ATLS - Advanced Trauma Life Support Exam Questions and Answers | Verified | Update 2026 | Graded A+

ATLS - Advanced Trauma Life Support Exam Questions and Answers | Verified | Update 2026 | Graded A+ Trimodal - answer-The ___________ distribution of deaths implies that death due to injury occurs in one of three periods or peaks. Repeated - answer-The primary and secondary surveys are __________ frequently to identify any change in the patient's status that indicates the need for additional intervention. Name - answer-Clinicians can quickly assess A,B,Cs in a trauma patient by identifying themselves, asking the patient for his/her __________, and asking what happened. Definitive - answer-Establish a _________ airway if there is any doubt about the patients ability to maintain airway integrity. Cervical spine - answer-While assessing and managing a patient's airway, take great care to prevent excessive movement of the _____________ ____________. Positive pressure ventilation - answer-A simple pneumothorax can be converted to a tension pneumothorax when a patient is intubated and _______________ ___________ _________________ is provided before decompressing the pneumothorax with a chest tube. Intravascular - answer-Definitive bleeding control is essential, along with appropriate replacement of ___________________ volume. Hemorrhage - answer-Aggressive and continued volume resuscitation is not a substitute for definitive control of ________________.Brain - answer-Patients with evidence of ___________ injury should be treated at a facility that has the personnel and resources to anticipate and manage the patient's needs; transfer should be initiated as soon as recognized. Hypothermia - answer-___________________ can be present when the patient arrives or may develop quickly in the ED if patient is uncovered, and undergoes rapid administration of room-temp fluids or refrigerated blood. Delay - answer-It is important to not ___________ transfer to perform an in-depth diagnostic evaluation; only undertake testing that enhances the ability to resuscitate, stabilize, and ensure the patient's safe transfer. Secondary - answer-The _______________ survey does not begin until the primary (ABCDE) is completed, resuscitative efforts are underway, and improvement of the patient's vital functions has been demonstrated. Maxillofacial - answer-Patients with ________________ or head trauma should be presumed to have a cervical spine injury, and cervical spine motion must be restricted. Vaginal - answer-___________________ examination should be performed in patients who are at risk of vaginal injury. Protection - answer-__________________ of the spinal cord is required at all times until a spine injury is excluded; early consultation with a neurosurgeon or orthopedic surgeon is necessary if a spinal injury is detected. Reevaluated - answer-Trauma patients must be _______________ constantly to ensure that new findings are not overlooked and discover any deterioration in previously noted findings. Resources - answer-Decision to transfer requires a detailed assessment of the patient's injuries, knowledge of the capabilities of the institution, including equipment, ______________, and personnel. Team leader - answer-To work effectively, each trauma team should have one member who serves as the ________ __________.1. Preparation 2. Triage 3. Primary survey with resuscitation 4. Adjuncts to primary 5. Consider the need for a transfer 6. Secondary survey with adjuncts 7. Reevaluation 8. Definitive care, reconsider need for transfer - answer-Correct sequence of priorities assessment in a multiply injured patient: M = Mechanism of injury I = Injuries found and suspected S = Symptoms and signs T = Treatment initiated - answer-"MIST" A = Allergies M = Medications P = Past illnesses/pregnancy L = Last meal E = Events/environment related to injury - answer-"AMPLE" Supplemental - answer-____________________ oxygen must be administered to all severely injured trauma patients. Compromise - answer-Airway __________ can be sudden and complete, insidious and partial, and/or progressive and recurrent. Vocal cords - answer-A definitive airway is a tube placed in the trachea, with the cuff inflated below the _____________ ____________, the tube connected to a form of oxygen-enriched assisted ventilation, and the airway secured in place with an appropriate stabilizing method.Hypercarbia - answer-Maintaining oxygenation and preventing _____________ are critical in managing trauma patients, especially those who sustained head injuries. Suction - answer-Pitfall: Aspiration after vomiting Prevention: ensure functional _____________ equipment; be prepared to rotate the patient laterally while restricting cervical spinal motion. Body - answer-Facial fractures of the mandible, especially bilateral _________ fractures, can cause loss of normal airway support, and airway obstruction can result if the patient is in the supine position; patients who refuse to lie down may be experiencing difficulty in maintaining their airway or handling secretions. Hematoma - answer-Penetrating injury to the neck can cause vascular injury with significant ______________, which can result in displacement and obstruction of airway. 1. Hoarseness 2. Subcutaneous emphysema 3. Palpable fractures - answer-Triad of clinical signs for laryngeal fractures: Noisy - answer-______________ breathing indicates partial airway obstruction that can suddenly become complete, whereas the absence of breathing sounds suggests complete obstruction. Hypoxic - answer-Abusive and belligerent patients may in fact be _____________; do not assume intoxication. Respiratory - answer-The more proximal the injury the more likely there will be ________________ impairment. C3 - answer-Injuries below the level of ________ result in maintenance of the diaphragmatic function, but loss of the intercostal and abdominal muscle contribution to breathing results in seesaw breathing in which the abdomen is pushed out with inspiration. Capnography - answer-_______________ used in spontaneously breathing and ventilated patients to assess adequacy of ventilation; can be used to determine if ventilator position is appropriate.