ATLS EXAM QUESTIONS WITH 100%
EXPERT VERIFIED CORRECT ANSWERS
LATEST UPDATE 2025
Bougies are typically inserted blindly, how do you know you are in the
trachea and not the esophagus? --- correct answer ---You can feel the
"clicks" as the distal tip rubs against the cartilaginous tracheal rings, or it
will deviate right or left when entering either bronchus (usually at 50 cm).
What do you NOT want to hear if you ascultate a patient after placement of
an ET tube? --- correct answer ---Borborygmi - rumbling or gurgling noises
suggesting esophageal insertion.
What is the RSI dose for etomidate? --- correct answer ---0.3 mg/kg (usually
20 mg)
What is the RSI dose for sux? --- correct answer ---1-2 mg/kg (usually 100
mg)
How does etomidate affect blood pressure? --- correct answer ---It doesn't -
at least it SHOULDN'T have any significant effect on BP. Ketamine will
increase BP, and propofol and thiopental will both drop BP.
,A RSI dose of sux usually lasts about ___ minutes. --- correct answer ---5
What hypnotic/sedative/induction agent do you NOT want to use for a
severely burned patient? --- correct answer ---SUX - patients with severe
burns, crush injuries, hyperkalemia, or chronic paralytic/neuromuscular
diseases should NOT get sux because of hyperkalemia risk.
Oxygen should flow at 15L for needle cricothyroidotomy, and have a Y-
connector for insufflation if possible. What size needle do you use for
adults? Kids? --- correct answer ---Adults 12-14 gauge, kids 16-18 gauge
Cricoid cartilage is the only circumferential support for the upper trachea in
kids, therefore surgical cricothyroidotomy is not recommended in kids
under the age of ___. --- correct answer ---12
In a "normal" patient without significant chest wall injury or lung disease,
needle cricothyroidotomy can provide adequate oxygenation for
approximately ____ minutes. --- correct answer ---30-45
For a patient with difficulty breathing, what things might you try before you
provide a surgical airway? --- correct answer ---Chin-lift, jaw-thrust (NOT
head-tilt while maintaining c-spine precautions), OPA (guedel), NPA
(trumpet), LMA, Combitube, ET tube +/- bougie
,How do you know if an OPA/Guedel is the correct size for the patient? ---
correct answer ---A correctly sized OPA will extend from the corner of the
patient's mouth to the external auditory canal.
What should do with the balloon on an ET tube/LMA/foley before you insert
it? --- correct answer ---Inflate it to make sure it doesn't leak - then deflate
and insert.
What size LMA do you use for kid, woman/small man, large woman/man? --
- correct answer ---Kid: 3, Woman/small man: 4, Large woman/man: 5
(C3,4,5 keep the diaphragm alive)
The proper size ET tube for an infant is ______. --- correct answer ---The
same size as the infant's nostril or little finger. (Usually size 3 for neonates,
3.5 for infants)
What size cuffed endotracheal tube do you use for an emergency
cricothyroidotomy? --- correct answer ---5 or 6
Use size 3 ET tubes for neonates, 3.5 for infants 0-6 months, and size 4 for
infants 6-12 months. How do you calculate what size ET tube to use for
toddlers and kids? --- correct answer ---Age/4 + 4 mm = internal diameter
, Shock is defined as an abnormality of the circulatory system that results in
inadequate organ perfusion and tissue oxygenation. What are the 4 different
types? --- correct answer ---Neurogenic, cardiogenic, hypovolemic, septic
The most common cause of shock in the injured trauma patient is _____. ---
correct answer ---hemorrhage
Approximately ___% of the body's total blood volume is located in the
venous circuit. --- correct answer ---70
Why does shock actually reduce the total volume of circulating blood? ---
correct answer ---Anaerobic metabolism --> can't make more ATP -->
Endoplasmic then mitochondrial damage --> lysosomes rupture --> sodium
and WATER enter the cell, which SWELLS and dies.
Which vasopressors should you use to treat hemorrhagic shock? What are
the drug doses? --- correct answer ---NEVER use pressors for hypovolemic
shock - use VOLUME replacement. Pressors will worsen tissue perfusion in
hemorrhagic shock.
Compensatory mechanisms may preclude a measurable fall in systolic blood
pressure until up to __% of the patient's blood volume is lost. --- correct
answer ---30
EXPERT VERIFIED CORRECT ANSWERS
LATEST UPDATE 2025
Bougies are typically inserted blindly, how do you know you are in the
trachea and not the esophagus? --- correct answer ---You can feel the
"clicks" as the distal tip rubs against the cartilaginous tracheal rings, or it
will deviate right or left when entering either bronchus (usually at 50 cm).
What do you NOT want to hear if you ascultate a patient after placement of
an ET tube? --- correct answer ---Borborygmi - rumbling or gurgling noises
suggesting esophageal insertion.
What is the RSI dose for etomidate? --- correct answer ---0.3 mg/kg (usually
20 mg)
What is the RSI dose for sux? --- correct answer ---1-2 mg/kg (usually 100
mg)
How does etomidate affect blood pressure? --- correct answer ---It doesn't -
at least it SHOULDN'T have any significant effect on BP. Ketamine will
increase BP, and propofol and thiopental will both drop BP.
,A RSI dose of sux usually lasts about ___ minutes. --- correct answer ---5
What hypnotic/sedative/induction agent do you NOT want to use for a
severely burned patient? --- correct answer ---SUX - patients with severe
burns, crush injuries, hyperkalemia, or chronic paralytic/neuromuscular
diseases should NOT get sux because of hyperkalemia risk.
Oxygen should flow at 15L for needle cricothyroidotomy, and have a Y-
connector for insufflation if possible. What size needle do you use for
adults? Kids? --- correct answer ---Adults 12-14 gauge, kids 16-18 gauge
Cricoid cartilage is the only circumferential support for the upper trachea in
kids, therefore surgical cricothyroidotomy is not recommended in kids
under the age of ___. --- correct answer ---12
In a "normal" patient without significant chest wall injury or lung disease,
needle cricothyroidotomy can provide adequate oxygenation for
approximately ____ minutes. --- correct answer ---30-45
For a patient with difficulty breathing, what things might you try before you
provide a surgical airway? --- correct answer ---Chin-lift, jaw-thrust (NOT
head-tilt while maintaining c-spine precautions), OPA (guedel), NPA
(trumpet), LMA, Combitube, ET tube +/- bougie
,How do you know if an OPA/Guedel is the correct size for the patient? ---
correct answer ---A correctly sized OPA will extend from the corner of the
patient's mouth to the external auditory canal.
What should do with the balloon on an ET tube/LMA/foley before you insert
it? --- correct answer ---Inflate it to make sure it doesn't leak - then deflate
and insert.
What size LMA do you use for kid, woman/small man, large woman/man? --
- correct answer ---Kid: 3, Woman/small man: 4, Large woman/man: 5
(C3,4,5 keep the diaphragm alive)
The proper size ET tube for an infant is ______. --- correct answer ---The
same size as the infant's nostril or little finger. (Usually size 3 for neonates,
3.5 for infants)
What size cuffed endotracheal tube do you use for an emergency
cricothyroidotomy? --- correct answer ---5 or 6
Use size 3 ET tubes for neonates, 3.5 for infants 0-6 months, and size 4 for
infants 6-12 months. How do you calculate what size ET tube to use for
toddlers and kids? --- correct answer ---Age/4 + 4 mm = internal diameter
, Shock is defined as an abnormality of the circulatory system that results in
inadequate organ perfusion and tissue oxygenation. What are the 4 different
types? --- correct answer ---Neurogenic, cardiogenic, hypovolemic, septic
The most common cause of shock in the injured trauma patient is _____. ---
correct answer ---hemorrhage
Approximately ___% of the body's total blood volume is located in the
venous circuit. --- correct answer ---70
Why does shock actually reduce the total volume of circulating blood? ---
correct answer ---Anaerobic metabolism --> can't make more ATP -->
Endoplasmic then mitochondrial damage --> lysosomes rupture --> sodium
and WATER enter the cell, which SWELLS and dies.
Which vasopressors should you use to treat hemorrhagic shock? What are
the drug doses? --- correct answer ---NEVER use pressors for hypovolemic
shock - use VOLUME replacement. Pressors will worsen tissue perfusion in
hemorrhagic shock.
Compensatory mechanisms may preclude a measurable fall in systolic blood
pressure until up to __% of the patient's blood volume is lost. --- correct
answer ---30
