ACTUAL EXAM
"What is the main bleeding source in a subdural hematoma?
A. Capillary
B. Venous
C. Arterial
D. Mix type - CORRECT ANSWER B. Venous"
"Central venous pressure is reflective of: - CORRECT ANSWER Pressure of blood
returning to the heart"
"Why does the ACLS protocol recommend epinephrine?
A. Increases muscular blood flow
B. Dilates the bronchioles
C. Enhances myocardial contractility D. Raises the systolic blood pressure - CORRECT
ANSWER C. Enhances myocardial contractility"
"What occurs in patients developing a central herniation of the brain?
A. One sided paralysis
B. Pupillary constriction
C. Bilateral deterioration of functioning
D. Lower extremity paralysis - CORRECT ANSWER C. Bilateral deterioration of
functioning"
"Blood containing HIV that is spilled on the floor can be disinfected with which of the
following?
A. Benzene
B. Sodium hypochlorite
C. Iodine
D. Penicillin - CORRECT ANSWER B. Sodium hypochlorite"
"What is the most likely place for an over advanced endotracheal (ET) tube to enter?
A. Stomach
B. Right mainstem bronchus
C. Soft palate
D. Left mainstem bronchus - CORRECT ANSWER B. Right mainstem bronchus"
"For flail chest to occur... - CORRECT ANSWER 3 or more anterior and posterior rib
fractures need to be present"
"In comparison to the vocal cords, where is the laryngeal mask airway usually placed?
A. Superior
B. Inferior
,C. Adjacent
D. Flush - CORRECT ANSWER A. Superior"
"A patient is involved in a MVA. He suffers a left femur fracture with head trauma. He is
resuscitated at the scene and stabilized. Upon transfer to the ER, his blood pressure
gradually decreases and then suddenly drops to 60/40. He has a splint on the left leg.
What is the most likely cause of his decreased blood pressure?
A. Head trauma
B. Abdominal organ rupture
C. Rib fracture
D. Cardiac contusion - CORRECT ANSWER B. Abdominal organ rupture"
"In a patient with head trauma, what indicates rising intracranial pressure (ICP)? -
CORRECT ANSWER Pupillary dilation
Wide pulse pressure
Rising BP"
"In which of the following clinical contexts is an urgent, post-traumatic head CT NOT
necessary?
A. Individual with seizures
B. Individual with a progressive headache
C. Individual with an unreliable history
D. Individual with a Glasgow coma scale score of 15 - CORRECT ANSWER D.
Individual with a Glasgow coma scale score of 15"
"Which of the following is CORRECT about visceral pain?
A. Always superficial
B. Difficulty to localize
C. Only seen in peritonitis
D. Is rarely referred - CORRECT ANSWER B. Difficulty to localize"
"Emergency decompression of the brain with a subdural hematoma should be
evacuated if there is a midline shift of what amount?
A. 1 mm
B. 2 mm
C. 5 mm
D. 10 mm - CORRECT ANSWER C. 5 mm"
"To relieve a right tension pneumothorax, where should the needle should be placed?
A. 4th intercostal space left of the mediastinum
B. 2nd intercostal space left of the mediastinum
C. 4th intercostal space right of the mediastinum
D. 2nd intercostal space right of the mediastinum - CORRECT ANSWER D. 2nd
intercostal space right of the mediastinum"
,"A patient has been in a major MVA and is comatose. He has a high level of alcohol and
is hypothermic. Which of the following test can stand alone in certifying the patient as
brain dead?
A. Apnea test
B. Absence of oculocephalic and oculovestibular reflexes
C. Absence of blood flow on cerebral angiogram after warming
D. EEG - CORRECT ANSWER C. Absence of blood flow on cerebral angiogram after
warming.
"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"
"Which one of the following 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"
"Which one of the following 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. Which of the following 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. Which one of the following statements is
TRUE? - CORRECT ANSWER Flaccidity of the lower extremities and loss of deep
tendon reflexes are expected."
"Which one of the following 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, which of the