Advanced Trauma Life Support (ATLS) Post-
Test – 150-Question Practice Exam
All Exams Package Deal | 10th Edition |
2025/2026 Complete Q&A Collection
Section I: Initial Assessment and Primary Survey (1–25)
1. What is the correct sequence of the ATLS primary survey?
A. Airway, Breathing, Circulation, Disability, Exposure
B. Breathing, Airway, Circulation, Disability, Exposure
C. Circulation, Airway, Breathing, Disability, Exposure
D. Disability, Airway, Breathing, Circulation, Exposure
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The ATLS primary survey follows the ABCDE sequence: Airway with cervical spine
protection, Breathing, Circulation with hemorrhage control, Disability, and
Exposure/Environmental control.
2. What is the first priority in the ATLS primary survey?
A. Airway maintenance with cervical spine protection
B. Breathing and ventilation
C. Circulation with hemorrhage control
D. Disability and neurological status
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Airway with cervical spine protection is the first priority in the primary survey.
3. What is the "golden hour" in trauma care?
A. The first hour after injury when definitive care is most critical
B. The first 24 hours after injury
C. The first 6 hours after injury
D. The first 30 minutes after injury
, Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The golden hour is the period immediately following injury when prompt
assessment and resuscitation can significantly improve outcomes.
4. What is the primary goal of the ATLS approach?
A. To treat the greatest threat to life first
B. To complete a full diagnostic workup
C. To obtain a detailed history
D. To transfer the patient immediately
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: ATLS prioritizes treating the greatest threat to life first.
5. What does the "D" in the primary survey stand for?
A. Disability (neurological status)
B. Diagnostic testing
C. Discharge planning
D. Drug administration
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: D stands for Disability, which is a rapid assessment of neurological status using
the Glasgow Coma Scale and pupillary examination.
6. What does the "E" in the primary survey stand for?
A. Exposure and environmental control
B. Evaluation
C. Examination
D. Emergency surgery
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: E stands for Exposure, which involves undressing the patient completely while
preventing hypothermia.
7. What is the purpose of the secondary survey?
,A. To perform a head-to-toe examination and obtain a complete history
B. To complete the primary survey
C. To perform immediate surgery
D. To transfer the patient
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The secondary survey is a head-to-toe evaluation to identify all injuries after the
primary survey is complete.
8. When should the secondary survey begin?
A. Only after the primary survey is complete and resuscitation is underway
B. Before the primary survey
C. During the primary survey
D. After transfer
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The secondary survey begins only after the primary survey is complete and
resuscitation has been initiated.
9. What is the AMPLE history?
A. Allergies, Medications, Past illnesses, Last meal, Events
B. Age, Medical history, Pain, Labs, Examination
C. Airway, Medications, Pulse, Lungs, Extremities
D. Allergies, Medical history, Pain, Last meal, Examination
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: AMPLE stands for Allergies, Medications, Past illnesses/Pregnancy, Last meal,
and Events/Environment related to the injury.
10. What is the Glasgow Coma Scale?
A. A neurological assessment tool that scores eye, verbal, and motor responses
B. A trauma scoring system based on vital signs
C. A pain assessment tool
D. A respiratory assessment tool
, Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The GCS scores eye opening, verbal response, and motor response, with total
scores ranging from 3 to 15.
11. What is the maximum Glasgow Coma Scale score?
A. 15
B. 10
C. 12
D. 20
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The maximum GCS score is 15 (E4 + V5 + M6).
12. What is the minimum Glasgow Coma Scale score?
A. 3
B. 1
C. 0
D. 5
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The minimum GCS score is 3 (E1 + V1 + M1).
13. What GCS score indicates severe head injury?
A. ≤8
B. ≤12
C. ≤10
D. ≤14
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: A GCS score of ≤8 indicates severe head injury.
14. What GCS score indicates moderate head injury?
A. 9–12
B. 13–15
Test – 150-Question Practice Exam
All Exams Package Deal | 10th Edition |
2025/2026 Complete Q&A Collection
Section I: Initial Assessment and Primary Survey (1–25)
1. What is the correct sequence of the ATLS primary survey?
A. Airway, Breathing, Circulation, Disability, Exposure
B. Breathing, Airway, Circulation, Disability, Exposure
C. Circulation, Airway, Breathing, Disability, Exposure
D. Disability, Airway, Breathing, Circulation, Exposure
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The ATLS primary survey follows the ABCDE sequence: Airway with cervical spine
protection, Breathing, Circulation with hemorrhage control, Disability, and
Exposure/Environmental control.
2. What is the first priority in the ATLS primary survey?
A. Airway maintenance with cervical spine protection
B. Breathing and ventilation
C. Circulation with hemorrhage control
D. Disability and neurological status
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Airway with cervical spine protection is the first priority in the primary survey.
3. What is the "golden hour" in trauma care?
A. The first hour after injury when definitive care is most critical
B. The first 24 hours after injury
C. The first 6 hours after injury
D. The first 30 minutes after injury
, Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The golden hour is the period immediately following injury when prompt
assessment and resuscitation can significantly improve outcomes.
4. What is the primary goal of the ATLS approach?
A. To treat the greatest threat to life first
B. To complete a full diagnostic workup
C. To obtain a detailed history
D. To transfer the patient immediately
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: ATLS prioritizes treating the greatest threat to life first.
5. What does the "D" in the primary survey stand for?
A. Disability (neurological status)
B. Diagnostic testing
C. Discharge planning
D. Drug administration
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: D stands for Disability, which is a rapid assessment of neurological status using
the Glasgow Coma Scale and pupillary examination.
6. What does the "E" in the primary survey stand for?
A. Exposure and environmental control
B. Evaluation
C. Examination
D. Emergency surgery
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: E stands for Exposure, which involves undressing the patient completely while
preventing hypothermia.
7. What is the purpose of the secondary survey?
,A. To perform a head-to-toe examination and obtain a complete history
B. To complete the primary survey
C. To perform immediate surgery
D. To transfer the patient
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The secondary survey is a head-to-toe evaluation to identify all injuries after the
primary survey is complete.
8. When should the secondary survey begin?
A. Only after the primary survey is complete and resuscitation is underway
B. Before the primary survey
C. During the primary survey
D. After transfer
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The secondary survey begins only after the primary survey is complete and
resuscitation has been initiated.
9. What is the AMPLE history?
A. Allergies, Medications, Past illnesses, Last meal, Events
B. Age, Medical history, Pain, Labs, Examination
C. Airway, Medications, Pulse, Lungs, Extremities
D. Allergies, Medical history, Pain, Last meal, Examination
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: AMPLE stands for Allergies, Medications, Past illnesses/Pregnancy, Last meal,
and Events/Environment related to the injury.
10. What is the Glasgow Coma Scale?
A. A neurological assessment tool that scores eye, verbal, and motor responses
B. A trauma scoring system based on vital signs
C. A pain assessment tool
D. A respiratory assessment tool
, Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The GCS scores eye opening, verbal response, and motor response, with total
scores ranging from 3 to 15.
11. What is the maximum Glasgow Coma Scale score?
A. 15
B. 10
C. 12
D. 20
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The maximum GCS score is 15 (E4 + V5 + M6).
12. What is the minimum Glasgow Coma Scale score?
A. 3
B. 1
C. 0
D. 5
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The minimum GCS score is 3 (E1 + V1 + M1).
13. What GCS score indicates severe head injury?
A. ≤8
B. ≤12
C. ≤10
D. ≤14
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: A GCS score of ≤8 indicates severe head injury.
14. What GCS score indicates moderate head injury?
A. 9–12
B. 13–15
