ATLS PRACTICE COMPREHENSIVE EXAM
SCRIPT 2026 SOLVED QUESTIONS FULL
SOLUTION
◉ What is true about an unrestrained pregnant driver?
A. She is at increased risk of placenta previa
B. She is at increased risk of placental abruption
C. At 33 weeks, her fetus is well protected by an amniotic fluid
cushion and thus the pregnancy is not at risk
D. If the mother's vital signs are stable, complications are unlikely.
Answer: B. She is at increased risk of placental abruption
◉ In adults, an aspirated foreign body is most likely to get stuck in
the:
A. Left main bronchus
B. Carina
C. Right main bronchus
D. Esophagus. Answer: C. Right main bronchus
◉ Skin finding characteristic of second-degree burns. Answer:
Blisters
,◉ Which is true regarding cervical spine fractures?
A. Seen most commonly in elderly females
B. Athletic activities are the most common cause
C. Falls are the most common cause
D. Methylprednisolone should not be used in associated spinal cord
injury in the first 48 hours. Answer: D. Methylprednisolone should
not be used in associated spinal cord injury in the first 48 hours
◉ In which patients can an oropharyngeal airway be used?. Answer:
Non-gag reflex
◉ If a trauma patient has clear fluid draining from the nose the
provider should do which of the following?
A. Tilt the head back
B. Apply pressure
C. Collect the fluid
D. Insert nasal tampons. Answer: C. Collect the fluid
◉ What is the estimated time a person's brain can be anoxic from
cardiopulmonary failure and not develop permanent brain damage?
A. 10 minutes
B. 5 minutes
C. 2 minutes
,D. 20 minutes. Answer: B. 5 minutes
◉ The laryngeal mask airway is contraindicated in patients with
what condition?
A. Spine injury
B. Head trauma
C. Giving birth
D. Propensity to aspirate. Answer: D. Propensity to aspirate
◉ A patient sustains blunt trauma to the back and left leg. Vital signs
in the emergency department show temperature 36 degrees C, BP
120/80 mm Hg, heart rate 92, respirations 19, GCS 15. There is
bilateral lower extremity paraplegia, T12 sensory level, and
decreased rectal tone. Hemoglobin is 14.2 and the same in one hour.
Which of the following tests is best for diagnosing an intraperitoneal
bleed?
A. Abdominal ultrasound
B. Laparotomy
C. KUB
D. Diagnostic peritoneal lavage. Answer: A. Abdominal ultrasound
◉ Why is tracheostomy generally not performed at the first cartilage
ring
A. The trachea is too narrow
, B. A high chance of subglottic stenosis
C. A high chance of tracheo-innominate artery fistula
D. Inability to access the area. Answer: B. A high chance of subglottic
stenosis
◉ What does a carotid pulse indicate?
A. A functioning pump for blood flow
B. The circulating blood volume is reaching end organs
C. Diastolic blood pressure
D. None of the above. Answer: B. The circulating blood volume is
reaching end organs
◉ Which of the following generally causes hemorrhage associated
with pelvic fractures?
A. Obturator artery injury
B. Superior gluteal artery
C. Lateral sacral artery injury
D. Venous bleeding. Answer: D. Venous bleeding
◉ Hemothorax facts. Answer: -Must have at least 500 cc of blood to
make a diagnosis on chest x-rayin an adult
-Incomplete evacuation of hemothorax can lead to empyema
-Initial treatment of hemothorax is always a chest tube
SCRIPT 2026 SOLVED QUESTIONS FULL
SOLUTION
◉ What is true about an unrestrained pregnant driver?
A. She is at increased risk of placenta previa
B. She is at increased risk of placental abruption
C. At 33 weeks, her fetus is well protected by an amniotic fluid
cushion and thus the pregnancy is not at risk
D. If the mother's vital signs are stable, complications are unlikely.
Answer: B. She is at increased risk of placental abruption
◉ In adults, an aspirated foreign body is most likely to get stuck in
the:
A. Left main bronchus
B. Carina
C. Right main bronchus
D. Esophagus. Answer: C. Right main bronchus
◉ Skin finding characteristic of second-degree burns. Answer:
Blisters
,◉ Which is true regarding cervical spine fractures?
A. Seen most commonly in elderly females
B. Athletic activities are the most common cause
C. Falls are the most common cause
D. Methylprednisolone should not be used in associated spinal cord
injury in the first 48 hours. Answer: D. Methylprednisolone should
not be used in associated spinal cord injury in the first 48 hours
◉ In which patients can an oropharyngeal airway be used?. Answer:
Non-gag reflex
◉ If a trauma patient has clear fluid draining from the nose the
provider should do which of the following?
A. Tilt the head back
B. Apply pressure
C. Collect the fluid
D. Insert nasal tampons. Answer: C. Collect the fluid
◉ What is the estimated time a person's brain can be anoxic from
cardiopulmonary failure and not develop permanent brain damage?
A. 10 minutes
B. 5 minutes
C. 2 minutes
,D. 20 minutes. Answer: B. 5 minutes
◉ The laryngeal mask airway is contraindicated in patients with
what condition?
A. Spine injury
B. Head trauma
C. Giving birth
D. Propensity to aspirate. Answer: D. Propensity to aspirate
◉ A patient sustains blunt trauma to the back and left leg. Vital signs
in the emergency department show temperature 36 degrees C, BP
120/80 mm Hg, heart rate 92, respirations 19, GCS 15. There is
bilateral lower extremity paraplegia, T12 sensory level, and
decreased rectal tone. Hemoglobin is 14.2 and the same in one hour.
Which of the following tests is best for diagnosing an intraperitoneal
bleed?
A. Abdominal ultrasound
B. Laparotomy
C. KUB
D. Diagnostic peritoneal lavage. Answer: A. Abdominal ultrasound
◉ Why is tracheostomy generally not performed at the first cartilage
ring
A. The trachea is too narrow
, B. A high chance of subglottic stenosis
C. A high chance of tracheo-innominate artery fistula
D. Inability to access the area. Answer: B. A high chance of subglottic
stenosis
◉ What does a carotid pulse indicate?
A. A functioning pump for blood flow
B. The circulating blood volume is reaching end organs
C. Diastolic blood pressure
D. None of the above. Answer: B. The circulating blood volume is
reaching end organs
◉ Which of the following generally causes hemorrhage associated
with pelvic fractures?
A. Obturator artery injury
B. Superior gluteal artery
C. Lateral sacral artery injury
D. Venous bleeding. Answer: D. Venous bleeding
◉ Hemothorax facts. Answer: -Must have at least 500 cc of blood to
make a diagnosis on chest x-rayin an adult
-Incomplete evacuation of hemothorax can lead to empyema
-Initial treatment of hemothorax is always a chest tube
