ATLS TEST BUNDLE 2026 EXAMINATION
TEST QUESTIONS AND SOLUTIONS
PRACTICE SET GRADED A+
⩥ Confirmatory test that is a reliable indicator of brain death
A. Apnea test with a pCO2 less than 40 B. Electromyography
C. 4-vessel cerebral angiography
D. CT scan of the brain.
Answer: C. 4-vessel cerebral angiography
⩥ MC spine problem seen in patient's with Down syndrome.
Answer: Atlanto-axial instability
⩥ As a result of burn trauma, fluid shifts can cause hematocrit levels to
A. Rise
B. Fall
C. Remain unchanged while hemoglobin levels drop
D. Rise initially then fall dramatically
Answer: A. Rise
,⩥ A 17-year-old male is hit on the head with a baseball bat. He
withdraws and opens his eyes in response to deep painful stimuli. He
also mumbles incomprehensibly. What is his Glasgow coma scale score?
Answer: 8
⩥ Hypoxia
Answer: PE: cyanosis
Can be rapidly measured with pulse ox
⩥ After placement of a chest tube for a traumatic pneumothorax,
subcutaneous emphysema is observed. After checking the drainage and
chest tube site, what else should be done?
Answer: -Increase level of suction
-Insert second chest tube
-Adjust chest tube
Do NOT flush tube with saline
⩥ Which of the following injuries is most critical?
A. Fractured femur
B. Fractured pelvis
C. Fractured humerus
,D. Fractured fibula
Answer: B. Fractured pelvis
⩥ A patient on a mechanical ventilator is fighting the machine, and has
elevated peak airway pressures. What medication should be used?
A. Benzodiazepines
B. Vecuronium
C. Barbiturates
D. Baclofen
Answer: B. Vecuronium
⩥ What is the primary goal in the initial resuscitation of a cardiac arrest?
A. Renal perfusion
B. Limb perfusion
C. Myocardial perfusion
D. Brain perfusion
Answer: D. Brain perfusion
⩥ During an MVA, what is most likely injury to occur after knees strike
the dashboard
A. Fractured femur
B. Fractured humerus
, C. Lacerated spleen
D. None of the above
Answer: A. Fractured femur
⩥ Reason epinephrine is added to local anesthetics
Answer: Prolongs its action
⩥ Used to treat high ICP
Answer: Control BG
Hyperventilation (pCO2 30-35)
Elevate head of bed
Mannitol (osmotic diuretic)
Furosemide (loop diur.)
⩥ Earliest symptom of local anesthetic toxicity
Answer: Tongue and circumoral numbness
⩥ A 18-year-old male sustains a right femur fracture and a cerebral
concussion in a motor vehicle accident. His initial blood pressure is
75/50 mmHg with a pulse of 90 beats per minute. After giving him 2
liters of Ringer lactate he stabilizes, but the blood pressure falls when he
is seen in the ER. Which of the following would be the cause of
suspected hypotension in this patient?
TEST QUESTIONS AND SOLUTIONS
PRACTICE SET GRADED A+
⩥ Confirmatory test that is a reliable indicator of brain death
A. Apnea test with a pCO2 less than 40 B. Electromyography
C. 4-vessel cerebral angiography
D. CT scan of the brain.
Answer: C. 4-vessel cerebral angiography
⩥ MC spine problem seen in patient's with Down syndrome.
Answer: Atlanto-axial instability
⩥ As a result of burn trauma, fluid shifts can cause hematocrit levels to
A. Rise
B. Fall
C. Remain unchanged while hemoglobin levels drop
D. Rise initially then fall dramatically
Answer: A. Rise
,⩥ A 17-year-old male is hit on the head with a baseball bat. He
withdraws and opens his eyes in response to deep painful stimuli. He
also mumbles incomprehensibly. What is his Glasgow coma scale score?
Answer: 8
⩥ Hypoxia
Answer: PE: cyanosis
Can be rapidly measured with pulse ox
⩥ After placement of a chest tube for a traumatic pneumothorax,
subcutaneous emphysema is observed. After checking the drainage and
chest tube site, what else should be done?
Answer: -Increase level of suction
-Insert second chest tube
-Adjust chest tube
Do NOT flush tube with saline
⩥ Which of the following injuries is most critical?
A. Fractured femur
B. Fractured pelvis
C. Fractured humerus
,D. Fractured fibula
Answer: B. Fractured pelvis
⩥ A patient on a mechanical ventilator is fighting the machine, and has
elevated peak airway pressures. What medication should be used?
A. Benzodiazepines
B. Vecuronium
C. Barbiturates
D. Baclofen
Answer: B. Vecuronium
⩥ What is the primary goal in the initial resuscitation of a cardiac arrest?
A. Renal perfusion
B. Limb perfusion
C. Myocardial perfusion
D. Brain perfusion
Answer: D. Brain perfusion
⩥ During an MVA, what is most likely injury to occur after knees strike
the dashboard
A. Fractured femur
B. Fractured humerus
, C. Lacerated spleen
D. None of the above
Answer: A. Fractured femur
⩥ Reason epinephrine is added to local anesthetics
Answer: Prolongs its action
⩥ Used to treat high ICP
Answer: Control BG
Hyperventilation (pCO2 30-35)
Elevate head of bed
Mannitol (osmotic diuretic)
Furosemide (loop diur.)
⩥ Earliest symptom of local anesthetic toxicity
Answer: Tongue and circumoral numbness
⩥ A 18-year-old male sustains a right femur fracture and a cerebral
concussion in a motor vehicle accident. His initial blood pressure is
75/50 mmHg with a pulse of 90 beats per minute. After giving him 2
liters of Ringer lactate he stabilizes, but the blood pressure falls when he
is seen in the ER. Which of the following would be the cause of
suspected hypotension in this patient?
