ATLS PRE AND POST TEST
REAL EXAM QUESTIONS
AND CORRECT ANSWERS
GRADED A+ 2024
1. The displacement of tissue away from the path of a projectile, both temporarily and
permanently, is known as:
A. Conization
B. Cavitation
C. Crepitation
D. Contusion: B. Cavitation
2. The single most important factor in determining the potential for injury due to energy
exchange is:
A. Mass of the bodies involved
B. Velocity of the bodies involved
C. Density of the tissues involved
D. Surface area of the impact involved: B. Velocity of the bodies involved
3. In the management of shock, isotonic crystalloid solutions, such as Ringer's, are preferred
because:
,A. The protein molecules in crystalloid solutions act as volume expanders B. These fluids
draw interstitial fluid into the vascular space to enhance volume
C. These solutions will stay in the vascular space longer than water solutions, such as
D5W
D. Their pH enhance oxygen delivery to the tissues: C. These solutions will stay in the
vascular space longer than water solutions, such as D5W
4. With respect to the distance of a fall, which of the following is a guideline for determining
a critical fall?
A. 3 times the height of the patient
B. 2 times the height of the patient
C. 5 times the height of the patient
D. 1 ½ times the height of the patient: A. 3 times the height of the patient
5. The phase of an explosion, or blast, in which hollow organs are squeezed and may rupture
is called the __________ phase.
A. Tertiary phase
B. Quaternary phase
C. Secondary phase
D. Primary phase: D. Primary phase
6. During the primary survey and management of a trauma patient, the E in ABCDE stands
for _________?
A. Edema
B. Eyes & ears
,C. Expose/Environment
D. Electrical therapy: C. Expose/Environment
7. The time in which surgical intervention can make a difference in patient outcome is the
__________?
A. Golden period
B. Golden time
C. Golden era
D. Golden minutes: A. Golden period (hour)
8. In the absence of extenuating circumstances, the maximum amount of time it should take
to identify and manage immediate threats to life, prepare the patient for transport and begin
transport is _________?
A. 5 minutes
B. 10 minutes
C. 15 minutes
D. 30 minutes: B. 10 minutes
9. In which of the following situations is the use of a short spinal immobilization device
indicated?
A. 28 year old male, unrestrained driver in a frontal impact crash. Awake, asks repeatedly
what happened, complains of a headache, has a hematoma on his forehead. BP 122/84, HR
92, VR 20.
, B. 40 year old female who was pushed down a flight of stairs and is lying prone on the
landing between two flights of stairs, complaining of back pain. BP 118/78, HR 100, VR
20.
C. 17 year old female, restrained driver in a frontal impact crash. Awake, pale and
diaphoretic, complains of upper right quadrant abdominal pain. BP 100/70,
HR 108, VR 20. D. None of the above: D. None of the above
10. Your patient is a 32 year old man, restrained driver of a vehicle that has been involved
in a frontal impact with a concrete bridge abutment. The patient is awake, but has difficulty
answering questions due to shortness of breath. His ventilatory rate is 30 per minute. Of the
following choices, when is the first time the patient's breath sounds should be checked?
A. As soon as he is removed from the vehicle
B. Prior to being removed from the vehicle
C. As soon as he is immobilized on a long backboard
D. Enroute to the trauma center: B. Prior to being removed from the vehicle
11. Which of the following represents adequate spontaneous ventilation in an adult?
A. Tidal volume 100 mL, ventilatory rate 40/minute
B. Tidal volume 500 mL, ventilatory rate 8/minute
C. Tidal volume 300 mL, ventilatory rate 16/minute
D. Tidal volume 600 mL, ventilatory rate 12/minute: D. Tidal volume 600 mL, ventilatory
rate 12/minute
12. Which of the following is 100% accurate in verifying endotracheal tube placement?
A. Pulse oximetry
B. End-tidal capnometry
REAL EXAM QUESTIONS
AND CORRECT ANSWERS
GRADED A+ 2024
1. The displacement of tissue away from the path of a projectile, both temporarily and
permanently, is known as:
A. Conization
B. Cavitation
C. Crepitation
D. Contusion: B. Cavitation
2. The single most important factor in determining the potential for injury due to energy
exchange is:
A. Mass of the bodies involved
B. Velocity of the bodies involved
C. Density of the tissues involved
D. Surface area of the impact involved: B. Velocity of the bodies involved
3. In the management of shock, isotonic crystalloid solutions, such as Ringer's, are preferred
because:
,A. The protein molecules in crystalloid solutions act as volume expanders B. These fluids
draw interstitial fluid into the vascular space to enhance volume
C. These solutions will stay in the vascular space longer than water solutions, such as
D5W
D. Their pH enhance oxygen delivery to the tissues: C. These solutions will stay in the
vascular space longer than water solutions, such as D5W
4. With respect to the distance of a fall, which of the following is a guideline for determining
a critical fall?
A. 3 times the height of the patient
B. 2 times the height of the patient
C. 5 times the height of the patient
D. 1 ½ times the height of the patient: A. 3 times the height of the patient
5. The phase of an explosion, or blast, in which hollow organs are squeezed and may rupture
is called the __________ phase.
A. Tertiary phase
B. Quaternary phase
C. Secondary phase
D. Primary phase: D. Primary phase
6. During the primary survey and management of a trauma patient, the E in ABCDE stands
for _________?
A. Edema
B. Eyes & ears
,C. Expose/Environment
D. Electrical therapy: C. Expose/Environment
7. The time in which surgical intervention can make a difference in patient outcome is the
__________?
A. Golden period
B. Golden time
C. Golden era
D. Golden minutes: A. Golden period (hour)
8. In the absence of extenuating circumstances, the maximum amount of time it should take
to identify and manage immediate threats to life, prepare the patient for transport and begin
transport is _________?
A. 5 minutes
B. 10 minutes
C. 15 minutes
D. 30 minutes: B. 10 minutes
9. In which of the following situations is the use of a short spinal immobilization device
indicated?
A. 28 year old male, unrestrained driver in a frontal impact crash. Awake, asks repeatedly
what happened, complains of a headache, has a hematoma on his forehead. BP 122/84, HR
92, VR 20.
, B. 40 year old female who was pushed down a flight of stairs and is lying prone on the
landing between two flights of stairs, complaining of back pain. BP 118/78, HR 100, VR
20.
C. 17 year old female, restrained driver in a frontal impact crash. Awake, pale and
diaphoretic, complains of upper right quadrant abdominal pain. BP 100/70,
HR 108, VR 20. D. None of the above: D. None of the above
10. Your patient is a 32 year old man, restrained driver of a vehicle that has been involved
in a frontal impact with a concrete bridge abutment. The patient is awake, but has difficulty
answering questions due to shortness of breath. His ventilatory rate is 30 per minute. Of the
following choices, when is the first time the patient's breath sounds should be checked?
A. As soon as he is removed from the vehicle
B. Prior to being removed from the vehicle
C. As soon as he is immobilized on a long backboard
D. Enroute to the trauma center: B. Prior to being removed from the vehicle
11. Which of the following represents adequate spontaneous ventilation in an adult?
A. Tidal volume 100 mL, ventilatory rate 40/minute
B. Tidal volume 500 mL, ventilatory rate 8/minute
C. Tidal volume 300 mL, ventilatory rate 16/minute
D. Tidal volume 600 mL, ventilatory rate 12/minute: D. Tidal volume 600 mL, ventilatory
rate 12/minute
12. Which of the following is 100% accurate in verifying endotracheal tube placement?
A. Pulse oximetry
B. End-tidal capnometry
