ATLS Post Test. ATLS MCQ Exam
Questions and Correct Answers
(Verified Answers) Plus Rationales
2026 Q&A
1. What is the first priority in the ATLS primary survey?
A. Control hemorrhage
B. Establish airway with cervical spine protection
C. Assess neurologic status
D. Obtain IV access
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Airway with cervical spine protection is always first (ABCDE).
2. A trauma patient is talking clearly. What does this indicate?
A. Adequate breathing
B. Stable circulation
C. Patent airway
D. Normal neurologic status
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Ability to speak indicates a patent airway.
3. What is the most common cause of airway obstruction in trauma?
A. Blood
B. Tongue
C. Vomitus
D. Facial fractures
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Loss of muscle tone causes the tongue to obstruct the airway.
,4. When should cervical spine protection be discontinued?
A. After negative X-ray
B. When patient is alert
C. After CT confirms no injury
D. Never during resuscitation
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: CT clearance is required before removing C-spine precautions.
5. What is the best initial airway maneuver in an unconscious trauma patient?
A. Head tilt–chin lift
B. Jaw thrust
C. Nasal airway
D. Endotracheal intubation
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Jaw thrust protects the cervical spine.
BREATHING & VENTILATION
6. Which injury is immediately life-threatening?
A. Pulmonary contusion
B. Simple pneumothorax
C. Tension pneumothorax
D. Rib fracture
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Tension pneumothorax causes rapid cardiovascular collapse.
7. Absent breath sounds and hypotension suggest:
A. Cardiac tamponade
B. Tension pneumothorax
C. Hemothorax
D. Pulmonary embolism
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Classic signs of tension pneumothorax.
, 8. First treatment for suspected tension pneumothorax?
A. Chest X-ray
B. Needle decompression
C. Intubation
D. Chest tube
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Do not delay for imaging.
9. Massive hemothorax is defined as:
A. >500 mL blood loss
B. >750 mL blood loss
C. >1000 mL blood loss
D. >1500 mL blood loss
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: ≥1500 mL blood in chest cavity.
10. Preferred oxygen delivery for major trauma?
A. Nasal cannula
B. Venturi mask
C. Non-rebreather mask
D. Simple face mask
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Delivers highest oxygen concentration.
CIRCULATION & HEMORRHAGE CONTROL
11. Most common cause of shock in trauma?
A. Cardiogenic
B. Neurogenic
C. Hypovolemic
D. Septic
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Blood loss is the leading cause.
Questions and Correct Answers
(Verified Answers) Plus Rationales
2026 Q&A
1. What is the first priority in the ATLS primary survey?
A. Control hemorrhage
B. Establish airway with cervical spine protection
C. Assess neurologic status
D. Obtain IV access
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Airway with cervical spine protection is always first (ABCDE).
2. A trauma patient is talking clearly. What does this indicate?
A. Adequate breathing
B. Stable circulation
C. Patent airway
D. Normal neurologic status
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Ability to speak indicates a patent airway.
3. What is the most common cause of airway obstruction in trauma?
A. Blood
B. Tongue
C. Vomitus
D. Facial fractures
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Loss of muscle tone causes the tongue to obstruct the airway.
,4. When should cervical spine protection be discontinued?
A. After negative X-ray
B. When patient is alert
C. After CT confirms no injury
D. Never during resuscitation
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: CT clearance is required before removing C-spine precautions.
5. What is the best initial airway maneuver in an unconscious trauma patient?
A. Head tilt–chin lift
B. Jaw thrust
C. Nasal airway
D. Endotracheal intubation
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Jaw thrust protects the cervical spine.
BREATHING & VENTILATION
6. Which injury is immediately life-threatening?
A. Pulmonary contusion
B. Simple pneumothorax
C. Tension pneumothorax
D. Rib fracture
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Tension pneumothorax causes rapid cardiovascular collapse.
7. Absent breath sounds and hypotension suggest:
A. Cardiac tamponade
B. Tension pneumothorax
C. Hemothorax
D. Pulmonary embolism
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Classic signs of tension pneumothorax.
, 8. First treatment for suspected tension pneumothorax?
A. Chest X-ray
B. Needle decompression
C. Intubation
D. Chest tube
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Do not delay for imaging.
9. Massive hemothorax is defined as:
A. >500 mL blood loss
B. >750 mL blood loss
C. >1000 mL blood loss
D. >1500 mL blood loss
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: ≥1500 mL blood in chest cavity.
10. Preferred oxygen delivery for major trauma?
A. Nasal cannula
B. Venturi mask
C. Non-rebreather mask
D. Simple face mask
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Delivers highest oxygen concentration.
CIRCULATION & HEMORRHAGE CONTROL
11. Most common cause of shock in trauma?
A. Cardiogenic
B. Neurogenic
C. Hypovolemic
D. Septic
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Blood loss is the leading cause.
