) may assist in predicting patient deterioration for someone who otherwise appears stable? A. Serum lactate levels B. Blood sugar levels C. Abdominal ultrasound D. A&C - Answer D. A&C You have a patient with an isolated stab wound to the lateral chest. According to recent studies, which of the following procedures should be avoided? A. Assisting ventilations B. Supplemental oxygen C. Occlusive dressing D. Spinal motion restriction - Answer D. Spinal motion restrictionThe "Golden Period" begins: A. at the time of injury B. at the time your unit is dispatched C. when your unit arrives on scene D. when your unit leaves the scene for the hospital - Answer A. at the time of injury Pulsus paradoxus is best described by which of the following? A. The radial pulse disappears upon inspiration B. The radial pulse is absent C. The radial pulse is stronger than the carotid pulse D. There are unequal radial pulses - Answer A. The radial pulse disappears upon inspiration You respond to an adult patient who has a respiratory rate of 36 per minute, end tidal carbon dioxide level of 30 mmHg and an oxygen saturation of 80%. You should administer oxygen via: A. Non-rebreather mask at 12 liters per minute B. Nasal cannula at 6 liters per minute C. Venturi mask at 40% D. Bag-valve-mask ventilation with supplemental oxygen - Answer D. Bag-valve-mask ventilation with supplemental oxygenWhich of the following findings would be a reason to interrupt the primary survey? A. Airway obstruction B. Gasping respirations C. Impaled object in abdomen D. Very weak pulse - Answer A. Airway obstruction Changes in which of the following is most useful to follow in the child with head injury? A. Frequency of vomiting B. Level of consciousness C. Reflexes D. Sensory exam - Answer B. Level of consciousness Weakness, fast pulse, and normal blood pressure suggest what condition? A. Compensated hypovolemic shock B. Decompensated neurogenic shock C. Late burn shock D. Late hemorrhagic shock - Answer A. Compensated hypovolemic shock Which one of the following mnemonics can be used to help predict which patients might potentially have difficult bag mask ventilation? A. MMAP B. IPPV C. RSID. BOOTS - Answer D. BOOTS *B*=Beard *O*=Obese *O*=Old age *T*=Toothless *S*=Snoring A 23 year old female has won the "Let's-see-who-can-lean-the-farthest-backward-overthe-second-story-balcony-railing" contest. You arrive to find her boyfriend standing over her, holding two beers, as she lies on the grass under the balcony. She opens her eyes to voice, her skin is normal in color, respirations about 16 and unlabored, pulse 54 and a little weak at the wrist, with no external bleeding. She has flat neck veins, a normal chest and abdomen and a stable pelvis. First responders who arrived just before you, tell you that her pulse ox reading is 94 and her blood pressure is 74/30. What type of shock is present? A. Hypovolemic shock B. Relative hypovolemic (high-space) shock C. Mechanical (obstructive) shock D. Cardiogenic shock - Answer B. Relative hypovolemic (high-space) shock As intracerebral pressure rises, after an isolated head injury, what does the systolic blood pressure do?A. Stays the same B. Decreases C. Increases D. Changes randomly - Answer C. Increases