ATLS TEST 1 QUESTIONS AND
ANSWERS (LATEST 2025|2026
UPDATES)
A 56-year-old man is thrown violently against the steering wheel of his truck during a
motor vehicle crash. On arrival to the emergency department he is diaphoretic and
complaining of chest pain. His blood pressure is 60/40 mm Hg and his respiratory rate is
40 breaths per minute. Which of the following best differentiates cardiac tamponade
from tension pneumothorax as the cause of his hypotension?
Select one:
a.
tachycardia
b.
pulse volume
c.
breath sounds
d.
pulse pressure
e.
jugular venous pressure - Answer-c.
breath sounds
Bronchial intubation of the right or left mainstem bronchus can easily occur during infant
endotracheal intubation because:
Select one:
a.
The trachea is relatively short.
b.
The distance from the lips to the larynx is relatively short.
c.
The use of cuffed endotracheal tubes eliminates this issue.
d.
The mainstem bronchi are less angulated in their relation to the trachea.
e.
So little friction exists between the endotracheal tube and the wall of the trachea. -
Answer-a.
The trachea is relatively short.
A 23-year-old man sustains 4 stab wounds to the upper right chest during an altercation
and is brought by ambulance to a hospital that has full surgical capabilities. His wounds
are all above the nipple. He is endotracheally intubated, closed tube thoracostomy is
, performed, fluid resuscitation is initiated through 2 large-caliber IVs. FAST exam does
not reveal intraabdominal injuries. His blood pressure now is 60/0 mm Hg, heart rate is
160 beats per minute, and respiratory rate is 14 breaths per minute (ventilated with
100% O2). 1500 mL of blood has drained from the right chest. The most appropriate
next step in managing this patient is to
Select one:
a.
perform diagnostic peritoneal lavage
b.
obtain a CT of the chest
c.
perform an angiography
d.
urgently transfer the patient to the operating room
e.
immediately transfer the patient to a trauma center - Answer-d.
urgently transfer the patient to the operating room
A 39-year-old man is admitted to the emergency department after an automobile
collision. He is cyanotic, has insufficient respiratory effort, and has a GCS score of 6.
His full beard makes it difficult to fit the oxygen facemask to his face. The most
appropriate next step is to
Select one:
a.
perform a surgical cricothyroidotomy
b.
attempt nasotracheal intubation
c.
ventilate him with a bag-mask device until c-spine injury can be excluded
d.
restrict cervical motion and attempt orotracheal intubation using 2 people
e.
ventilate the patient with a bag-mask device until his beard can be shaved for better
mask fit
a.
perform a surgical cricothyroidotomy
b.
attempt nasotracheal intubation
c.
ventilate him with a bag-mask device until c-spine injury can be excluded
d.
restrict cervical motion and attempt orotracheal intubation using 2 people
e.
ventilate the patient with a bag-mask device until his beard can be shaved for - Answer-
d.
restrict cervical motion and attempt orotracheal intubation using 2 people
ANSWERS (LATEST 2025|2026
UPDATES)
A 56-year-old man is thrown violently against the steering wheel of his truck during a
motor vehicle crash. On arrival to the emergency department he is diaphoretic and
complaining of chest pain. His blood pressure is 60/40 mm Hg and his respiratory rate is
40 breaths per minute. Which of the following best differentiates cardiac tamponade
from tension pneumothorax as the cause of his hypotension?
Select one:
a.
tachycardia
b.
pulse volume
c.
breath sounds
d.
pulse pressure
e.
jugular venous pressure - Answer-c.
breath sounds
Bronchial intubation of the right or left mainstem bronchus can easily occur during infant
endotracheal intubation because:
Select one:
a.
The trachea is relatively short.
b.
The distance from the lips to the larynx is relatively short.
c.
The use of cuffed endotracheal tubes eliminates this issue.
d.
The mainstem bronchi are less angulated in their relation to the trachea.
e.
So little friction exists between the endotracheal tube and the wall of the trachea. -
Answer-a.
The trachea is relatively short.
A 23-year-old man sustains 4 stab wounds to the upper right chest during an altercation
and is brought by ambulance to a hospital that has full surgical capabilities. His wounds
are all above the nipple. He is endotracheally intubated, closed tube thoracostomy is
, performed, fluid resuscitation is initiated through 2 large-caliber IVs. FAST exam does
not reveal intraabdominal injuries. His blood pressure now is 60/0 mm Hg, heart rate is
160 beats per minute, and respiratory rate is 14 breaths per minute (ventilated with
100% O2). 1500 mL of blood has drained from the right chest. The most appropriate
next step in managing this patient is to
Select one:
a.
perform diagnostic peritoneal lavage
b.
obtain a CT of the chest
c.
perform an angiography
d.
urgently transfer the patient to the operating room
e.
immediately transfer the patient to a trauma center - Answer-d.
urgently transfer the patient to the operating room
A 39-year-old man is admitted to the emergency department after an automobile
collision. He is cyanotic, has insufficient respiratory effort, and has a GCS score of 6.
His full beard makes it difficult to fit the oxygen facemask to his face. The most
appropriate next step is to
Select one:
a.
perform a surgical cricothyroidotomy
b.
attempt nasotracheal intubation
c.
ventilate him with a bag-mask device until c-spine injury can be excluded
d.
restrict cervical motion and attempt orotracheal intubation using 2 people
e.
ventilate the patient with a bag-mask device until his beard can be shaved for better
mask fit
a.
perform a surgical cricothyroidotomy
b.
attempt nasotracheal intubation
c.
ventilate him with a bag-mask device until c-spine injury can be excluded
d.
restrict cervical motion and attempt orotracheal intubation using 2 people
e.
ventilate the patient with a bag-mask device until his beard can be shaved for - Answer-
d.
restrict cervical motion and attempt orotracheal intubation using 2 people
