ATLS MODULE 6: HEAD TRAUMA EXAM QUESTIONS
AND CORRECT ANSWERS (VERIFIED ANSWERS) PLUS
RATIONALES 2025/2026 Q&A | INSTANT DOWNLOAD
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Distribution of brain injuries inJthe ED - correct answer-75% mild
15 moderate
10% severe
Primary goal of treatment is what - correct answer-To prevent secondary brain injury (ABCDEs)
Neurosurgical consolation table for patients with TBI - correct answer-Box 6-1
Monroe-KellieJDoctrine -Jcorrect answer-
when one content in the skull increases, another must decreaseJto compensate and maintain normal ICP
Dura mater - correct answer-
thick, outermost layer of the meninges surroundingJand protecting the brain and spinal cord
-
Skull fractures lacerate the meningeal arteries, causing hemorrhage in the epidural space. MC= middle meni
ngeal artery.
arachnoid mater - correct answer-middle layer of the meninges named for the spider-web-
likeJtrabeculae that extendJbetween it and theJpia mater
Subdural hematoma: veins beneath the surface of brain and venousJsinus within dura tear, causing hemorrha
geJin subdural space.
Pia Mater - correctJanswer-Attached to surface of brain
Subarachnoid space: Between arachnoid and pia layers, filled with cerebrospinalfluid.
Subarachnoid hemorrhage: Brain contusion and/or injuries to major blood vessels atJbase of brain cause blee
ding into subarachnoid space.
, Cerebrum parts - correctJanswer-
Right andJleft hemispheres, including frontal, parietal, temporal, andJoccipital lobes.
Brainstem parts - correct answer-midbrain, pons, medulla, including cardiorespiratory centers
CerebellumJ- correct answer-connectsJto spinal cord, brainstem, and cerebral hemispheres.
Intracranial cavity is divided into - correct answer-supratentorial and infratentorial compartments.
BlownJpupil - correct answer-Cranial nerveJ3 compressionJduring temporal lobe herniation
temporal lobe herniation - correct answer-
Uncus - correct answer-
Medial part of temporal lobe that herniates through the tentorial notch, causingJcompression of midbrain and
contralateral hemiparesis.
ipsilateral pupillary dilation with contralateral hemiparesis - correct answer-classic sign of uncal herniation
uncal herniationJ- correct answer-
Medially displaced medial temporal lobe over free margin of tentorium. Focal effacement of ambient cistern
and lateral suprasellar cistern. Rarely compresses contralateral cerebral peduncle (Kernohan's notch) against
tentorial margin.
Normal ICP - correct answer-10JmmHg
Pressures greater than 20 mmHg - correct answer-poor outcomes
Cerebral perfusionJpressure - correct answer-CPP = MAP - ICP
AND CORRECT ANSWERS (VERIFIED ANSWERS) PLUS
RATIONALES 2025/2026 Q&A | INSTANT DOWNLOAD
Distribution of brain injuries inJthe ED - correct answer-75% mild
15 moderate
10% severe
Primary goal of treatment is what - correct answer-To prevent secondary brain injury (ABCDEs)
Neurosurgical consolation table for patients with TBI - correct answer-Box 6-1
Monroe-KellieJDoctrine -Jcorrect answer-
when one content in the skull increases, another must decreaseJto compensate and maintain normal ICP
Dura mater - correct answer-
thick, outermost layer of the meninges surroundingJand protecting the brain and spinal cord
-
Skull fractures lacerate the meningeal arteries, causing hemorrhage in the epidural space. MC= middle meni
ngeal artery.
arachnoid mater - correct answer-middle layer of the meninges named for the spider-web-
likeJtrabeculae that extendJbetween it and theJpia mater
Subdural hematoma: veins beneath the surface of brain and venousJsinus within dura tear, causing hemorrha
geJin subdural space.
Pia Mater - correctJanswer-Attached to surface of brain
Subarachnoid space: Between arachnoid and pia layers, filled with cerebrospinalfluid.
Subarachnoid hemorrhage: Brain contusion and/or injuries to major blood vessels atJbase of brain cause blee
ding into subarachnoid space.
, Cerebrum parts - correctJanswer-
Right andJleft hemispheres, including frontal, parietal, temporal, andJoccipital lobes.
Brainstem parts - correct answer-midbrain, pons, medulla, including cardiorespiratory centers
CerebellumJ- correct answer-connectsJto spinal cord, brainstem, and cerebral hemispheres.
Intracranial cavity is divided into - correct answer-supratentorial and infratentorial compartments.
BlownJpupil - correct answer-Cranial nerveJ3 compressionJduring temporal lobe herniation
temporal lobe herniation - correct answer-
Uncus - correct answer-
Medial part of temporal lobe that herniates through the tentorial notch, causingJcompression of midbrain and
contralateral hemiparesis.
ipsilateral pupillary dilation with contralateral hemiparesis - correct answer-classic sign of uncal herniation
uncal herniationJ- correct answer-
Medially displaced medial temporal lobe over free margin of tentorium. Focal effacement of ambient cistern
and lateral suprasellar cistern. Rarely compresses contralateral cerebral peduncle (Kernohan's notch) against
tentorial margin.
Normal ICP - correct answer-10JmmHg
Pressures greater than 20 mmHg - correct answer-poor outcomes
Cerebral perfusionJpressure - correct answer-CPP = MAP - ICP
