ATLS Pre-Test Complete Review 2026 | High-Yield
Content
1. What is the initial step recommended to enhance oxygen levels in a patient
with a chest injury?
Assess arterial blood gases
Administer supplemental oxygen
Intubate the patient
Obtain a chest x-ray
Ascertain the need for a chest tube
2. Which of the following best describes tension pneumothorax and cardiac
tamponade?
Neither tension pneumothorax nor cardiac tamponade are life
threatening conditions.
Tension pneumothorax only is considered life threatening. Cardiac
tamponade is not a life threatening condition.
Cardiac tamponade only is considered life threatening. Tension
pneumothorax is not a life threatening condition.
Both tension pneumothorax and cardiac tamponade are life
threatening conditions.
,3. After being involved in a motor vehicle crash, a 25-year-old man is brought
to a hospital with a general surgeon on duty. He has a GCS of 13 and
complains of abdominal pain. His blood pressure was 80mmHg systolic by
palpation on arrival at the hospital, but increases to 110/70 wit the
administration of 2L of IV-fluid. His heart rate remains 120 beats per minute.
CT shows an aortic injury and splenic laceration with free abdominal fluid. His
blood pressure falls to 70mmHg after CT. The next step is to
Transfer to a higher level trauma center
Transfuse packed red blood cells
Transesophageal echocardiography
Contrast angiography
Exploratory laparotomy
4. What is the priority action to take for a patient with an open pneumothorax?
place a dressing taped on 3 sides
place an occlusive dressing over the opening
administer O2
place the patient on the affected side
5. In a scenario where a patient with a GCS score of 6 is not responding to
verbal stimuli and shows signs of respiratory distress, what intervention
should be prioritized?
Intubation to secure the airway
Monitoring vital signs only
Performing a CT scan of the head
Administering IV fluids
,6. Discuss why leakage of amniotic fluid is considered a critical factor for
hospital admission in pregnant patients with abdominal trauma.
The presence of abdominal pain is the only reason for hospital
admission in pregnant trauma patients.
Amniotic fluid leakage suggests that the pregnancy is progressing
normally and does not require admission.
The fetus is only at risk with severe trauma, making admission
unnecessary for minor injuries.
Leakage of amniotic fluid indicates potential complications for the
fetus and requires monitoring and intervention.
Hospital admission is only required for visible injuries to the mother,
not for fetal concerns.
7. What condition is indicated by distended neck veins and hypotension after a
motor vehicle crash?
Traumatic brain injury
Pneumothorax
Hemothorax
Cardiac tamponade
8. In a scenario where an adult burn patient has a urinary output of 0.3
mL/kg/hr, what should be the immediate course of action regarding fluid
resuscitation?
Monitor the patient for 24 hours without any changes.
Increase fluid administration to achieve the target urinary output.
Consult a specialist before making any changes to fluid resuscitation.
Decrease fluid administration to prevent fluid overload.
, 9. Describe why the intraosseous route is preferred for volume resuscitation in
small children compared to other routes.
The intraosseous route allows for rapid access to the vascular
system, which is critical in emergencies.
The intraosseous route is preferred for long-term fluid therapy.
The intraosseous route is less painful than intravenous access.
The intraosseous route is easier to perform than oral administration.
10. In a scenario where a patient with a Glasgow Coma Scale score of 6 is being
transported to the hospital, what immediate intervention should be
prioritized during transport?
Pain management
Fluid resuscitation
Airway management
Neurological assessment
11. 56yoF sustains blunt ab trauma from an assault. Her BP is 107/56 and her
pulse is 92. She complains of ab pain. She undergoes CT of ab and pelvis,
which demonstrates splenic injury. Which of the following would preclude an
attempt at nonoperative management?
A RBC count of 120,000 on diagnostic peritoneal lavage
Presence of subcapsular hematoma involving more than 25% of the
surface area of the spleen
Peritoneal signs on ab exam
Presence of a subcapsular hematoma involving more than 50% of the
surface area of the spleen
Evidence of a blush on CT scan
Content
1. What is the initial step recommended to enhance oxygen levels in a patient
with a chest injury?
Assess arterial blood gases
Administer supplemental oxygen
Intubate the patient
Obtain a chest x-ray
Ascertain the need for a chest tube
2. Which of the following best describes tension pneumothorax and cardiac
tamponade?
Neither tension pneumothorax nor cardiac tamponade are life
threatening conditions.
Tension pneumothorax only is considered life threatening. Cardiac
tamponade is not a life threatening condition.
Cardiac tamponade only is considered life threatening. Tension
pneumothorax is not a life threatening condition.
Both tension pneumothorax and cardiac tamponade are life
threatening conditions.
,3. After being involved in a motor vehicle crash, a 25-year-old man is brought
to a hospital with a general surgeon on duty. He has a GCS of 13 and
complains of abdominal pain. His blood pressure was 80mmHg systolic by
palpation on arrival at the hospital, but increases to 110/70 wit the
administration of 2L of IV-fluid. His heart rate remains 120 beats per minute.
CT shows an aortic injury and splenic laceration with free abdominal fluid. His
blood pressure falls to 70mmHg after CT. The next step is to
Transfer to a higher level trauma center
Transfuse packed red blood cells
Transesophageal echocardiography
Contrast angiography
Exploratory laparotomy
4. What is the priority action to take for a patient with an open pneumothorax?
place a dressing taped on 3 sides
place an occlusive dressing over the opening
administer O2
place the patient on the affected side
5. In a scenario where a patient with a GCS score of 6 is not responding to
verbal stimuli and shows signs of respiratory distress, what intervention
should be prioritized?
Intubation to secure the airway
Monitoring vital signs only
Performing a CT scan of the head
Administering IV fluids
,6. Discuss why leakage of amniotic fluid is considered a critical factor for
hospital admission in pregnant patients with abdominal trauma.
The presence of abdominal pain is the only reason for hospital
admission in pregnant trauma patients.
Amniotic fluid leakage suggests that the pregnancy is progressing
normally and does not require admission.
The fetus is only at risk with severe trauma, making admission
unnecessary for minor injuries.
Leakage of amniotic fluid indicates potential complications for the
fetus and requires monitoring and intervention.
Hospital admission is only required for visible injuries to the mother,
not for fetal concerns.
7. What condition is indicated by distended neck veins and hypotension after a
motor vehicle crash?
Traumatic brain injury
Pneumothorax
Hemothorax
Cardiac tamponade
8. In a scenario where an adult burn patient has a urinary output of 0.3
mL/kg/hr, what should be the immediate course of action regarding fluid
resuscitation?
Monitor the patient for 24 hours without any changes.
Increase fluid administration to achieve the target urinary output.
Consult a specialist before making any changes to fluid resuscitation.
Decrease fluid administration to prevent fluid overload.
, 9. Describe why the intraosseous route is preferred for volume resuscitation in
small children compared to other routes.
The intraosseous route allows for rapid access to the vascular
system, which is critical in emergencies.
The intraosseous route is preferred for long-term fluid therapy.
The intraosseous route is less painful than intravenous access.
The intraosseous route is easier to perform than oral administration.
10. In a scenario where a patient with a Glasgow Coma Scale score of 6 is being
transported to the hospital, what immediate intervention should be
prioritized during transport?
Pain management
Fluid resuscitation
Airway management
Neurological assessment
11. 56yoF sustains blunt ab trauma from an assault. Her BP is 107/56 and her
pulse is 92. She complains of ab pain. She undergoes CT of ab and pelvis,
which demonstrates splenic injury. Which of the following would preclude an
attempt at nonoperative management?
A RBC count of 120,000 on diagnostic peritoneal lavage
Presence of subcapsular hematoma involving more than 25% of the
surface area of the spleen
Peritoneal signs on ab exam
Presence of a subcapsular hematoma involving more than 50% of the
surface area of the spleen
Evidence of a blush on CT scan
