Updated for 2026-2027
ATLS POST TEST QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS 2026-2027 | ADVANCED
TRAUMA LIFE SUPPORT PRACTICE EXAM (200 UPDATED).100%
CORRECT ALREADY GRADED A+
1. Airway
A 30-year-old male trauma patient arrives with stridor, hoarseness, and
subcutaneous emphysema after blunt neck trauma. Which is the most appropriate
first step?
A) Rapid sequence intubation with orotracheal tube
B) Cricothyroidotomy
C) Nasotracheal intubation
D) Bag-mask ventilation
Answer: B.
Suspected laryngeal fracture → orotracheal intubation is unsafe.
Cricothyroidotomy is preferred.
2. Shock
A patient with blunt abdominal trauma has HR 140, BP 70/40, cold extremities,
and no external bleeding. What is the most likely shock type?
A) Hypovolemic
B) Cardiogenic
C) Neurogenic
D) Obstructive
Answer: A.
Most common after trauma = hemorrhagic (hypovolemic) shock.
3. Breathing
,Updated for 2026-2027
A trauma patient is tachypneic with decreased breath sounds on the left,
hyperresonance, and tracheal deviation to the right. Best immediate management?
A) Chest X-ray
B) Needle decompression at 2nd ICS, midclavicular
C) Endotracheal intubation
D) Chest tube at 5th ICS, midaxillary
Answer: B.
Classic tension pneumothorax → needle decompression first, then chest tube.
4. Circulation
A 24-year-old male with pelvic fracture has persistent hypotension despite 2L IV
crystalloids. Next step?
A) Continue fluids
B) Laparotomy
C) Pelvic binder and blood transfusion
D) IV vasopressors
Answer: C.
Pelvic fracture bleeding → binder + blood products.
5. Neurologic
A patient has GCS = 7. What is the most important intervention?
A) Insert chest tube
B) Immediate airway protection (intubation)
C) IV mannitol
D) CT head
Answer: B.
GCS ≤ 8 requires airway protection.
6. Spinal injury
,Updated for 2026-2027
A patient after MVA complains of paralysis below the waist and loss of
pain/temperature on the opposite side. What syndrome is this?
A) Anterior cord syndrome
B) Central cord syndrome
C) Brown-Séquard syndrome
D) Posterior cord syndrome
Answer: C.
Hemisection → ipsilateral motor loss, contralateral pain/temp loss.
7. Burns
A patient with flame burns has singed nasal hairs, hoarseness, and carbonaceous
sputum. What is the next step?
A) IV fluids
B) Oxygen by nasal cannula
C) Early endotracheal intubation
D) Nebulized bronchodilator
Answer: C.
Airway burns → intubate early before swelling obstructs airway.
8. Circulation
Which fluid is initially recommended for hemorrhagic shock resuscitation?
A) Hypertonic saline
B) Lactated Ringer’s
C) 5% Dextrose
D) Albumin
Answer: B.
ATLS → LR or NS as initial crystalloid bolus.
9. Chest trauma
, Updated for 2026-2027
A trauma patient has muffled heart sounds, hypotension, and JVD. Which
condition is suspected?
A) Tension pneumothorax
B) Cardiac tamponade
C) Pulmonary embolism
D) Hemothorax
Answer: B.
Beck’s triad = tamponade.
10. Abdominal trauma
Best investigation for unstable patient with blunt abdominal trauma?
A) FAST (Focused Abdominal Sonography for Trauma)
B) CT abdomen with contrast
C) Diagnostic peritoneal lavage
D) MRI
Answer: A.
FAST is quick and bedside → preferred in unstable patients.
11. Pediatrics
Which of the following is the earliest sign of shock in children?
A) Hypotension
B) Tachycardia
C) Altered mental status
D) Weak pulses
Answer: B.
Kids compensate → tachycardia is earliest sign, hypotension is late.
12. Head injury
ATLS POST TEST QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS 2026-2027 | ADVANCED
TRAUMA LIFE SUPPORT PRACTICE EXAM (200 UPDATED).100%
CORRECT ALREADY GRADED A+
1. Airway
A 30-year-old male trauma patient arrives with stridor, hoarseness, and
subcutaneous emphysema after blunt neck trauma. Which is the most appropriate
first step?
A) Rapid sequence intubation with orotracheal tube
B) Cricothyroidotomy
C) Nasotracheal intubation
D) Bag-mask ventilation
Answer: B.
Suspected laryngeal fracture → orotracheal intubation is unsafe.
Cricothyroidotomy is preferred.
2. Shock
A patient with blunt abdominal trauma has HR 140, BP 70/40, cold extremities,
and no external bleeding. What is the most likely shock type?
A) Hypovolemic
B) Cardiogenic
C) Neurogenic
D) Obstructive
Answer: A.
Most common after trauma = hemorrhagic (hypovolemic) shock.
3. Breathing
,Updated for 2026-2027
A trauma patient is tachypneic with decreased breath sounds on the left,
hyperresonance, and tracheal deviation to the right. Best immediate management?
A) Chest X-ray
B) Needle decompression at 2nd ICS, midclavicular
C) Endotracheal intubation
D) Chest tube at 5th ICS, midaxillary
Answer: B.
Classic tension pneumothorax → needle decompression first, then chest tube.
4. Circulation
A 24-year-old male with pelvic fracture has persistent hypotension despite 2L IV
crystalloids. Next step?
A) Continue fluids
B) Laparotomy
C) Pelvic binder and blood transfusion
D) IV vasopressors
Answer: C.
Pelvic fracture bleeding → binder + blood products.
5. Neurologic
A patient has GCS = 7. What is the most important intervention?
A) Insert chest tube
B) Immediate airway protection (intubation)
C) IV mannitol
D) CT head
Answer: B.
GCS ≤ 8 requires airway protection.
6. Spinal injury
,Updated for 2026-2027
A patient after MVA complains of paralysis below the waist and loss of
pain/temperature on the opposite side. What syndrome is this?
A) Anterior cord syndrome
B) Central cord syndrome
C) Brown-Séquard syndrome
D) Posterior cord syndrome
Answer: C.
Hemisection → ipsilateral motor loss, contralateral pain/temp loss.
7. Burns
A patient with flame burns has singed nasal hairs, hoarseness, and carbonaceous
sputum. What is the next step?
A) IV fluids
B) Oxygen by nasal cannula
C) Early endotracheal intubation
D) Nebulized bronchodilator
Answer: C.
Airway burns → intubate early before swelling obstructs airway.
8. Circulation
Which fluid is initially recommended for hemorrhagic shock resuscitation?
A) Hypertonic saline
B) Lactated Ringer’s
C) 5% Dextrose
D) Albumin
Answer: B.
ATLS → LR or NS as initial crystalloid bolus.
9. Chest trauma
, Updated for 2026-2027
A trauma patient has muffled heart sounds, hypotension, and JVD. Which
condition is suspected?
A) Tension pneumothorax
B) Cardiac tamponade
C) Pulmonary embolism
D) Hemothorax
Answer: B.
Beck’s triad = tamponade.
10. Abdominal trauma
Best investigation for unstable patient with blunt abdominal trauma?
A) FAST (Focused Abdominal Sonography for Trauma)
B) CT abdomen with contrast
C) Diagnostic peritoneal lavage
D) MRI
Answer: A.
FAST is quick and bedside → preferred in unstable patients.
11. Pediatrics
Which of the following is the earliest sign of shock in children?
A) Hypotension
B) Tachycardia
C) Altered mental status
D) Weak pulses
Answer: B.
Kids compensate → tachycardia is earliest sign, hypotension is late.
12. Head injury
