2024 ATLS PRACTICE EXAM
QUESTIONS WITH ANSWERS
What is the main bleeding source in a subdural hematoma?
A. Capillary
B. Venous
C. Arterial
D. Mix type - CORRECT-ANSWERSB. Venous
Central venous pressure is reflective of: - CORRECT-ANSWERSPressure of
blood returning to the heart
Why does the ACLS protocol recommend epinephrine?
A. Increases muscular blood flow
B. Dilates the bronchioles
C. Enhances myocardial contractility D. Raises the systolic blood pressure -
CORRECT-ANSWERSC. Enhances myocardial contractility
What occurs in patients developing a central herniation of the brain?
A. One sided paralysis
B. Pupillary constriction
C. Bilateral deterioration of functioning
D. Lower extremity paralysis - CORRECT-ANSWERSC. Bilateral deterioration
of functioning
Blood containing HIV that is spilled on the floor can be disinfected with which
of the following?
A. Benzene
B. Sodium hypochlorite
C. Iodine
D. Penicillin - CORRECT-ANSWERSB. Sodium hypochlorite
What is the most likely place for an over advanced endotracheal (ET) tube to
enter?
A. Stomach
B. Right mainstem bronchus
C. Soft palate
D. Left mainstem bronchus - CORRECT-ANSWERSB. Right mainstem
bronchus
,For flail chest to occur... - CORRECT-ANSWERS3 or more anterior and
posterior rib fractures need to be present
In comparison to the vocal cords, where is the laryngeal mask airway usually
placed?
A. Superior
B. Inferior
C. Adjacent
D. Flush - CORRECT-ANSWERSA. Superior
A patient is involved in a MVA. He suffers a left femur fracture with head
trauma. He is resuscitated at the scene and stabilized. Upon transfer to the
ER, his blood pressure gradually decreases and then suddenly drops to
60/40. He has a splint on the left leg. What is the most likely cause of his
decreased blood pressure?
A. Head trauma
B. Abdominal organ rupture
C. Rib fracture
D. Cardiac contusion - CORRECT-ANSWERSB. Abdominal organ rupture
In a patient with head trauma, what indicates rising intracranial pressure
(ICP)? - CORRECT-ANSWERSPupillary dilation
Wide pulse pressure
Rising BP
In which of the following clinical contexts is an urgent, post-traumatic head
CT NOT necessary?
A. Individual with seizures
B. Individual with a progressive headache
C. Individual with an unreliable history
D. Individual with a Glasgow coma scale score of 15 - CORRECT-ANSWERSD.
Individual with a Glasgow coma scale score of 15
Which of the following is CORRECT about visceral pain?
A. Always superficial
B. Difficulty to localize
C. Only seen in peritonitis
D. Is rarely referred - CORRECT-ANSWERSB. Difficulty to localize
Emergency decompression of the brain with a subdural hematoma should be
evacuated if there is a midline shift of what amount?
A. 1 mm
B. 2 mm
C. 5 mm
D. 10 mm - CORRECT-ANSWERSC. 5 mm
,To relieve a right tension pneumothorax, where should the needle should be
placed?
A. 4th intercostal space left of the mediastinum
B. 2nd intercostal space left of the mediastinum
C. 4th intercostal space right of the mediastinum
D. 2nd intercostal space right of the mediastinum - CORRECT-ANSWERSD.
2nd intercostal space right of the mediastinum
A patient has been in a major MVA and is comatose. He has a high level of
alcohol and is hypothermic. Which of the following test can stand alone in
certifying the patient as brain dead?
A. Apnea test
B. Absence of oculocephalic and oculovestibular reflexes
C. Absence of blood flow on cerebral angiogram after warming
D. EEG - CORRECT-ANSWERSC. Absence of blood flow on cerebral angiogram
after warming
Assessed first in trauma patient - CORRECT-ANSWERSAirway
(*)Degree of burn that is characterized by bone involvement - CORRECT-
ANSWERSFourth
Complications of head trauma - CORRECT-ANSWERSIntracerebral hematoma
Extradural hematoma
Brain abscess
Most common cause of laryngotracheal stenosis - CORRECT-
ANSWERSTrauma
Intervention that can help prevent development of acute renal failure -
CORRECT-ANSWERSInfusion of normal saline
A 26-year-old male is resuscitated with blood transfusion after a motor
vehicle collision that was complicated by a fractured pelvis. A few hours
later, the patient becomes febrile, hypotensive with a normal CVP, and
oliguric. Upon examination, the patient is found to be bleeding from the NG
tube and IV sites. Which of the following is the most likely diagnosis?
A. Hemorrhagic shock
B. Acute adrenal insufficiency
C. Fat embolism syndrome
D. Transfusion reaction - CORRECT-ANSWERSD. Transfusion reaction
Skin antiseptic - CORRECT-ANSWERS-Ethanol 70% is an effective skin
antiseptic
-Acetic acid can be used to treat Gram- skin infections
, -Salicylic acid is used to treat certain skin yeast infections
Class IV hemorrhage indicates what % blood loss - CORRECT-ANSWERS55%
How does shivering affect body temperature - CORRECT-ANSWERSIncreases
body temperature
Class III hemorrhage indicates what % of blood loss - CORRECT-
ANSWERS35%
Management of a stable patient with kidney contusion - CORRECT-
ANSWERSObservation
Associated with hypovolemic shock - CORRECT-ANSWERS-Inadequate tissue
perfusion with resultant tissue hypoxia
-Blood shunting to vital organs
-Decreased circulating blood volume and decreased venous return
-Low cardiac output
-Loss of less than 20% of the blood volume is usually without symptom
except for mild tachycardia
-Patients become orthostatic with losses between 20 and 40%
-Shock is evidenced by tachycardia, hypotension, oliguria, flat neck veins
The most effective method of monitoring the success of resuscitation during
CPR? - CORRECT-ANSWERSReactivity of pupils to light
Used to ensure correct placement of endotracheal tube - CORRECT-
ANSWERS-Ultrasound
-Bilateral breath sounds
-Sustained end-tidal CO2
Total body surface area involved in a burn in an adult to the anterior chest
and abdomen - CORRECT-ANSWERS18%
What is often caused by carotid massage? - CORRECT-ANSWERSBradycardia
Step in a patient diagnosed with tension pneumothorax - CORRECT-
ANSWERS1. Needle decompression/ thoracotomy
2. Chest tube
True statements regarding diaphragmatic injuries - CORRECT-ANSWERS-
Blunt diaphragmatic injuries are usually associated with skeletal trauma
-Penetrating diaphragmatic injuries may be missed
-Repair of traumatic diaphragmatic injuries usually does not require
prosthetic material
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