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ATLS POST TEST PRACTICE EXAM TEST
QUESTIONS WITH CORRECT ANSWERS
TESTED AND VERIFIED
1. A specific aspect of the treatment of thermal injuries is:
--answer-- a. Chemical burns require the immediate removal of clothing.
b. Patients who sustain thermal injury are at lower risk of hypothermia.
c. Patients with circumferential burns need prompt fasciotomies.
d. Electrical burns are associated with extensive skin necrosis (from entry
point to exit).
e. The Parkland formula should be used to determine adequacy of
resuscitation.
2. A 15-year-old male is brought to ER after being involved in a motor
vehicle crash. He is unconscious and was intubated at the scene by
EMS. On ER, O2 is 92%, HR is 96 and BP is 150/85 mm Hg. Breath
sounds are decreased on the left side of the thorax. The next step is:
a. Immediate needle cricothyroidotomy.
b. Immediate needle thoracocentesis.
c. Chest tube insertion.
—answer-- d. Reassess the position of endotracheal tube.
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a. Obtain a chest X-ray.
3. Which one of the following statements is true?
a. Elevated ICP will not affect cerebral perfusion.
b. CSF cannot be displaced from the cranial vault.
c. Cerebral blood flow (CBF) is increased when the PaCO2 is below 30
mm Hg.
–answer--d. AutoregulationCBF normally occurs between cerebral
perfusion pressures of 50 to 150.
e. Hypotonic fluids should be used to limit brain edema in patients with
severe head injury.
4. The first priority in the management of a long bone fracture is:
a. Reduction of the pain.
b. Prevention of infection in case of an open fracture.
c. Prevention of further soft tissue injury.
—answer-- d. Control of hemorrhage.
e. Improve long-term function.
2
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1. A 23-year-old male is stabbed below the right nipple. He is alert, and his
oxygen is 98%. Chest tube was placed for treatment of
hemopneumothorax. BP 90/60 mm Hg after 1L of crystalloid solution.
What is the next step in treatment?
a. Place a left-sided chest tube. –answer--b.
Re-examine the chest.
c. Insert central venous catheter.
d. Perform CT scan of the abdomen and pelvis.
e. Prepare for urgent thoracotomy.
2. A 22-year-old male is assaulted in a bar. A semi-rigid cervical coller is
applied, and he is immobilized on a spine board. On initial exam, VS are
normal, GCS is 15. Which of the following is an indication for CT in this
patient with possible minor traumatic brain injury?
—answer-- a. Presence of hemotympanum.
b. Blood alcohol concentration of 0.16%.
c. Presence of an isolated 10 cm scalp laceration.
d. Presence of a mandibular fracture.
e. History of assault.
3
ATLS POST TEST PRACTICE EXAM TEST
QUESTIONS WITH CORRECT ANSWERS
TESTED AND VERIFIED
1. A specific aspect of the treatment of thermal injuries is:
--answer-- a. Chemical burns require the immediate removal of clothing.
b. Patients who sustain thermal injury are at lower risk of hypothermia.
c. Patients with circumferential burns need prompt fasciotomies.
d. Electrical burns are associated with extensive skin necrosis (from entry
point to exit).
e. The Parkland formula should be used to determine adequacy of
resuscitation.
2. A 15-year-old male is brought to ER after being involved in a motor
vehicle crash. He is unconscious and was intubated at the scene by
EMS. On ER, O2 is 92%, HR is 96 and BP is 150/85 mm Hg. Breath
sounds are decreased on the left side of the thorax. The next step is:
a. Immediate needle cricothyroidotomy.
b. Immediate needle thoracocentesis.
c. Chest tube insertion.
—answer-- d. Reassess the position of endotracheal tube.
1
, Page 2 of 28
a. Obtain a chest X-ray.
3. Which one of the following statements is true?
a. Elevated ICP will not affect cerebral perfusion.
b. CSF cannot be displaced from the cranial vault.
c. Cerebral blood flow (CBF) is increased when the PaCO2 is below 30
mm Hg.
–answer--d. AutoregulationCBF normally occurs between cerebral
perfusion pressures of 50 to 150.
e. Hypotonic fluids should be used to limit brain edema in patients with
severe head injury.
4. The first priority in the management of a long bone fracture is:
a. Reduction of the pain.
b. Prevention of infection in case of an open fracture.
c. Prevention of further soft tissue injury.
—answer-- d. Control of hemorrhage.
e. Improve long-term function.
2
, Page 3 of 28
1. A 23-year-old male is stabbed below the right nipple. He is alert, and his
oxygen is 98%. Chest tube was placed for treatment of
hemopneumothorax. BP 90/60 mm Hg after 1L of crystalloid solution.
What is the next step in treatment?
a. Place a left-sided chest tube. –answer--b.
Re-examine the chest.
c. Insert central venous catheter.
d. Perform CT scan of the abdomen and pelvis.
e. Prepare for urgent thoracotomy.
2. A 22-year-old male is assaulted in a bar. A semi-rigid cervical coller is
applied, and he is immobilized on a spine board. On initial exam, VS are
normal, GCS is 15. Which of the following is an indication for CT in this
patient with possible minor traumatic brain injury?
—answer-- a. Presence of hemotympanum.
b. Blood alcohol concentration of 0.16%.
c. Presence of an isolated 10 cm scalp laceration.
d. Presence of a mandibular fracture.
e. History of assault.
3
