ATLS Post Actual Exam NEWEST VERSION 2026 Actual
Exam with Verified Questions and Correct Answers.
1. Twentyseven patients are seriously injured in an aircraft accident at a local
airport. The basic principle of triage should be to:
produce the greatest number of survivors based on available
resources.
establish a field triage area directed by a doctor.
treat the greatest number of patients in the shortest period of time.
treat the most severely injured patients first.
2. In a trauma scenario, if a patient presents with hypotension, bradycardia, and
warm, dry skin, which type of shock should be suspected and what
immediate intervention should be prioritized?
Hypovolemic shock; administering intravenous fluids immediately.
Neurogenic shock; securing the airway and ensuring adequate
ventilation.
Anaphylactic shock; administering epinephrine as the first step.
Cardiogenic shock; starting cardiac monitoring and medications.
3. What does the acronym FAST stand for in the context of trauma assessment?
Focused Assessment with Sonography for Trauma
Focused Assessment of Severe Trauma
Fast Assessment with Sonography for Treatment
Fast Assessment of Surgical Trauma
,4. Interpret the significance of an 18-year-old motorcyclist being awake and
alert after a traumatic incident.
Being awake and alert indicates the patient is free from any injuries.
Being awake and alert means the patient is in shock.
Being awake and alert is irrelevant in trauma assessment.
Being awake and alert suggests that the patient may not have
sustained severe neurological injury.
5. A 26-year-old woman is brought to the Emergency Department after being
involved in a motor vehicle crash. She is 30 weeks pregnant. She was
restrained with a lap and shoulder belt, and an airbag deployed. Which one
of the following statements best describes the risk of injury?
The deployment of the airbag increases the risk of fetal loss.
The deployment of the airbag increases the risk of maternal
abdominal injury.
The use of seatbelts is associated with increased risk of maternal
death.
The risk of premature fetal delivery and death is reduced by the use
of restraints.
The mechanism of injury suggests the need for emergency caesarean
section due to the risk of impending abruptio placentae.
6. What is one contraindication for performing nasogastric intubation?
Asthma
Diabetes
Facial fractures
Hypertension
,7. As a result of impaired gas exchange, patients with flail chest after a traumatic
fall can develop:
Metabolic acidosis
Metabolic alkalosis
Respiratory acidosis
Respiratory alkalosis
8. A 23-year-old man presents to the emergency department with a penetrating
wound to the right shoulder, which he received during a scaffolding collapse.
On arrival, he is noted to have a single wound to the right anterior chest, just
medial to the shoulder. He also has an abrasion on his forehead. Vital signs
demonstrate a heart rate of 115 beats/min and a blood pressure of 100/80 mm
Hg. He is confused. On reevaluation of vital signs, the man's heart rate is now
130 beats/min, and his blood pressure is 70/30 mm Hg. A chest radiograph is
obtained. Blood transfusion is initiated. What is the best next step?
CT to characterize injury
Right needle thoracostomy
Right thoracotomy performed in the operating room
Complete secondary survey
Placement of a right tube thoracostomy
9. A 40 year old male crashed his motorcycle. He had a brief loss of
consciousness, woke up andwalked home. You find him 2 hours later at home
unconscious. You should suspect.
Epidural Hematoma
Subdural Hematoma
ICP
, 10. Describe the relationship between cerebral contusions and intracerebral
hematomas.
Cerebral contusions are always less severe than intracerebral
hematomas.
Cerebral contusions can merge together, resulting in the formation
of an intracerebral hematoma.
Cerebral contusions only occur in the absence of hematomas.
Cerebral contusions are unrelated to intracerebral hematomas.
11. What is the primary goal of triage in emergency situations?
To prioritize treatment based on the severity of injuries.
To provide immediate care to all victims.
To transport patients to hospitals as quickly as possible.
To assess the psychological state of victims.
12. In a trauma scenario where a patient presents with signs of abdominal injury,
how would you justify the use of a CT Abd/Pelvis over an abdominal
ultrasound?
Abdominal x-rays are less expensive and easier to perform.
A CT Abd/Pelvis offers superior specificity and detail for
diagnosing solid organ injuries, which is critical for treatment
planning.
An abdominal ultrasound is faster and can be done at the bedside.
Frequent abdominal examinations can provide enough information
without imaging.
Exam with Verified Questions and Correct Answers.
1. Twentyseven patients are seriously injured in an aircraft accident at a local
airport. The basic principle of triage should be to:
produce the greatest number of survivors based on available
resources.
establish a field triage area directed by a doctor.
treat the greatest number of patients in the shortest period of time.
treat the most severely injured patients first.
2. In a trauma scenario, if a patient presents with hypotension, bradycardia, and
warm, dry skin, which type of shock should be suspected and what
immediate intervention should be prioritized?
Hypovolemic shock; administering intravenous fluids immediately.
Neurogenic shock; securing the airway and ensuring adequate
ventilation.
Anaphylactic shock; administering epinephrine as the first step.
Cardiogenic shock; starting cardiac monitoring and medications.
3. What does the acronym FAST stand for in the context of trauma assessment?
Focused Assessment with Sonography for Trauma
Focused Assessment of Severe Trauma
Fast Assessment with Sonography for Treatment
Fast Assessment of Surgical Trauma
,4. Interpret the significance of an 18-year-old motorcyclist being awake and
alert after a traumatic incident.
Being awake and alert indicates the patient is free from any injuries.
Being awake and alert means the patient is in shock.
Being awake and alert is irrelevant in trauma assessment.
Being awake and alert suggests that the patient may not have
sustained severe neurological injury.
5. A 26-year-old woman is brought to the Emergency Department after being
involved in a motor vehicle crash. She is 30 weeks pregnant. She was
restrained with a lap and shoulder belt, and an airbag deployed. Which one
of the following statements best describes the risk of injury?
The deployment of the airbag increases the risk of fetal loss.
The deployment of the airbag increases the risk of maternal
abdominal injury.
The use of seatbelts is associated with increased risk of maternal
death.
The risk of premature fetal delivery and death is reduced by the use
of restraints.
The mechanism of injury suggests the need for emergency caesarean
section due to the risk of impending abruptio placentae.
6. What is one contraindication for performing nasogastric intubation?
Asthma
Diabetes
Facial fractures
Hypertension
,7. As a result of impaired gas exchange, patients with flail chest after a traumatic
fall can develop:
Metabolic acidosis
Metabolic alkalosis
Respiratory acidosis
Respiratory alkalosis
8. A 23-year-old man presents to the emergency department with a penetrating
wound to the right shoulder, which he received during a scaffolding collapse.
On arrival, he is noted to have a single wound to the right anterior chest, just
medial to the shoulder. He also has an abrasion on his forehead. Vital signs
demonstrate a heart rate of 115 beats/min and a blood pressure of 100/80 mm
Hg. He is confused. On reevaluation of vital signs, the man's heart rate is now
130 beats/min, and his blood pressure is 70/30 mm Hg. A chest radiograph is
obtained. Blood transfusion is initiated. What is the best next step?
CT to characterize injury
Right needle thoracostomy
Right thoracotomy performed in the operating room
Complete secondary survey
Placement of a right tube thoracostomy
9. A 40 year old male crashed his motorcycle. He had a brief loss of
consciousness, woke up andwalked home. You find him 2 hours later at home
unconscious. You should suspect.
Epidural Hematoma
Subdural Hematoma
ICP
, 10. Describe the relationship between cerebral contusions and intracerebral
hematomas.
Cerebral contusions are always less severe than intracerebral
hematomas.
Cerebral contusions can merge together, resulting in the formation
of an intracerebral hematoma.
Cerebral contusions only occur in the absence of hematomas.
Cerebral contusions are unrelated to intracerebral hematomas.
11. What is the primary goal of triage in emergency situations?
To prioritize treatment based on the severity of injuries.
To provide immediate care to all victims.
To transport patients to hospitals as quickly as possible.
To assess the psychological state of victims.
12. In a trauma scenario where a patient presents with signs of abdominal injury,
how would you justify the use of a CT Abd/Pelvis over an abdominal
ultrasound?
Abdominal x-rays are less expensive and easier to perform.
A CT Abd/Pelvis offers superior specificity and detail for
diagnosing solid organ injuries, which is critical for treatment
planning.
An abdominal ultrasound is faster and can be done at the bedside.
Frequent abdominal examinations can provide enough information
without imaging.
