ATLS PRE TEST QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
VERIFIED 100% CORRECT
1. Which one of the following statements is FALSE concerning Rh isoimmunization in the
pregnant trauma patient?
a. It occurs in blunt or penetrating abdominal trauma.
b. Minor degrees of fetomaternal hemorrhage produce it.
c. A negative Kleihauer-Betke test excludes Rh isoimmunization.
d. This is not a problem in the traumatized Rh-positive pregnant patient.
e. initiation of Rh immunoglobulin therapy does not require proof of fetomaternal
hemorrhage.
2. A 30-year-old man is struck by a car traveling at 56 kph (35 mph). He has obvious fractures
of the left tibia near the knee, pain in the pelvic area, and severe dyspnea. His heart rate
is 180 beats per minute, and his respiratory rate is 48 breaths per minute with no breath
sounds heard in the left chest. A tension pneumothorax is relieved by immediate needle
decompression and tube thoracostomy. Subsequently, his heart rate decreases to 140
beats per minute, his respiratory rate decreases to 36 breaths per minute, and his blood
pressure is 80/50 inm Hg. Warmed Ringer's lactate is administered intravenously. The
next priority should be to:
a. perform a urethrogram and cystogram.
b. perform external fixation of the pelvis.
c. obtain abdominal and pelvic CT scans.
d. perform arterial embolization of the pelvic vessels.
e. perform diagnostic peritoneal lavage or abdominal ultrasound.
3. Regarding shock in the child, which of the following is FALSE?
a. Vital signs are age-related.
b. Children have greater physiologic reserves than do adults.
, c. Tachycardia is the primary physiologic response to hypovolemia.
d. The absolute volume of blood loss required to produce shock is the same as in
adults.
e. An initial fluid bolus for resuscitation should approximate 20 mL/kg of Ringer's
lactate
4. A 30-year-old man sustains a severely comminuted, open distal right femur fracture in a
motorcycle crash. The wound is actively bleeding. Normal sensation is present over the
lateral aspect of the foot but decreased over the medial foot and great toe. Normal
motion of the foot is observed.
Dorsalispedis and posterior tibial pulses are easily palpable on the left, but
heard only by Doppler on the right. Immediate efforts to improve circulation to the injured
extremity should involve
a. immediate angiography.
b. tamponade of the wound with a pressure dressing.
c. wound exploration and removal of bony fragments.
d. realignment of the fracture segments with a traction splint.
e. fasciotomy of all four compartments in the lower extremity.
5. A crosstable, lateral x-ray of the cervical spine
a. must precede endotracheal intubation.
b. excludes serious cervical spine injury.
c. is an essential part of the primary survey.
d. is not necessary for unconscious patients with penetrating cervical injuries.
e. is unacceptable unless 7 cervical vertebrae and the C-7 to T-1 relationship are
visualized.
6. An 18-year-old, helmeted motorcyclist is brought by ambulance to the emergency
department following a high-speed crash. Prehospitalpersormel report that he was thrown
VERIFIED 100% CORRECT
1. Which one of the following statements is FALSE concerning Rh isoimmunization in the
pregnant trauma patient?
a. It occurs in blunt or penetrating abdominal trauma.
b. Minor degrees of fetomaternal hemorrhage produce it.
c. A negative Kleihauer-Betke test excludes Rh isoimmunization.
d. This is not a problem in the traumatized Rh-positive pregnant patient.
e. initiation of Rh immunoglobulin therapy does not require proof of fetomaternal
hemorrhage.
2. A 30-year-old man is struck by a car traveling at 56 kph (35 mph). He has obvious fractures
of the left tibia near the knee, pain in the pelvic area, and severe dyspnea. His heart rate
is 180 beats per minute, and his respiratory rate is 48 breaths per minute with no breath
sounds heard in the left chest. A tension pneumothorax is relieved by immediate needle
decompression and tube thoracostomy. Subsequently, his heart rate decreases to 140
beats per minute, his respiratory rate decreases to 36 breaths per minute, and his blood
pressure is 80/50 inm Hg. Warmed Ringer's lactate is administered intravenously. The
next priority should be to:
a. perform a urethrogram and cystogram.
b. perform external fixation of the pelvis.
c. obtain abdominal and pelvic CT scans.
d. perform arterial embolization of the pelvic vessels.
e. perform diagnostic peritoneal lavage or abdominal ultrasound.
3. Regarding shock in the child, which of the following is FALSE?
a. Vital signs are age-related.
b. Children have greater physiologic reserves than do adults.
, c. Tachycardia is the primary physiologic response to hypovolemia.
d. The absolute volume of blood loss required to produce shock is the same as in
adults.
e. An initial fluid bolus for resuscitation should approximate 20 mL/kg of Ringer's
lactate
4. A 30-year-old man sustains a severely comminuted, open distal right femur fracture in a
motorcycle crash. The wound is actively bleeding. Normal sensation is present over the
lateral aspect of the foot but decreased over the medial foot and great toe. Normal
motion of the foot is observed.
Dorsalispedis and posterior tibial pulses are easily palpable on the left, but
heard only by Doppler on the right. Immediate efforts to improve circulation to the injured
extremity should involve
a. immediate angiography.
b. tamponade of the wound with a pressure dressing.
c. wound exploration and removal of bony fragments.
d. realignment of the fracture segments with a traction splint.
e. fasciotomy of all four compartments in the lower extremity.
5. A crosstable, lateral x-ray of the cervical spine
a. must precede endotracheal intubation.
b. excludes serious cervical spine injury.
c. is an essential part of the primary survey.
d. is not necessary for unconscious patients with penetrating cervical injuries.
e. is unacceptable unless 7 cervical vertebrae and the C-7 to T-1 relationship are
visualized.
6. An 18-year-old, helmeted motorcyclist is brought by ambulance to the emergency
department following a high-speed crash. Prehospitalpersormel report that he was thrown
