ATLS Post Test MCQ Practice Exam: 10th Edition
Review & Questions with Answers Guide
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**Question 1**
What is the first priority in the management of a critically injured trauma patient?
a. Assessment of neurological deficit
b. Preparation for surgical intervention
c. Airway maintenance with cervical spine protection
d. Rapid fluid resuscitation via large bore IVs
☑ c. Airway maintenance with cervical spine protection
________________________________________________
**Question 2**
A 24-year-old male presents with a tension pneumothorax. What is the immediate life-
saving intervention?
a. Obtain a portable chest X-ray
b. Perform a needle decompression in the 2nd or 5th intercostal space
c. Perform a formal tube thoracostomy
d. Administer high-flow oxygen via non-rebreather mask
☑ b. Perform a needle decompression in the 2nd or 5th intercostal space
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,**Question 3**
Which of the following is a component of Beck’s Triad for cardiac tamponade?
a. Hypertension, bradycardia, and irregular respirations
b. Hypotension, muffled heart sounds, and distended neck veins
c. Hypotension, tachycardia, and clear lung sounds
d. Hypertension, distended neck veins, and resonance on percussion
☑ b. Hypotension, muffled heart sounds, and distended neck veins
________________________________________________
**Question 4**
In a trauma patient with hemorrhagic shock, what is the initial preferred intravenous fluid
for resuscitation?
a. 5% Dextrose in Water (D5W)
b. 0.45% Normal Saline
c. Warmed isotonic crystalloid (e.g., Lactated Ringer's)
d. Immediate administration of whole blood
☑ c. Warmed isotonic crystalloid (e.g., Lactated Ringer's)
________________________________________________
**Question 5**
What is the most common cause of preventable death after a traumatic injury in the
prehospital setting?
a. Airway obstruction
b. Tension pneumothorax
c. Uncontrolled external hemorrhage
, d. Traumatic brain injury
☑ c. Uncontrolled external hemorrhage
________________________________________________
**Question 6**
A 40-year-old female is involved in a high-speed motor vehicle collision. She has a GCS
of 7. What is the next step in management?
a. Obtain a CT scan of the head
b. Administer Mannitol
c. Establish a definitive airway (intubation)
d. Perform a diagnostic peritoneal lavage
☑ c. Establish a definitive airway (intubation)
________________________________________________
**Question 7**
Which sign is indicative of a basilar skull fracture?
a. Cullen's sign
b. Grey-Turner's sign
c. Battle's sign (retroauricular ecchymosis)
d. Kehr's sign
☑ c. Battle's sign (retroauricular ecchymosis)
________________________________________________
**Question 8**
Review & Questions with Answers Guide
________________________________________________
**Question 1**
What is the first priority in the management of a critically injured trauma patient?
a. Assessment of neurological deficit
b. Preparation for surgical intervention
c. Airway maintenance with cervical spine protection
d. Rapid fluid resuscitation via large bore IVs
☑ c. Airway maintenance with cervical spine protection
________________________________________________
**Question 2**
A 24-year-old male presents with a tension pneumothorax. What is the immediate life-
saving intervention?
a. Obtain a portable chest X-ray
b. Perform a needle decompression in the 2nd or 5th intercostal space
c. Perform a formal tube thoracostomy
d. Administer high-flow oxygen via non-rebreather mask
☑ b. Perform a needle decompression in the 2nd or 5th intercostal space
________________________________________________
,**Question 3**
Which of the following is a component of Beck’s Triad for cardiac tamponade?
a. Hypertension, bradycardia, and irregular respirations
b. Hypotension, muffled heart sounds, and distended neck veins
c. Hypotension, tachycardia, and clear lung sounds
d. Hypertension, distended neck veins, and resonance on percussion
☑ b. Hypotension, muffled heart sounds, and distended neck veins
________________________________________________
**Question 4**
In a trauma patient with hemorrhagic shock, what is the initial preferred intravenous fluid
for resuscitation?
a. 5% Dextrose in Water (D5W)
b. 0.45% Normal Saline
c. Warmed isotonic crystalloid (e.g., Lactated Ringer's)
d. Immediate administration of whole blood
☑ c. Warmed isotonic crystalloid (e.g., Lactated Ringer's)
________________________________________________
**Question 5**
What is the most common cause of preventable death after a traumatic injury in the
prehospital setting?
a. Airway obstruction
b. Tension pneumothorax
c. Uncontrolled external hemorrhage
, d. Traumatic brain injury
☑ c. Uncontrolled external hemorrhage
________________________________________________
**Question 6**
A 40-year-old female is involved in a high-speed motor vehicle collision. She has a GCS
of 7. What is the next step in management?
a. Obtain a CT scan of the head
b. Administer Mannitol
c. Establish a definitive airway (intubation)
d. Perform a diagnostic peritoneal lavage
☑ c. Establish a definitive airway (intubation)
________________________________________________
**Question 7**
Which sign is indicative of a basilar skull fracture?
a. Cullen's sign
b. Grey-Turner's sign
c. Battle's sign (retroauricular ecchymosis)
d. Kehr's sign
☑ c. Battle's sign (retroauricular ecchymosis)
________________________________________________
**Question 8**
