ATLS Study Cards Mock Review 2026 | Trusted Questions
& Answers
1. What are the three key positions of a patient with an anterior hip dislocation?
Extended, adducted, and internally rotated
Extended, abducted, and externally rotated
Flexed, adducted, and internally rotated
Flexed, abducted, and externally rotated
2. What are three common types of injuries that can occur in motor vehicle
accidents?
Dislocations, contusions, and infections.
Burns, sprains, and cuts.
Concussions, lacerations, and abrasions.
Fractures, head trauma, and internal organ injuries.
3. What is the normal urinary output for children over the age of 1 year in
milliliters per kilogram per hour?
3 milliliters per kilogram per hour
1 milliliter per kilogram per hour
0.5 milliliters per kilogram per hour
2 milliliters per kilogram per hour
4. Which of the following is of concern in a patient who received burns to his
hand when he grabbed a live electrical wire?
, The extent of tissue damage may be much greater than it appears
on the surface.
Toxic gases were inhaled.
The patient remains an electrocution hazard to rescuers for several
minutes after being removed from the source of electricity
Which of the following is of concern in a patient who received burns
to his hand when he grabbed a live electrical wire?
5. What are the three components that make up Beck's triad in the context of
cardiac tamponade?
Elevated venous pressure, decreased arterial pressure, and muffled
heart sounds.
Elevated arterial pressure, normal heart sounds, and increased
respiratory rate.
Decreased venous pressure, increased arterial pressure, and clear
heart sounds.
Increased heart rate, decreased blood volume, and elevated arterial
pressure.
6. Describe the differences between first-degree, second-degree, and third-
degree burns.
First-degree burns affect only the outer layer of skin, second-
degree burns affect both the outer and underlying layer, and third-
degree burns damage deeper tissues.
First-degree burns are the most severe, second-degree burns are less
severe, and third-degree burns are superficial.
First-degree burns are caused by chemicals, second-degree burns by
heat, and third-degree burns by electricity.
, First-degree burns heal quickly, second-degree burns require skin
grafts, and third-degree burns are painless.
7. Approximately half of all head, neck, and spinal injuries result from which of
the following?
Motor vehicle collisions
Falls
Assaults
Diving mishaps
8. Describe the typical circumstances under which a Chance fracture occurs
and its associated complications.
A Chance fracture is a result of high-impact sports injuries and is not
associated with any internal injuries.
A Chance fracture typically occurs in motor vehicle accidents
involving only a lap belt and can be associated with enteric
disruption in children.
A Chance fracture is common in falls and does not have significant
complications.
A Chance fracture occurs primarily in elderly patients with
osteoporosis.
9. Which of the following are true regarding burn patients and their fluid needs?
All of the above.
The Parkland formula is the gold standard for calculating fluid needs
for a burn patient.
Fluid IV rate should be adjusted depending on the patient's urine
output volume.
, The first 50% of the calculated IV fluid should be given within the first
8 hours.
10. What is the primary characteristic of third-degree frostbite?
Superficial skin damage
Partial thickness skin loss
Mild redness and swelling
Full thickness and subcutaneous necrosis
11. Describe the physiological implications of a core temperature falling below
32 degrees centigrade.
A core temperature below 32 degrees centigrade has no significant
effects on the body.
A core temperature below 32 degrees centigrade causes increased
metabolism.
A core temperature below 32 degrees centigrade indicates normal
body function.
A core temperature below 32 degrees centigrade can lead to
severe physiological dysfunction and increased risk of cardiac
arrest.
12. Describe the symptoms associated with a pneumothorax.
Symptoms include fever and cough.
Symptoms include dizziness and headache.
Common symptoms include chest pain and difficulty breathing.
Symptoms include abdominal pain and nausea.
& Answers
1. What are the three key positions of a patient with an anterior hip dislocation?
Extended, adducted, and internally rotated
Extended, abducted, and externally rotated
Flexed, adducted, and internally rotated
Flexed, abducted, and externally rotated
2. What are three common types of injuries that can occur in motor vehicle
accidents?
Dislocations, contusions, and infections.
Burns, sprains, and cuts.
Concussions, lacerations, and abrasions.
Fractures, head trauma, and internal organ injuries.
3. What is the normal urinary output for children over the age of 1 year in
milliliters per kilogram per hour?
3 milliliters per kilogram per hour
1 milliliter per kilogram per hour
0.5 milliliters per kilogram per hour
2 milliliters per kilogram per hour
4. Which of the following is of concern in a patient who received burns to his
hand when he grabbed a live electrical wire?
, The extent of tissue damage may be much greater than it appears
on the surface.
Toxic gases were inhaled.
The patient remains an electrocution hazard to rescuers for several
minutes after being removed from the source of electricity
Which of the following is of concern in a patient who received burns
to his hand when he grabbed a live electrical wire?
5. What are the three components that make up Beck's triad in the context of
cardiac tamponade?
Elevated venous pressure, decreased arterial pressure, and muffled
heart sounds.
Elevated arterial pressure, normal heart sounds, and increased
respiratory rate.
Decreased venous pressure, increased arterial pressure, and clear
heart sounds.
Increased heart rate, decreased blood volume, and elevated arterial
pressure.
6. Describe the differences between first-degree, second-degree, and third-
degree burns.
First-degree burns affect only the outer layer of skin, second-
degree burns affect both the outer and underlying layer, and third-
degree burns damage deeper tissues.
First-degree burns are the most severe, second-degree burns are less
severe, and third-degree burns are superficial.
First-degree burns are caused by chemicals, second-degree burns by
heat, and third-degree burns by electricity.
, First-degree burns heal quickly, second-degree burns require skin
grafts, and third-degree burns are painless.
7. Approximately half of all head, neck, and spinal injuries result from which of
the following?
Motor vehicle collisions
Falls
Assaults
Diving mishaps
8. Describe the typical circumstances under which a Chance fracture occurs
and its associated complications.
A Chance fracture is a result of high-impact sports injuries and is not
associated with any internal injuries.
A Chance fracture typically occurs in motor vehicle accidents
involving only a lap belt and can be associated with enteric
disruption in children.
A Chance fracture is common in falls and does not have significant
complications.
A Chance fracture occurs primarily in elderly patients with
osteoporosis.
9. Which of the following are true regarding burn patients and their fluid needs?
All of the above.
The Parkland formula is the gold standard for calculating fluid needs
for a burn patient.
Fluid IV rate should be adjusted depending on the patient's urine
output volume.
, The first 50% of the calculated IV fluid should be given within the first
8 hours.
10. What is the primary characteristic of third-degree frostbite?
Superficial skin damage
Partial thickness skin loss
Mild redness and swelling
Full thickness and subcutaneous necrosis
11. Describe the physiological implications of a core temperature falling below
32 degrees centigrade.
A core temperature below 32 degrees centigrade has no significant
effects on the body.
A core temperature below 32 degrees centigrade causes increased
metabolism.
A core temperature below 32 degrees centigrade indicates normal
body function.
A core temperature below 32 degrees centigrade can lead to
severe physiological dysfunction and increased risk of cardiac
arrest.
12. Describe the symptoms associated with a pneumothorax.
Symptoms include fever and cough.
Symptoms include dizziness and headache.
Common symptoms include chest pain and difficulty breathing.
Symptoms include abdominal pain and nausea.
