ATLS 10TH EDITION POST TEST
1 Questions and Answers
Latest (Verified Answers by
Expert)
1. Which sign is LEAST reliable for diagnosing
esophageal intubation?
A. Symmetrical chest wall movement
B. Presence of end-tidal CO₂ by colorimetry
C. Bilateral breath sounds
D. Oxygen saturation >92%
E. Endotracheal tube above the carina on chest x-ray
Correct Answer D
Explanation: Oxygen saturation may remain normal for
several minutes after esophageal intubation due to pre-
oxygenation. ETCO₂ detection is the most reliable
confirmation of tracheal placement.
,2. Which finding mandates a definitive airway in a
severely injured trauma patient?
A. Facial lacerations
B. Repeated vomiting
C. Severe maxillofacial fractures
D. Sternal fracture
E. Glasgow Coma Scale score of 12
Correct Answer C
Explanation: Severe maxillofacial trauma threatens
airway patency due to bleeding, edema, and distorted
anatomy, necessitating early definitive airway control.
3. In a mass-casualty incident, the primary goal of
triage is to:
A. Establish a triage site within the inner perimeter
B. Treat the most severely injured first
C. Transport all patients to the nearest hospital
D. Treat patients in order of arrival
E. Achieve the greatest number of survivors with
available resources
, Correct Answer E
Explanation: ATLS triage prioritizes saving the greatest
number of lives rather than focusing on individual
severity.
4. Which statement regarding traumatic brain
injuries is correct?
A. Cerebral contusions may coalesce into intracerebral
hematomas
B. Epidural hematomas are usually frontal
C. Subdural hematomas involve the middle meningeal
artery
D. Subdural hematomas are lenticular on CT
E. Epidural hematomas cause more severe brain injury
Correct Answer A
Explanation: Cerebral contusions can expand and
merge, forming intracerebral hematomas over time.
1 Questions and Answers
Latest (Verified Answers by
Expert)
1. Which sign is LEAST reliable for diagnosing
esophageal intubation?
A. Symmetrical chest wall movement
B. Presence of end-tidal CO₂ by colorimetry
C. Bilateral breath sounds
D. Oxygen saturation >92%
E. Endotracheal tube above the carina on chest x-ray
Correct Answer D
Explanation: Oxygen saturation may remain normal for
several minutes after esophageal intubation due to pre-
oxygenation. ETCO₂ detection is the most reliable
confirmation of tracheal placement.
,2. Which finding mandates a definitive airway in a
severely injured trauma patient?
A. Facial lacerations
B. Repeated vomiting
C. Severe maxillofacial fractures
D. Sternal fracture
E. Glasgow Coma Scale score of 12
Correct Answer C
Explanation: Severe maxillofacial trauma threatens
airway patency due to bleeding, edema, and distorted
anatomy, necessitating early definitive airway control.
3. In a mass-casualty incident, the primary goal of
triage is to:
A. Establish a triage site within the inner perimeter
B. Treat the most severely injured first
C. Transport all patients to the nearest hospital
D. Treat patients in order of arrival
E. Achieve the greatest number of survivors with
available resources
, Correct Answer E
Explanation: ATLS triage prioritizes saving the greatest
number of lives rather than focusing on individual
severity.
4. Which statement regarding traumatic brain
injuries is correct?
A. Cerebral contusions may coalesce into intracerebral
hematomas
B. Epidural hematomas are usually frontal
C. Subdural hematomas involve the middle meningeal
artery
D. Subdural hematomas are lenticular on CT
E. Epidural hematomas cause more severe brain injury
Correct Answer A
Explanation: Cerebral contusions can expand and
merge, forming intracerebral hematomas over time.
