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ATLS 10th Edition Post Test
2025/2026: Questions with
Verified Answers
Initial Assessment and Airway Management
Question 1
A 22-year-old man with a shotgun wound to the left shoulder is hypotensive (BP 80/40 mm Hg).
After fluid resuscitation, BP is 122/84 mm Hg. What is the next step?
A. Order a CT scan
B. Perform an aortogram
C. Reexamine the chest
D. Obtain an arterial blood gas
Correct Answer: C. Reexamine the chest
Rationale: After initial fluid resuscitation stabilizes blood pressure, reexamining the chest
ensures no missed injuries, such as hemothorax or pneumothorax, per 2025 ATLS guidelines.
Question 2
Which of the following is the first step in the primary survey for a trauma patient?
A. Circulation assessment
B. Airway assessment
C. Disability evaluation
D. Exposure and environmental control
Correct Answer: B. Airway assessment
Rationale: The primary survey follows the ABCDE sequence, starting with airway assessment
to ensure patency, per 2025 ATLS guidelines.
Question 3
, 2
A patient with severe facial trauma has stridor and difficulty breathing. What is the definitive
airway management?
A. Bag-mask ventilation
B. Nasotracheal intubation
C. Surgical cricothyroidotomy
D. Oxygen via non-rebreather mask
Correct Answer: C. Surgical cricothyroidotomy
Rationale: Stridor and severe facial trauma indicate airway compromise, necessitating a
definitive airway via surgical cricothyroidotomy, per 2025 ATLS guidelines.
Question 4
Which finding necessitates a definitive airway in a trauma patient?
A. Facial lacerations
B. Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) score of 8
C. Chest contusion
D. Stable vital signs
Correct Answer: B. Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) score of 8
Rationale: A GCS score ≤8 indicates severe neurological impairment, requiring a definitive
airway to protect against aspiration, per 2025 ATLS guidelines.
Question 5
A trauma patient requires intubation. Which method confirms correct endotracheal tube
placement?
A. Chest X-ray
B. Pulse oximetry
C. Capnography
D. Auscultation alone
Correct Answer: C. Capnography
Rationale: Capnography is the most reliable method to confirm endotracheal tube placement by
detecting CO2, ruling out esophageal intubation, per 2025 ATLS guidelines.
Question 6
A patient with a suspected cervical spine injury requires airway management. Which technique is
most appropriate?
ATLS 10th Edition Post Test
2025/2026: Questions with
Verified Answers
Initial Assessment and Airway Management
Question 1
A 22-year-old man with a shotgun wound to the left shoulder is hypotensive (BP 80/40 mm Hg).
After fluid resuscitation, BP is 122/84 mm Hg. What is the next step?
A. Order a CT scan
B. Perform an aortogram
C. Reexamine the chest
D. Obtain an arterial blood gas
Correct Answer: C. Reexamine the chest
Rationale: After initial fluid resuscitation stabilizes blood pressure, reexamining the chest
ensures no missed injuries, such as hemothorax or pneumothorax, per 2025 ATLS guidelines.
Question 2
Which of the following is the first step in the primary survey for a trauma patient?
A. Circulation assessment
B. Airway assessment
C. Disability evaluation
D. Exposure and environmental control
Correct Answer: B. Airway assessment
Rationale: The primary survey follows the ABCDE sequence, starting with airway assessment
to ensure patency, per 2025 ATLS guidelines.
Question 3
, 2
A patient with severe facial trauma has stridor and difficulty breathing. What is the definitive
airway management?
A. Bag-mask ventilation
B. Nasotracheal intubation
C. Surgical cricothyroidotomy
D. Oxygen via non-rebreather mask
Correct Answer: C. Surgical cricothyroidotomy
Rationale: Stridor and severe facial trauma indicate airway compromise, necessitating a
definitive airway via surgical cricothyroidotomy, per 2025 ATLS guidelines.
Question 4
Which finding necessitates a definitive airway in a trauma patient?
A. Facial lacerations
B. Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) score of 8
C. Chest contusion
D. Stable vital signs
Correct Answer: B. Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) score of 8
Rationale: A GCS score ≤8 indicates severe neurological impairment, requiring a definitive
airway to protect against aspiration, per 2025 ATLS guidelines.
Question 5
A trauma patient requires intubation. Which method confirms correct endotracheal tube
placement?
A. Chest X-ray
B. Pulse oximetry
C. Capnography
D. Auscultation alone
Correct Answer: C. Capnography
Rationale: Capnography is the most reliable method to confirm endotracheal tube placement by
detecting CO2, ruling out esophageal intubation, per 2025 ATLS guidelines.
Question 6
A patient with a suspected cervical spine injury requires airway management. Which technique is
most appropriate?
