POST TEST ATLS EXAMPREP STUDY GUIDE
2026 PRACTICE QUESTIONS AND SOLUTIONS
◉ Absence of breath sounds and dullness to percussion over the left
hemothorax are findings explained by:. Answer: Left hemothorax
vs. hyperresonance: tension pneumothorax
◉ A 17-year-old helmeted motorcyclist is struck broadside by an
automobile at an intersection. He is unconscious at the scene with a
blood pressure of 140/90mmHg, heart rate of 90 beats per minute,
and respiratory rate of 22 breaths per minute. His respirations are
sonorous and deep. His GCS score is 6. Immobilization of the entire
patient may include the use of all the following EXCEPT:
A. Air splints
B. Bolstering devices
C. A long spine board
D. A scoop-style stretcher
E. A semi-rigid cervical collar. Answer: A. Air splints
◉ A 24 year old pedestrian, struck by an automobile, is admitted to
the ED 1 hour after injury. His BP is 80/60, HR 140, and RR 36. He is
lethargic. Oxygen is delivered via face mask, and two large caliber
,IVs are initiated. ABG is obtained: PaO2 118, PaCO2 30, pH 7.21. The
treatment of his acid-base disorder is best accomplished by:
A. Hyperventilation
B. Restoration of normal perfusion
C. Initiation of low dose dopamine
D. Administration of sodium bicarbonate
E. Initiation of phenylephrine infusion. Answer: B. Restoration of
normal perfusion
◉ During an altercation, a 36-year-old man sustains a gunshot
wound above the nipple line on the right, with an exit wound
posteriorly above the scapula on the right. He is transported by
ambulance to a community hospital. He is endotracheally intubated,
close tube thoracostomy is performed, and 2 liters Ringers lactate
solution are infused via 2 large-caliber IVs. His blood pressure now
is 60/0mmHg, heart rate is 160 beats per minute, and respiratory
rate is 14 breaths per minute (ventilated with 100% O2). The most
appropriate next step in managing this patient is:
A. Laparotomy
B. Diagnostic peritoneal lavage
C. Arterial blood gas determination
D. Administer packed red blood cells
E. Chest X-ray to confirm tube placement. Answer: D. Administered
packed red blood cells
, ◉ Which of the following statements regarding injury to the central
nervous system in children is true?. Answer: Children suffer spinal
cord injury without an XR abnormality more commonly than adults
◉ Which of the following physical findings does NOT suggest spinal
cord injury as the cause of hypotension?
A. Priapism
B. Bradycardia
C. Distended neck veins
D. Diaphragmatic breathing
E. Ability to flex forearms but inability to extend them. Answer: ??
◉ 5 year old boy is struck by an automobile and brought to the
emergency department. He is lethargic, but withdraws purposefully
from painfully stimuli. His blood pressure is 90 mmHg, HR 140 BPM,
and RR is 36 bpm. The preferred route of venous access in this
patient is:. Answer: Pertained veins in the upper extremities
◉ The response to catecholamines in an injured, hypovolemic
pregnant woman can be expected to result in:
A. Placental abruption
B. Fetal hypoxia and distress
C. Fetal/maternal dysrhytmia
D. Improved uterine blood flow
2026 PRACTICE QUESTIONS AND SOLUTIONS
◉ Absence of breath sounds and dullness to percussion over the left
hemothorax are findings explained by:. Answer: Left hemothorax
vs. hyperresonance: tension pneumothorax
◉ A 17-year-old helmeted motorcyclist is struck broadside by an
automobile at an intersection. He is unconscious at the scene with a
blood pressure of 140/90mmHg, heart rate of 90 beats per minute,
and respiratory rate of 22 breaths per minute. His respirations are
sonorous and deep. His GCS score is 6. Immobilization of the entire
patient may include the use of all the following EXCEPT:
A. Air splints
B. Bolstering devices
C. A long spine board
D. A scoop-style stretcher
E. A semi-rigid cervical collar. Answer: A. Air splints
◉ A 24 year old pedestrian, struck by an automobile, is admitted to
the ED 1 hour after injury. His BP is 80/60, HR 140, and RR 36. He is
lethargic. Oxygen is delivered via face mask, and two large caliber
,IVs are initiated. ABG is obtained: PaO2 118, PaCO2 30, pH 7.21. The
treatment of his acid-base disorder is best accomplished by:
A. Hyperventilation
B. Restoration of normal perfusion
C. Initiation of low dose dopamine
D. Administration of sodium bicarbonate
E. Initiation of phenylephrine infusion. Answer: B. Restoration of
normal perfusion
◉ During an altercation, a 36-year-old man sustains a gunshot
wound above the nipple line on the right, with an exit wound
posteriorly above the scapula on the right. He is transported by
ambulance to a community hospital. He is endotracheally intubated,
close tube thoracostomy is performed, and 2 liters Ringers lactate
solution are infused via 2 large-caliber IVs. His blood pressure now
is 60/0mmHg, heart rate is 160 beats per minute, and respiratory
rate is 14 breaths per minute (ventilated with 100% O2). The most
appropriate next step in managing this patient is:
A. Laparotomy
B. Diagnostic peritoneal lavage
C. Arterial blood gas determination
D. Administer packed red blood cells
E. Chest X-ray to confirm tube placement. Answer: D. Administered
packed red blood cells
, ◉ Which of the following statements regarding injury to the central
nervous system in children is true?. Answer: Children suffer spinal
cord injury without an XR abnormality more commonly than adults
◉ Which of the following physical findings does NOT suggest spinal
cord injury as the cause of hypotension?
A. Priapism
B. Bradycardia
C. Distended neck veins
D. Diaphragmatic breathing
E. Ability to flex forearms but inability to extend them. Answer: ??
◉ 5 year old boy is struck by an automobile and brought to the
emergency department. He is lethargic, but withdraws purposefully
from painfully stimuli. His blood pressure is 90 mmHg, HR 140 BPM,
and RR is 36 bpm. The preferred route of venous access in this
patient is:. Answer: Pertained veins in the upper extremities
◉ The response to catecholamines in an injured, hypovolemic
pregnant woman can be expected to result in:
A. Placental abruption
B. Fetal hypoxia and distress
C. Fetal/maternal dysrhytmia
D. Improved uterine blood flow
