ATLS10 2022 Post-Test-Latest Update
A 22-year-old man is hypotensive and tachycardic after a shotgun wound to the left shoulder. His blood
pressure is initially 80/40 mm Hg. After initial fluid resuscitation his blood pressure increases to 122/84
mm Hg. His heart rate is now 100 beats per minute and his respiratory rate is 28 breaths per minute. A
tube thoracostomy is performed for decreased left chest breath sounds with the return of a small
amount of blood and no air leak. After chest tube insertion, the most appropriate next step is: Correct
Answer: re-examine the chest
A construction worker falls two stories from a building and sustains bilateral calcaneal fractures. In the
emergency department, he is alert, vital signs are normal, and he is complaining of severe pain in both
heels and his lower back. Lower extremity pulses are strong and there is no other deformity. The
suspected diagnosis is most likely to be confirmed by: Correct Answer: complete spine x-ray series
What is true regarding the initial resuscitation of a trauma patient? Correct Answer: Evidence of
improved perfusion after fluid resuscitation could include improvement in Glasgow Coma Scale score on
reevaluation
In managing a patient with a severe traumatic brain injury, the most important initial step is to: Correct
Answer: secure the airway
A previously healthy, 70-kg (154-pound) man suffers an estimated acute blood loss of 2 liters. What
applies to this patient? Correct Answer: An ABG would demonstrate a base deficit between -6 and -10
mEq/L.
The physiological hypervolemia of pregnancy has clinical significance in the management of the severely
injured, gravid woman by: Correct Answer: increasing the volume of blood loss to produce maternal
hypotension.
The best assessment of fluid resuscitation of the adult burn patient is: Correct Answer: urinary output of
0.5 mL/kg/hr
The diagnosis of shock must include: Correct Answer: evidence of inadequate organ perfusion
A 7-year-old boy is brought to the emergency department by his parents several minutes after he fell
through a window. He is bleeding profusely from a 6-cm wound of his medial right thigh. Immediate
management of the wound should consist of: Correct Answer: direct pressure on the wound
For the patient with severe traumatic brain injury, profound hypocarbia should be avoided to prevent:
Correct Answer: cerebral vasoconstriction with diminished perfusion
After being involved in a motor vehicle crash, a 25-year-old man is brought to a hospital that has surgery
capabilities available.. Computed tomography of the chest and abdomen shows an aortic injury and
splenic laceration with free abdominal fluid. His blood pressure falls to 70 mm Hg after CT. The next step
is: Correct Answer: perform an exploratory laparotomy
,What statements regarding abdominal trauma in the pregnant patient is TRUE? Correct Answer:
Leakage of amniotic fluid is an indication for hospital admission.
The first maneuver to improve oxygenation after chest injury is: Correct Answer: administer
supplemental oxygen
A 25-year-old man, injured in a motor vehicular crash, is admitted to the emergency department. His
pupils react sluggishly and his eyes open to pressure. He does not follow commands, but he does moan
periodically. His right arm is deformed and does not respond to pressure; however, his left hand reaches
purposefully toward the stimulus. Both legs are stiffly extended. His GCS score is: Correct Answer: 9
A 20-year-old woman who is at 32 weeks gestation, is stabbed in the upper right chest. In the
emergency department, her blood pressure is 80/60 mm Hg. She is gasping for breath, extremely
anxious, and yelling for help. Breath sounds are diminished in the right chest. The most appropriate first
step is to: Correct Answer: perform needle or finger decompression of the right chest
What findings in an adult is most likely to require immediate management during the primary survey?
Correct Answer: respiratory rate of 40 breaths per minute
The most important, immediate step in the management of an open pneumothorax is: Correct Answer:
placement of an occlusive dressing over the wound
The following are contraindications for tetanus toxoid administration: Correct Answer: history of
neurological reaction or severe hypersensitivity to the product
A 56-year-old man is thrown violently against the steering wheel of his truck during a motor vehicle
crash. On arrival in the emergency department he is diaphoretic and complaining of chest pain. His
blood pressure is 60/40 mm Hg and his respiratory rate is 40 breaths per minute. What best
differentiates cardiac tamponade from tension pneumothorax as the cause of his hypotension? Correct
Answer: breath sounds
Bronchial intubation of the right or left mainstem bronchus can easily occur during infant endotracheal
intubation because: Correct Answer: The trachea is relatively short.
A 23-year-old man sustains 4 stab wounds to the upper right chest during an altercation and is brought
by ambulance to a hospital that has full surgical capabilities. His wounds are all above the nipple. He is
endotracheally intubated, closed tube thoracostomy is performed, fluid resuscitation is initiated through
2 large-caliber IVs. FAST exam does not reveal intraabdominal injuries. His blood pressure now is 60/0
mm Hg, heart rate is 160 beats per minute, and respiratory rate is 14 breaths per minute (ventilated
with 100% O2). 1500 mL of blood has drained from the right chest. The most appropriate next step in
managing this patient is to: Correct Answer: urgently transfer the patient to the operating room
A 39-year-old man is admitted to the emergency department after an automobile collision. He is
cyanotic, has insufficient respiratory effort, and has a GCS score of 6. His full beard makes it difficult to fit
the oxygen facemask to his face. The most appropriate next step is to: Correct Answer: restrict cervical
motion and attempt orotracheal intubation using 2 people
,A patient is brought to the emergency department after a motor vehicle crash. He is conscious and there
is no obvious external trauma. He arrives at the hospital completely immobilized on a long spine board.
His blood pressure is 60/40 mm Hg and his heart rate is 70 beats per minute. His skin is warm. What do
you expect to see with the patient? Correct Answer: Flaccidity of the lower extremities and loss of deep
tendon reflexes are expected.
What is the most effective method for initially treating frostbite? Correct Answer: Moist heat
A 32-year-old man's right leg is trapped beneath his overturned car for nearly 2 hours before he is
extricated. On arrival in the emergency department, his right lower extremity is cool, mottled, insensate,
and motionless. Despite normal vital signs, pulses cannot be palpated below the right femoral artery and
the muscles of the lower extremity are firm and hard. During the management of this patient, what is
most likely to improve the chances for limb salvage? Correct Answer: surgical consultation for right
lower extremity fasciotomy
A patient arrives in the emergency department after being beaten about the head and face with a
wooden club. He is comatose and has a palpable depressed skull fracture. His face is swollen and
ecchymotic. He has gurgling respirations and vomitus on his face and clothing. The most appropriate
step after providing supplemental oxygen and elevating his jaw is to: Correct Answer: suction the
oropharynx
A 22-year-old man sustains a gunshot wound to the left chest and is transported to a small community
hospital no surgical capabilities are available. In the emergency department, a chest tube is inserted and
700 mL of blood is evacuated. The trauma center accepts the patient in transfer. Just before the patient
is placed in the ambulance for transfer, his blood pressure decreases to 80/68 mm Hg and his heart rate
increases to 136 beats per minute. The next step should be to: Correct Answer: repeat the primary
survey and proceed with transfer
A 64-year-old man involved in a high-speed car crash, is resuscitated initially in a small hospital without
surgical capabilities. He has a closed head injury with a GCS score of 13. He has a widened mediastinum
on chest x-ray with fractures of left ribs 2 through 4, but no pneumothorax. After initiating fluid
resuscitation, his blood pressure is 110/74 mm Hg, heart rate is 100 beats per minute, and respiratory
rate is 18 breaths per minute. He has gross hematuria and a pelvic fracture. You decide to transfer this
patient to a facility capable of providing a higher level of care. The facility is 128 km (80 miles) away.
Before transfer, you should first: Correct Answer: call the receiving hospital and speak to the surgeon
on call
Hemorrhage of 20% of the patient's blood volume is associated usually with Correct Answer:
tachycardia
What statement concerning intraosseous infusion is TRUE? Correct Answer: Aspiration of bone marrow
confirms appropriate positioning of the needle.
A young woman sustains a severe head injury as the result of a motor vehicle crash. In the emergency
department, her GCS is 6. Her blood pressure is 140/90 mm Hg and her heart rate is 80 beats per
minute. She is intubated and mechanically ventilated. Her pupils are 3 mm in size and equally reactive to
light. There is no other apparent injury. The most important principle to follow in the early management
of her head injury is to Correct Answer: avoid hypotension
, A 33-year-old woman is involved in a head-on motor vehicle crash. It took 30 minutes to extricate her
from the car. Upon arrival in the emergency department, her heart rate is 120 beats per minute, BP is
90/70 mm Hg, respiratory rate is 16 breaths per minute, and her GCS score is 15. Examination reveals
bilaterally equal breath sounds, anterior chest wall ecchymosis, and distended neck veins. Her abdomen
is flat, soft, and not tender. Her pelvis is stable. Palpable distal pulses are found in all 4 extremities. Of
the following, the most likely diagnosis is: Correct Answer: cardiac tamponade
A hemodynamically normal 10-year-old girl is hospitalized for observation after a Grade III (moderately
severe) splenic injury has been confirmed by computed tomography (CT). What mandates prompt
celiotomy (laparotomy)? Correct Answer: development of peritonitis on physical exam
A 40-year-old woman who was a restrained driver in a motor vehicle crash is evaluated in the
emergency department. She is hemodynamically normal and found to be paraplegic at the level of T10.
What precaution should be taken during evaluation and management? Correct Answer: Log rolling
using 4 people is a safe approach to restrict spinal motion when moving her.
A trauma patient presents to your emergency department with inspiratory stridor and a suspected c-
spine injury. Oxygen saturation is 88% on high-flow oxygen via a nonrebreathing mask. The most
appropriate next step is to: Correct Answer: restrict cervical motion and establish a definitive airway
When applying the Rule of Nines to infants Correct Answer: The head is proportionally larger in infants
than in adults
A healthy young male is brought to the emergency department following a motor vehicle crash. His vital
signs are a blood pressure of 84/60, pulse 123, GCS 10. The patient moans when his pelvis is palpated.
After initiating fluid resuscitation, the next step in management is: Correct Answer: placement of a
pelvic binder
What situations requires Rh immunoglobulin administration to an injured woman? Correct Answer:
positive pregnancy test, Rh negative, and has torso trauma
A 22-year-old female athlete is stabbed in her left chest at the third interspace in the anterior axillary
line. On admission to the emergency department and 15 minutes after the incident, she is awake and
alert. Her heart rate is 100 beats per minute, blood pressure 80/60 mm Hg, and respiratory rate 20
breaths per minute. A chest x-ray reveals a large left hemothorax. A left chest tube is placed with an
immediate return of 1600 mL of blood. The next management step for this patient is: Correct Answer:
prepare for an exploratory thoracotomy
A 6-year-old boy walking across the street is struck by the front bumper of a sports utility vehicle
traveling at 32 kph (20 mph). What's true about this patient? Correct Answer: A pulmonary contusion
may be present in the absence of rib fractures.
Adjuncts used during the primary survey Correct Answer: ECG
Pulse ox
CO2 monitoringV
Ventilatory rate
ABGs
A 22-year-old man is hypotensive and tachycardic after a shotgun wound to the left shoulder. His blood
pressure is initially 80/40 mm Hg. After initial fluid resuscitation his blood pressure increases to 122/84
mm Hg. His heart rate is now 100 beats per minute and his respiratory rate is 28 breaths per minute. A
tube thoracostomy is performed for decreased left chest breath sounds with the return of a small
amount of blood and no air leak. After chest tube insertion, the most appropriate next step is: Correct
Answer: re-examine the chest
A construction worker falls two stories from a building and sustains bilateral calcaneal fractures. In the
emergency department, he is alert, vital signs are normal, and he is complaining of severe pain in both
heels and his lower back. Lower extremity pulses are strong and there is no other deformity. The
suspected diagnosis is most likely to be confirmed by: Correct Answer: complete spine x-ray series
What is true regarding the initial resuscitation of a trauma patient? Correct Answer: Evidence of
improved perfusion after fluid resuscitation could include improvement in Glasgow Coma Scale score on
reevaluation
In managing a patient with a severe traumatic brain injury, the most important initial step is to: Correct
Answer: secure the airway
A previously healthy, 70-kg (154-pound) man suffers an estimated acute blood loss of 2 liters. What
applies to this patient? Correct Answer: An ABG would demonstrate a base deficit between -6 and -10
mEq/L.
The physiological hypervolemia of pregnancy has clinical significance in the management of the severely
injured, gravid woman by: Correct Answer: increasing the volume of blood loss to produce maternal
hypotension.
The best assessment of fluid resuscitation of the adult burn patient is: Correct Answer: urinary output of
0.5 mL/kg/hr
The diagnosis of shock must include: Correct Answer: evidence of inadequate organ perfusion
A 7-year-old boy is brought to the emergency department by his parents several minutes after he fell
through a window. He is bleeding profusely from a 6-cm wound of his medial right thigh. Immediate
management of the wound should consist of: Correct Answer: direct pressure on the wound
For the patient with severe traumatic brain injury, profound hypocarbia should be avoided to prevent:
Correct Answer: cerebral vasoconstriction with diminished perfusion
After being involved in a motor vehicle crash, a 25-year-old man is brought to a hospital that has surgery
capabilities available.. Computed tomography of the chest and abdomen shows an aortic injury and
splenic laceration with free abdominal fluid. His blood pressure falls to 70 mm Hg after CT. The next step
is: Correct Answer: perform an exploratory laparotomy
,What statements regarding abdominal trauma in the pregnant patient is TRUE? Correct Answer:
Leakage of amniotic fluid is an indication for hospital admission.
The first maneuver to improve oxygenation after chest injury is: Correct Answer: administer
supplemental oxygen
A 25-year-old man, injured in a motor vehicular crash, is admitted to the emergency department. His
pupils react sluggishly and his eyes open to pressure. He does not follow commands, but he does moan
periodically. His right arm is deformed and does not respond to pressure; however, his left hand reaches
purposefully toward the stimulus. Both legs are stiffly extended. His GCS score is: Correct Answer: 9
A 20-year-old woman who is at 32 weeks gestation, is stabbed in the upper right chest. In the
emergency department, her blood pressure is 80/60 mm Hg. She is gasping for breath, extremely
anxious, and yelling for help. Breath sounds are diminished in the right chest. The most appropriate first
step is to: Correct Answer: perform needle or finger decompression of the right chest
What findings in an adult is most likely to require immediate management during the primary survey?
Correct Answer: respiratory rate of 40 breaths per minute
The most important, immediate step in the management of an open pneumothorax is: Correct Answer:
placement of an occlusive dressing over the wound
The following are contraindications for tetanus toxoid administration: Correct Answer: history of
neurological reaction or severe hypersensitivity to the product
A 56-year-old man is thrown violently against the steering wheel of his truck during a motor vehicle
crash. On arrival in the emergency department he is diaphoretic and complaining of chest pain. His
blood pressure is 60/40 mm Hg and his respiratory rate is 40 breaths per minute. What best
differentiates cardiac tamponade from tension pneumothorax as the cause of his hypotension? Correct
Answer: breath sounds
Bronchial intubation of the right or left mainstem bronchus can easily occur during infant endotracheal
intubation because: Correct Answer: The trachea is relatively short.
A 23-year-old man sustains 4 stab wounds to the upper right chest during an altercation and is brought
by ambulance to a hospital that has full surgical capabilities. His wounds are all above the nipple. He is
endotracheally intubated, closed tube thoracostomy is performed, fluid resuscitation is initiated through
2 large-caliber IVs. FAST exam does not reveal intraabdominal injuries. His blood pressure now is 60/0
mm Hg, heart rate is 160 beats per minute, and respiratory rate is 14 breaths per minute (ventilated
with 100% O2). 1500 mL of blood has drained from the right chest. The most appropriate next step in
managing this patient is to: Correct Answer: urgently transfer the patient to the operating room
A 39-year-old man is admitted to the emergency department after an automobile collision. He is
cyanotic, has insufficient respiratory effort, and has a GCS score of 6. His full beard makes it difficult to fit
the oxygen facemask to his face. The most appropriate next step is to: Correct Answer: restrict cervical
motion and attempt orotracheal intubation using 2 people
,A patient is brought to the emergency department after a motor vehicle crash. He is conscious and there
is no obvious external trauma. He arrives at the hospital completely immobilized on a long spine board.
His blood pressure is 60/40 mm Hg and his heart rate is 70 beats per minute. His skin is warm. What do
you expect to see with the patient? Correct Answer: Flaccidity of the lower extremities and loss of deep
tendon reflexes are expected.
What is the most effective method for initially treating frostbite? Correct Answer: Moist heat
A 32-year-old man's right leg is trapped beneath his overturned car for nearly 2 hours before he is
extricated. On arrival in the emergency department, his right lower extremity is cool, mottled, insensate,
and motionless. Despite normal vital signs, pulses cannot be palpated below the right femoral artery and
the muscles of the lower extremity are firm and hard. During the management of this patient, what is
most likely to improve the chances for limb salvage? Correct Answer: surgical consultation for right
lower extremity fasciotomy
A patient arrives in the emergency department after being beaten about the head and face with a
wooden club. He is comatose and has a palpable depressed skull fracture. His face is swollen and
ecchymotic. He has gurgling respirations and vomitus on his face and clothing. The most appropriate
step after providing supplemental oxygen and elevating his jaw is to: Correct Answer: suction the
oropharynx
A 22-year-old man sustains a gunshot wound to the left chest and is transported to a small community
hospital no surgical capabilities are available. In the emergency department, a chest tube is inserted and
700 mL of blood is evacuated. The trauma center accepts the patient in transfer. Just before the patient
is placed in the ambulance for transfer, his blood pressure decreases to 80/68 mm Hg and his heart rate
increases to 136 beats per minute. The next step should be to: Correct Answer: repeat the primary
survey and proceed with transfer
A 64-year-old man involved in a high-speed car crash, is resuscitated initially in a small hospital without
surgical capabilities. He has a closed head injury with a GCS score of 13. He has a widened mediastinum
on chest x-ray with fractures of left ribs 2 through 4, but no pneumothorax. After initiating fluid
resuscitation, his blood pressure is 110/74 mm Hg, heart rate is 100 beats per minute, and respiratory
rate is 18 breaths per minute. He has gross hematuria and a pelvic fracture. You decide to transfer this
patient to a facility capable of providing a higher level of care. The facility is 128 km (80 miles) away.
Before transfer, you should first: Correct Answer: call the receiving hospital and speak to the surgeon
on call
Hemorrhage of 20% of the patient's blood volume is associated usually with Correct Answer:
tachycardia
What statement concerning intraosseous infusion is TRUE? Correct Answer: Aspiration of bone marrow
confirms appropriate positioning of the needle.
A young woman sustains a severe head injury as the result of a motor vehicle crash. In the emergency
department, her GCS is 6. Her blood pressure is 140/90 mm Hg and her heart rate is 80 beats per
minute. She is intubated and mechanically ventilated. Her pupils are 3 mm in size and equally reactive to
light. There is no other apparent injury. The most important principle to follow in the early management
of her head injury is to Correct Answer: avoid hypotension
, A 33-year-old woman is involved in a head-on motor vehicle crash. It took 30 minutes to extricate her
from the car. Upon arrival in the emergency department, her heart rate is 120 beats per minute, BP is
90/70 mm Hg, respiratory rate is 16 breaths per minute, and her GCS score is 15. Examination reveals
bilaterally equal breath sounds, anterior chest wall ecchymosis, and distended neck veins. Her abdomen
is flat, soft, and not tender. Her pelvis is stable. Palpable distal pulses are found in all 4 extremities. Of
the following, the most likely diagnosis is: Correct Answer: cardiac tamponade
A hemodynamically normal 10-year-old girl is hospitalized for observation after a Grade III (moderately
severe) splenic injury has been confirmed by computed tomography (CT). What mandates prompt
celiotomy (laparotomy)? Correct Answer: development of peritonitis on physical exam
A 40-year-old woman who was a restrained driver in a motor vehicle crash is evaluated in the
emergency department. She is hemodynamically normal and found to be paraplegic at the level of T10.
What precaution should be taken during evaluation and management? Correct Answer: Log rolling
using 4 people is a safe approach to restrict spinal motion when moving her.
A trauma patient presents to your emergency department with inspiratory stridor and a suspected c-
spine injury. Oxygen saturation is 88% on high-flow oxygen via a nonrebreathing mask. The most
appropriate next step is to: Correct Answer: restrict cervical motion and establish a definitive airway
When applying the Rule of Nines to infants Correct Answer: The head is proportionally larger in infants
than in adults
A healthy young male is brought to the emergency department following a motor vehicle crash. His vital
signs are a blood pressure of 84/60, pulse 123, GCS 10. The patient moans when his pelvis is palpated.
After initiating fluid resuscitation, the next step in management is: Correct Answer: placement of a
pelvic binder
What situations requires Rh immunoglobulin administration to an injured woman? Correct Answer:
positive pregnancy test, Rh negative, and has torso trauma
A 22-year-old female athlete is stabbed in her left chest at the third interspace in the anterior axillary
line. On admission to the emergency department and 15 minutes after the incident, she is awake and
alert. Her heart rate is 100 beats per minute, blood pressure 80/60 mm Hg, and respiratory rate 20
breaths per minute. A chest x-ray reveals a large left hemothorax. A left chest tube is placed with an
immediate return of 1600 mL of blood. The next management step for this patient is: Correct Answer:
prepare for an exploratory thoracotomy
A 6-year-old boy walking across the street is struck by the front bumper of a sports utility vehicle
traveling at 32 kph (20 mph). What's true about this patient? Correct Answer: A pulmonary contusion
may be present in the absence of rib fractures.
Adjuncts used during the primary survey Correct Answer: ECG
Pulse ox
CO2 monitoringV
Ventilatory rate
ABGs
