ATLS 11th Edition Actual Exam 2026/2027 |
Verified Questions
American College of Surgeons (ACS) | Verified Q&A | Professional Trauma Care and Emergency
Medicine Candidates
This comprehensive actual exam set contains exactly 100 items constructed to reinforce the official ATLS
11th Edition course objectives for the 2026/2027 curriculum. The content is organized across four
domains: Initial Assessment and Management (Primary Survey), Airway and Ventilatory Management,
Shock and Resuscitation, and Thoracic, Abdominal, and Musculoskeletal Trauma. Each domain contains
25 questions drawn from distinct sub-topics, so every item evaluates a separate body of knowledge with
no duplication across the examination. The items are designed for Professional, Certification, and Higher
Education trauma care and emergency medicine candidates who are working toward the actual exam, and
each question is paired with a rationale grounded in the official ATLS 11th Edition Student Course
Manual, current trauma care guidelines, and evidence-based emergency medicine standards. Working
through all 100 questions will reinforce trauma assessment, resuscitation, and management skills
required for clinical trauma proficiency and actual exam readiness.
Domain: Initial Assessment and Management (Primary Survey)
1. What is the first step in the primary survey of a trauma patient?
A. Obtain a full history.
B. Assess the blood pressure.
C. Check the pupils.
D. Assess the airway while protecting the cervical spine.
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The primary survey begins with airway assessment while protecting the cervical spine.
This is the foundation of the ATLS approach.
2. During the primary survey, which sequence is followed?
A. Exposure, airway, breathing, circulation, disability.
B. Airway, breathing, circulation, disability, and exposure.
C. Circulation, airway, exposure, disability, breathing.
D. Disability, airway, circulation, breathing, exposure.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The primary survey follows the sequence of airway, breathing, circulation, disability,
and exposure (ABCDE). This is the standard ATLS order.
3. Which step of the primary survey involves assessing the level of consciousness?
A. Exposure.
B. Disability.
C. Airway.
D. Breathing.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Disability is the assessment of the level of consciousness in the primary survey. This is a
key component.
4. Which measure is important to protect the cervical spine during the primary survey?
ATLS 11th Edition Actual Exam 2026/2027 | Verified Questions
, A. Maintain cervical spine immobilization.
B. Let the patient move freely.
C. Elevate the head only.
D. Remove the collar.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Cervical spine immobilization is maintained during the primary survey to prevent
spinal injury. This is a critical safety measure.
5. Which adjunct is used to assess the level of consciousness in a trauma patient?
A. A pain scale.
B. The Braden Scale.
C. The Glasgow Coma Scale.
D. The Morse Fall Scale.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The Glasgow Coma Scale assesses the level of consciousness in a trauma patient. This is
a key assessment tool.
6. Which finding indicates a problem with the circulation step of the primary survey?
A. A normal blood pressure.
B. Warm, well-perfused skin.
C. Clear breath sounds.
D. A weak, rapid pulse with cool, pale skin.
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: A weak, rapid pulse with cool, pale skin suggests circulatory compromise. This is a
priority finding in the primary survey.
7. During the primary survey, when is the patient fully undressed for assessment?
A. At the very beginning.
B. Never.
C. During the exposure step, while preventing hypothermia.
D. Only after a CT scan.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: During the exposure step, the patient is fully undressed for a complete assessment while
hypothermia is prevented. This is a primary survey step.
8. Which measure prevents hypothermia when the patient is exposed?
A. Expose the patient for long periods.
B. Use warm blankets and warm fluids.
C. Leave the patient uncovered.
D. Use cold fluids.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Preventing hypothermia during exposure uses warm blankets and warm fluids. This is
a critical measure.
9. Which action is appropriate during the primary survey if a life-threatening problem is
found?
A. Delay treatment.
B. Document only.
C. Finish the full survey first.
D. Treat it immediately before continuing the survey.
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Life-threatening problems are treated immediately when found during the primary
survey. This is the ATLS priority.
ATLS 11th Edition Actual Exam 2026/2027 | Verified Questions
, 10. Which component of the primary survey assesses breathing?
A. Assess the abdomen only.
B. Obtain a history.
C. Check the pupils.
D. Inspect, palpate, percuss, and auscultate the chest.
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Breathing is assessed by inspecting, palpating, percussing, and auscultating the chest.
This is a key primary survey step.
11. Which finding suggests an airway obstruction during the primary survey?
A. Stridor or absent breath sounds with respiratory effort.
B. Clear breath sounds.
C. A strong cough.
D. Normal ventilation.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Stridor or absent breath sounds with respiratory effort suggest an airway obstruction.
This is a critical finding.
12. Which intervention is the priority for a patient with an obstructed airway?
A. Apply a splint.
B. Open and clear the airway while protecting the spine.
C. Start an IV.
D. Obtain a history.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Opening and clearing the airway is the priority for airway obstruction, while
protecting the spine. This is a primary survey intervention.
13. Which step of the primary survey is repeated after any major intervention?
A. The discharge plan.
B. Reassessment of the primary survey.
C. The full history.
D. The medication list.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The primary survey is reassessed after any major intervention. This is a key ATLS
principle.
14. Which adjunct is used during the primary survey to monitor oxygen saturation?
A. Pulse oximetry.
B. A scale.
C. A thermometer.
D. A blood glucose meter.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Pulse oximetry monitors oxygen saturation during the primary survey. This is a key
monitoring adjunct.
15. Which finding is a priority in the disability assessment?
A. Normal motor response.
B. Stable pupils.
C. Clear speech.
D. A decreasing level of consciousness.
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: A decreasing level of consciousness is a priority finding in the disability assessment.
This may indicate a neurologic problem.
ATLS 11th Edition Actual Exam 2026/2027 | Verified Questions
Verified Questions
American College of Surgeons (ACS) | Verified Q&A | Professional Trauma Care and Emergency
Medicine Candidates
This comprehensive actual exam set contains exactly 100 items constructed to reinforce the official ATLS
11th Edition course objectives for the 2026/2027 curriculum. The content is organized across four
domains: Initial Assessment and Management (Primary Survey), Airway and Ventilatory Management,
Shock and Resuscitation, and Thoracic, Abdominal, and Musculoskeletal Trauma. Each domain contains
25 questions drawn from distinct sub-topics, so every item evaluates a separate body of knowledge with
no duplication across the examination. The items are designed for Professional, Certification, and Higher
Education trauma care and emergency medicine candidates who are working toward the actual exam, and
each question is paired with a rationale grounded in the official ATLS 11th Edition Student Course
Manual, current trauma care guidelines, and evidence-based emergency medicine standards. Working
through all 100 questions will reinforce trauma assessment, resuscitation, and management skills
required for clinical trauma proficiency and actual exam readiness.
Domain: Initial Assessment and Management (Primary Survey)
1. What is the first step in the primary survey of a trauma patient?
A. Obtain a full history.
B. Assess the blood pressure.
C. Check the pupils.
D. Assess the airway while protecting the cervical spine.
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The primary survey begins with airway assessment while protecting the cervical spine.
This is the foundation of the ATLS approach.
2. During the primary survey, which sequence is followed?
A. Exposure, airway, breathing, circulation, disability.
B. Airway, breathing, circulation, disability, and exposure.
C. Circulation, airway, exposure, disability, breathing.
D. Disability, airway, circulation, breathing, exposure.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The primary survey follows the sequence of airway, breathing, circulation, disability,
and exposure (ABCDE). This is the standard ATLS order.
3. Which step of the primary survey involves assessing the level of consciousness?
A. Exposure.
B. Disability.
C. Airway.
D. Breathing.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Disability is the assessment of the level of consciousness in the primary survey. This is a
key component.
4. Which measure is important to protect the cervical spine during the primary survey?
ATLS 11th Edition Actual Exam 2026/2027 | Verified Questions
, A. Maintain cervical spine immobilization.
B. Let the patient move freely.
C. Elevate the head only.
D. Remove the collar.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Cervical spine immobilization is maintained during the primary survey to prevent
spinal injury. This is a critical safety measure.
5. Which adjunct is used to assess the level of consciousness in a trauma patient?
A. A pain scale.
B. The Braden Scale.
C. The Glasgow Coma Scale.
D. The Morse Fall Scale.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The Glasgow Coma Scale assesses the level of consciousness in a trauma patient. This is
a key assessment tool.
6. Which finding indicates a problem with the circulation step of the primary survey?
A. A normal blood pressure.
B. Warm, well-perfused skin.
C. Clear breath sounds.
D. A weak, rapid pulse with cool, pale skin.
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: A weak, rapid pulse with cool, pale skin suggests circulatory compromise. This is a
priority finding in the primary survey.
7. During the primary survey, when is the patient fully undressed for assessment?
A. At the very beginning.
B. Never.
C. During the exposure step, while preventing hypothermia.
D. Only after a CT scan.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: During the exposure step, the patient is fully undressed for a complete assessment while
hypothermia is prevented. This is a primary survey step.
8. Which measure prevents hypothermia when the patient is exposed?
A. Expose the patient for long periods.
B. Use warm blankets and warm fluids.
C. Leave the patient uncovered.
D. Use cold fluids.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Preventing hypothermia during exposure uses warm blankets and warm fluids. This is
a critical measure.
9. Which action is appropriate during the primary survey if a life-threatening problem is
found?
A. Delay treatment.
B. Document only.
C. Finish the full survey first.
D. Treat it immediately before continuing the survey.
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Life-threatening problems are treated immediately when found during the primary
survey. This is the ATLS priority.
ATLS 11th Edition Actual Exam 2026/2027 | Verified Questions
, 10. Which component of the primary survey assesses breathing?
A. Assess the abdomen only.
B. Obtain a history.
C. Check the pupils.
D. Inspect, palpate, percuss, and auscultate the chest.
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Breathing is assessed by inspecting, palpating, percussing, and auscultating the chest.
This is a key primary survey step.
11. Which finding suggests an airway obstruction during the primary survey?
A. Stridor or absent breath sounds with respiratory effort.
B. Clear breath sounds.
C. A strong cough.
D. Normal ventilation.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Stridor or absent breath sounds with respiratory effort suggest an airway obstruction.
This is a critical finding.
12. Which intervention is the priority for a patient with an obstructed airway?
A. Apply a splint.
B. Open and clear the airway while protecting the spine.
C. Start an IV.
D. Obtain a history.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Opening and clearing the airway is the priority for airway obstruction, while
protecting the spine. This is a primary survey intervention.
13. Which step of the primary survey is repeated after any major intervention?
A. The discharge plan.
B. Reassessment of the primary survey.
C. The full history.
D. The medication list.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The primary survey is reassessed after any major intervention. This is a key ATLS
principle.
14. Which adjunct is used during the primary survey to monitor oxygen saturation?
A. Pulse oximetry.
B. A scale.
C. A thermometer.
D. A blood glucose meter.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Pulse oximetry monitors oxygen saturation during the primary survey. This is a key
monitoring adjunct.
15. Which finding is a priority in the disability assessment?
A. Normal motor response.
B. Stable pupils.
C. Clear speech.
D. A decreasing level of consciousness.
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: A decreasing level of consciousness is a priority finding in the disability assessment.
This may indicate a neurologic problem.
ATLS 11th Edition Actual Exam 2026/2027 | Verified Questions
