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FISDAP TRAUMA EXAM 2026-2027 – COMPLETE
QUESTION BANK ## 165 PRACTICE QUESTIONS
WITH VERIFIED ANSWERS & RATIONALES
# PART 1: MECHANISM OF INJURY & SCENE ASSESSMENT (15
QUESTIONS)
**Question 1**
You arrive on the scene of a patient who fell from a ladder. Which of the
following information is NOT an important factor in care of the patient?
A. Height of the ladder
B. Distance the patient fell from
C. Surface the patient landed on
D. What part of the body hit first
**Answer: A – Height of the ladder**
**Rationale:** The actual height of the ladder matters less than the
distance fallen, the landing surface, and which body part absorbed the
impact. For example, a fall from 6 feet onto concrete versus a fall from
12 feet onto grass—the mechanism of injury is determined by fall
distance, surface, and landing point, not the ladder's height specification.
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---
**Question 2**
An unrestrained driver in a motor vehicle crash at highway speeds has a
bent steering wheel and a spidered windshield. What type of energy
transfer occurred?
A. High-velocity penetrating
B. Decelerating
C. Low-velocity penetrating
D. Blunt
**Answer: D – Blunt**
**Rationale:** The bent steering wheel and spidered windshield
indicate the driver struck the steering wheel and windshield, causing
blunt force trauma. "Blunt" refers to energy transferred over a broad
surface area rather than penetrating (sharp object). Decelerating is the
mechanism, but blunt describes the type of injury.
---
**Question 3**
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You are at the scene of an MVA with three patients, all with minor
visible injuries. Two are refusing treatment and the last is complaining of
neck and back pain. How should you proceed?
A. Treat all three patients
B. Obtain signed refusals from the first two patients then proceed to the
third
C. Treat the third patient only
D. Have your partner obtain refusals from the two patients who refused
treatment, while you treat the last patient
**Answer: D – Have your partner obtain refusals while you treat the last
patient**
**Rationale:** The third patient has a potentially serious injury
(neck/back pain after MVA). Your partner can handle the refusals while
you assess and treat the priority patient. This is efficient and safe. Never
abandon an injured patient to obtain signatures, but also do not neglect
the refusals entirely.
---
**Question 4**
A patient fell while water skiing and is unconscious. You should suspect:
A. Only head injury
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B. Only spine injury
C. Head and spine injury
D. Drowning-related injury
**Answer: C – Head and spine injury**
**Rationale:** High-velocity water sports with unconsciousness =
assume both head AND spinal injury. The mechanism (fall at speed) can
cause both. Always suspect spinal injury in any unconscious trauma
patient unless proven otherwise.
---
**Question 5**
What is the term for the injury in which the epidermis remains intact but
cells and blood vessels in the dermis are damaged?
A. Abrasion
B. Laceration
C. Contusion (bruise)
D. Avulsion
**Answer: C – Contusion (bruise)**
FISDAP TRAUMA EXAM 2026-2027 – COMPLETE
QUESTION BANK ## 165 PRACTICE QUESTIONS
WITH VERIFIED ANSWERS & RATIONALES
# PART 1: MECHANISM OF INJURY & SCENE ASSESSMENT (15
QUESTIONS)
**Question 1**
You arrive on the scene of a patient who fell from a ladder. Which of the
following information is NOT an important factor in care of the patient?
A. Height of the ladder
B. Distance the patient fell from
C. Surface the patient landed on
D. What part of the body hit first
**Answer: A – Height of the ladder**
**Rationale:** The actual height of the ladder matters less than the
distance fallen, the landing surface, and which body part absorbed the
impact. For example, a fall from 6 feet onto concrete versus a fall from
12 feet onto grass—the mechanism of injury is determined by fall
distance, surface, and landing point, not the ladder's height specification.
,2|Page
---
**Question 2**
An unrestrained driver in a motor vehicle crash at highway speeds has a
bent steering wheel and a spidered windshield. What type of energy
transfer occurred?
A. High-velocity penetrating
B. Decelerating
C. Low-velocity penetrating
D. Blunt
**Answer: D – Blunt**
**Rationale:** The bent steering wheel and spidered windshield
indicate the driver struck the steering wheel and windshield, causing
blunt force trauma. "Blunt" refers to energy transferred over a broad
surface area rather than penetrating (sharp object). Decelerating is the
mechanism, but blunt describes the type of injury.
---
**Question 3**
,3|Page
You are at the scene of an MVA with three patients, all with minor
visible injuries. Two are refusing treatment and the last is complaining of
neck and back pain. How should you proceed?
A. Treat all three patients
B. Obtain signed refusals from the first two patients then proceed to the
third
C. Treat the third patient only
D. Have your partner obtain refusals from the two patients who refused
treatment, while you treat the last patient
**Answer: D – Have your partner obtain refusals while you treat the last
patient**
**Rationale:** The third patient has a potentially serious injury
(neck/back pain after MVA). Your partner can handle the refusals while
you assess and treat the priority patient. This is efficient and safe. Never
abandon an injured patient to obtain signatures, but also do not neglect
the refusals entirely.
---
**Question 4**
A patient fell while water skiing and is unconscious. You should suspect:
A. Only head injury
, 4|Page
B. Only spine injury
C. Head and spine injury
D. Drowning-related injury
**Answer: C – Head and spine injury**
**Rationale:** High-velocity water sports with unconsciousness =
assume both head AND spinal injury. The mechanism (fall at speed) can
cause both. Always suspect spinal injury in any unconscious trauma
patient unless proven otherwise.
---
**Question 5**
What is the term for the injury in which the epidermis remains intact but
cells and blood vessels in the dermis are damaged?
A. Abrasion
B. Laceration
C. Contusion (bruise)
D. Avulsion
**Answer: C – Contusion (bruise)**
