ATLS Post Test With correct answers
2026-2027
A 22 year-old male is-brought by ambulance to a small community
hospital after falling-from the top of an 8 foot ladder. Initially, he
was found to have a large right pneumothorax. A chest tube was inserted and connected
to an underwater seal drainage collection system with negative pressure. A repeat CXR
demonstrates a residual, large right pneumothorax. After transferring the patient to a
verified trauma center, a third chest x-ray reveals a persistent-right
pneumothorax. The chest tube appears to be functioning and in good position. He
remains hemodynamically normal with no signs of respiratory distress. The most
likely cause for the persistent right pneumothorax is:
A. Flail chest
B. Diaphragmatic injury
C. Pulmonary contusion
D. Esophageal perforation
E. Tracheobronchial injury - correct-answers -E. Tracheobronchial injury
Which of the following is LEAST reliable for diagnosing ESOPHAGEAL intubation?
A. symmetrical chest wall movement
B. end-tidal CO2
,C. bilateral breath sounds
D. oxygen saturation >92%
E. ETT above carina on chest x-ray - correct-answers -D. oxygen saturation >92%
-> if it says ESOPHAGEAL, go with this answer
Which of the following signs necessitates the need for-a definitive airway in severe
trauma patient?
A. facial lacerations
B. repeated vomiting
C. severe maxillofacial trauma
D. sternal fracture
E. GCS 12 - correct-answers -C. Severe maxillofacial trauma
Twenty seven people are severely injured in an aircraft crash at a local airport. The
principles of triage include:
A. establish a triage site within the internal perimeter of the crash site
B. treat only the most severely injured patients first
C. immediately transport all patients to the nearest hospital
D. treat the greatest number of patients in the shortest period of time
E. produce the greatest number of survivors based on available resources - correct-
answers -E. Produce the greatest number of survivors based on available resources
Which of the following statements are correct?
A. Cerebral contusions may coalesce to form an intracerebral hematoma
B. Epidural hematomas are usually seen in the frontal region
C. Subdural hematomas are caused by injury to the middle meningeal artery
D. Subdural hematomas typically have a lenticular shape on CT
,E. The associated brain damage is more severe in epidural hematomas - correct-
answers -A. Cerebral contusions may coalesce to form an intracerebral hematoma
EM: Epidural, middle meningeal
SuB: Subdural, Bridging veins
An 18 year old male is brought to the ED after being shot. He has one bullet wound
just below-the right clavicle and another just below the costal margin in the right-
posterior axillary line. His blood pressure is 110/60, heart rate of 90, and respiratory
rate of-34. After ensuring a patent
airway and inserting 2 large caliber IV lines, the next most appropriate step is to:
A. Obtain a portable chest x-ray
B. Administer a bolus of additional IV fluid
C. Perform a laparatomy
D. Obtain an abdominal CT scan
E. Perform diagnostic peritoneal lavage - correct-answers -A. Obtain a portable
chest x-ray need more info on chest, not abdomen
Which of the following should be performed FIRST in any patient whose injuries may
include multiple closed extremity fractures?
A. A thorough assessment of four limb perfusion
B. Manuevers to prevent necrosis of the skin
C. Extremity compartment syndrome release
D. Ensuring adequate oxygenation and ventilation
E. Evaluation for occult crush syndrome - correct-answers -D. Ensuring adequate
oxygenation and ventilation
(ABC's)
A 22 year old male sustains a shotgun wound to the shoulder and chest at close range.
His BP is 80/40 and HR 130. After 2 L of crystalloid solution are rapidly infused, his BP
, increases to 122/84
2026-2027
A 22 year-old male is-brought by ambulance to a small community
hospital after falling-from the top of an 8 foot ladder. Initially, he
was found to have a large right pneumothorax. A chest tube was inserted and connected
to an underwater seal drainage collection system with negative pressure. A repeat CXR
demonstrates a residual, large right pneumothorax. After transferring the patient to a
verified trauma center, a third chest x-ray reveals a persistent-right
pneumothorax. The chest tube appears to be functioning and in good position. He
remains hemodynamically normal with no signs of respiratory distress. The most
likely cause for the persistent right pneumothorax is:
A. Flail chest
B. Diaphragmatic injury
C. Pulmonary contusion
D. Esophageal perforation
E. Tracheobronchial injury - correct-answers -E. Tracheobronchial injury
Which of the following is LEAST reliable for diagnosing ESOPHAGEAL intubation?
A. symmetrical chest wall movement
B. end-tidal CO2
,C. bilateral breath sounds
D. oxygen saturation >92%
E. ETT above carina on chest x-ray - correct-answers -D. oxygen saturation >92%
-> if it says ESOPHAGEAL, go with this answer
Which of the following signs necessitates the need for-a definitive airway in severe
trauma patient?
A. facial lacerations
B. repeated vomiting
C. severe maxillofacial trauma
D. sternal fracture
E. GCS 12 - correct-answers -C. Severe maxillofacial trauma
Twenty seven people are severely injured in an aircraft crash at a local airport. The
principles of triage include:
A. establish a triage site within the internal perimeter of the crash site
B. treat only the most severely injured patients first
C. immediately transport all patients to the nearest hospital
D. treat the greatest number of patients in the shortest period of time
E. produce the greatest number of survivors based on available resources - correct-
answers -E. Produce the greatest number of survivors based on available resources
Which of the following statements are correct?
A. Cerebral contusions may coalesce to form an intracerebral hematoma
B. Epidural hematomas are usually seen in the frontal region
C. Subdural hematomas are caused by injury to the middle meningeal artery
D. Subdural hematomas typically have a lenticular shape on CT
,E. The associated brain damage is more severe in epidural hematomas - correct-
answers -A. Cerebral contusions may coalesce to form an intracerebral hematoma
EM: Epidural, middle meningeal
SuB: Subdural, Bridging veins
An 18 year old male is brought to the ED after being shot. He has one bullet wound
just below-the right clavicle and another just below the costal margin in the right-
posterior axillary line. His blood pressure is 110/60, heart rate of 90, and respiratory
rate of-34. After ensuring a patent
airway and inserting 2 large caliber IV lines, the next most appropriate step is to:
A. Obtain a portable chest x-ray
B. Administer a bolus of additional IV fluid
C. Perform a laparatomy
D. Obtain an abdominal CT scan
E. Perform diagnostic peritoneal lavage - correct-answers -A. Obtain a portable
chest x-ray need more info on chest, not abdomen
Which of the following should be performed FIRST in any patient whose injuries may
include multiple closed extremity fractures?
A. A thorough assessment of four limb perfusion
B. Manuevers to prevent necrosis of the skin
C. Extremity compartment syndrome release
D. Ensuring adequate oxygenation and ventilation
E. Evaluation for occult crush syndrome - correct-answers -D. Ensuring adequate
oxygenation and ventilation
(ABC's)
A 22 year old male sustains a shotgun wound to the shoulder and chest at close range.
His BP is 80/40 and HR 130. After 2 L of crystalloid solution are rapidly infused, his BP
, increases to 122/84
