ATLS ADVANCED TRAUMA LIFE SUPPORT EXAM | QUESTIONS AND CORRECT ANSWERS | GRADED A+, Exams of Nursing

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ATLS ADVANCED TRAUMA LIFE SUPPORT EXAM |

QUESTIONS AND CORRECT ANSWERS | GRADED A+

| VERIFIED ANSWERS | LATEST VERSION 2025 (JUST

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A 32-year-old man right leg is trapped beneath his overturned car for nearly 2 hours before he is extricated. On arrival in the ED, his right lower extremity is cool, mottled, insensate, and motionless. Despite normal vital signs, pulses cannot be palpated inferior to the femoral artery, and the muscles of the lower extremity are firm and hard. During initial management of this patient, which of the following is most likely to improve chances for limb salvage? A. Apply skeletal traction B. Administering anticoagulant drugs C. Adminstering thrombolytic therapy D. Perform right lower extremity fasciotomy E. Immediately transferring the patient to a trauma center. --------- CORRECT ANSWER-----------------D. Perform right lower extremity fasciotomy A patient arrives in the ED after being beaten about the head and face with a wooden club. He is comatose and has a palpable depressed skull fracture. His face is swollen and ecchymotic. He has gurgling respirations and vomitus on his face and clothing. The most appropriate step after providing supplemental oxygen and elevating his jaw is to: A. Request a CT-scan B. Insert a gastric tube C. Suction of the oropharynx D. Obtain a lateral cervical spine x-ray E. Ventilate the patient with a bag-mask ---------CORRECT ANSWER-------- ---------C. Suction of the oropharynx

An 8 year old boy falls 4,5meters from a tree and is brought to the ED by his familiy. His vital signs are normal, but he complains of left upper quadrant pain. An abdominal CT scan reveals a moderately severe laceration of the spleen. The receiving institution does not have 24 hour a day operating room capabilities. The most appropriate management of this patient would be: A. Type and crossmatch for blood B. Request consultation of a pediatrician C. Transfer the patient to a trauma center D. Admit the patient to the ICU E. Prepare the patient for surgery the next day ---------CORRECT ANSWER-----------------D. Admit the patient to the ICU A construction worker falls from a scaffold and is transferred to the ED. His HR is 124 bpm and BP is 85/60mmHg. He complains of lower abdominal pain. After assessing the airway and chest, immobilizing the c-spine and initiating fluid resuscitation, the next step is to perform A. FAST B. Detailed neurological exam C. Rectal exam D. Cervical c-spine x-ray E. Urethral catheterization. ---------CORRECT ANSWER-----------------A. FAST A 22 year old male sustains a shotgun wound to the left shoulder and chest at close range. His BP is 80/40mmHg and his HR is 130bpm. After 2 liters of crystalloid solution are rapidly infused, his BP increases to 122/84, and HR decreases to 100bpm. He is tachypneic with RR of 28. On physical examination, his breath sounds are decreased at the left upper chest with dullness on percussion. A large caliber (36 french) tube thoracostomy is inserted in the fifth intercostal space with the return of 200ml of blood and no air leak. The most appropriate next step is to: A. insert a foley catheter B. Begin to transfuse o-negative blood C. Perform thoracotomy D. Obtain a CT-scan of chest and abdomen

E. Repeat the physical examination of the chest ---------CORRECT ANSWER-----------------E. Repeat the physical examination of the chest Which one of the following statements concerning spine and spinal cord trauma is true? A. A normal lateral c-spine film excludes injury B. A vertebral injury is unlikely in the absence of physical findings of a cord injury C. A patient with a suspected injury requires immobilization on a short spine D. Diaphragmatic breathing in an unconscious patient who has fallen is a sign of spine injury E. Determination of whether a spinal cord lesion is complete or incomplete must be made in the primary survey ---------CORRECT ANSWER------------- ----D. Diaphragmatic breathing in an unconscious patient who has fallen is a sign of spine injury A 20 year old athlete is involved in a motorcycle crash. When he arrives in the ED, he shouts that he cannot move his legs. On physical examination, there are noe abnormalities of the chest, abdomen or pelvis. The patient has no sensation in his legs and cannot move them, but his arms are moving. The patients RR is 28 bpm, HR is 88bpm and BP is 80/60mmHg. He is pale and sweaty. What is the most likely cause of this condition? A. Neurogenic shock B. Cardiogenic shock C. Abdominal hemorrhage D. Myocardial contusion E. Hyperthermia. ---------CORRECT ANSWER-----------------A. Neurogenic shock A 64-year-old man, involved in a high-speed car crash, is resuscitated initially in a small hospital with limited resources. He has a closed head injury with a GCS score of 13. He has a widened mediastinum on chest x- ray with fractures of left ribs 2 through 4 but no pneumothorax. After

infusing 2 liters of crystalloid solution, his blood pressure is 100/74, heart rate is 110 beats per minute, and respiratory rate is 18 breaths per minute. He has gross hematuria and a pelvic fracture. You decide to transfer this patient to a facility capable of providing a higher level of care. The facility is 128km (80 miles) away. Before transfer, you should first: A. Intubate the patient B. Perform diagnostic peritoneal lavage C. Apply the pneumatic antishock garment D. Call the receiving hospital and speak to the surgeon on call E. Discuss the advisability of transfer with the patients family. --------- CORRECT ANSWER-----------------D. Call the receiving hospital and speak to the surgeon on call During the third trimester of pregnancy, all of the following changes occur normally, EXCEPT a: A. Decrease in PaCO B. Decrease in the leukocyte count C. Reduce gastric emptying rate D. Diminished residual lung volume E. Diminished pelvic ligament tension ---------CORRECT ANSWER----------- ------B. Decrease in the leukocyte count In managing the head-injury patient, the most important initial step is to: A. Secure the airway B. Obtain c-spine film C. Support the circulation D. Control scalp hemorrhage E. Determine GCS score ---------CORRECT ANSWER-----------------A. Secure the airway The first maneuver to improve oxygenation after chest injury is: A. Intubate the patient B. Assess arterial blood gases C. Administer supplemental oxygen

D. Ascertain the need for a chest tube E. Obtain a chest x-ray ---------CORRECT ANSWER-----------------C. Administer supplemental oxygen A 25-year-old man, injured in a motor vehicular crash, is admitted to the ED. His pupils react sluggishly and his eyes open to painful stimuli only. He does not follow commands, but he does moan periodically. His right arm is deformed and does not respond to painful stimulus; however, his left hand reaches purposefully toward the painful stimulus. Both legs are stiffly extended. His GCS score is: A. 7 B. 8 C. 9 D. 10 E. 11 ---------CORRECT ANSWER----------------- 9 A 20-year-old woman, at 32 weeks gestation, is stabbed in the upper right chest. In the ED, her blood pressure is 80/60mmHg. 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: A. perform tracheal intubation B. Insert an oropharyngeal airway C. Perform needle decompression of the right chest D. Manually displace the gravid uterus to the left side of the abdomen E. Initiate 2 large-caliber peripheral IV lines and crystalloid infusion --------- CORRECT ANSWER-----------------C. Perform needle decompression of the right chest Which one of the following findings in an adult should prompt immediate management during primary survey? A. Distended abdomen B. GCS of 11 C. Temperature of 36, D. Heart rate of 120 beats per minute

E. Respiratory rate of 40 breaths per minute ---------CORRECT ANSWER--- --------------E. Respiratory rate of 40 breaths per minute A trauma patient present to your emergency department with inspiratory stridor and a suspected C-spine injury. Oxygen saturation is 88% on high- flow oxygen via a nonrebreathing mask. The most appropriate next step is to: A. Apply cervical traction B. Perform immediate tracheostomy C. Insert bilateral thoracostomy tubes D. Maintain 100% oxygen and obtain immediate c-spine x-rays E. Maintain inline immobilization and establish a definitive airway --------- CORRECT ANSWER-----------------E. Maintain inline immobilization and establish a definitive airway When apply the Rule of Nines to infants, A. It is not reliable B. The body is proportionally larger in infants than in adults C. The head is proportionally larger in infants than in adults D. The legs are proportionally larger in infants than in adults E. The arms are proportionally larger in infants than in adults --------- CORRECT ANSWER-----------------C. The head is proportionally larger in infants than in adults A 60-year-old man sustains a stab wound to the right posterior flank. Witnesses state the weapon was a small knife. His heart rate is 90 beats per minute, blood pressure is 128/72mmHg and respiratory rate is 24 breaths per minute. The most appropriate action to take at this time is to: A. Perform a colonoscopy B. Perform a barium enema C. Perform an intravenous pyelogram D. Perform serial physical examinations E. Suture repair the wound and outpatient follow up ---------CORRECT ANSWER-----------------D. Perform serial physical examinations

The following are criteria for transfer to a burn center, EXCEPT for: A. Partial-thickness and full-thickness burns on greater than 10% of the BSA B. Any full-thickness burn C. Partial-thickness and full-thickness burn involving the face, hands, feet, genitalia, perineum and skin overlying major joints D. Elevated central venous pressure E. Inhalation injury ---------CORRECT ANSWER-----------------D. Elevated central venous pressure Systolic blood pressure starts to decrease in which class of hemorrhage? A. Class 0 B. Class 1 C. Class 2 D. Class 3 E. Class 4 ---------CORRECT ANSWER-----------------C. Class 2 A 7-year-old boy is brought to the ED by his parents several minutes after he fell through a window. He is bleeding profusely from a 6-cm wound of his medial right thigh. Immediate management of the wound should consist of: A. Application of a torniquet B. Direct pressure on the wound C. Packing the wound with gauze D. Direct pressure on the femoral artery at the groin E. Debridement of devitalized tissue ---------CORRECT ANSWER------------- ----B. Direct pressure on the wound For the patient with severe traumatic brain injury, profound hypocarbia should be avoided to prevent: A. Respiratory alkalosis

B. Metabolic acidosis C. Cerebral vasoconstriction with diminished perfusion D. Neurogenic pulmonary edema E. Shift of the oxyhemoglobin dissociation curve. ---------CORRECT ANSWER-----------------C. Cerebral vasoconstriction with diminished perfusion A 33-year-old woman is involved in a head-on motor vehicle crash. It took 30 minutes to extricate her from the car. Upon arrival in the ED, her heart rate is 120 beats per minute, BP is 90/70mmHg, respiratory rate is 16 breaths per minute, and GCS is 15. Examination reveals bilaterally equal breath sounds, anterior chest wall ecchymosis, and distended neck veins. Her abdomen is flat, soft, and not tender. Her pelvis is stable. Palpable distal pulses are found in all 4 extremities. Of the following, the most likely diagnosis is: A. hemorrhagic shock B. Cardiac tamponade C. Massive hemothorax D. Tension pneumothorax E. Diaphragmatic rupture. ---------CORRECT ANSWER-----------------B. Cardiac tamponade A hemodynamically normal 10-year-old girls is admitted to the pediatric intensive care unit for observation after a grade III (moderately severe) splenic injury has been confirmed by CT. Which of the following mandates prompt laparotomy? A. Serum amylase of 200 B. Leukocyte count of 14, C. Extraperitoneal bladder rupture D. Free peritoneal air demonstrated on follow up CT E. A fall in the hemoglobin level from 12g/dl to 8g/dl over 24 hours --------- CORRECT ANSWER-----------------D. Free peritoneal air demonstrated on follow up CT

A 40-year-old woman restrained driver is transported to the ED in full spinal immobilization. She is hemodynamically stable and found to be paraplegic at the level of T10. Neurologic examination also determines that there is loss of pain and temperature sensation with preservation of proprioception and vibration. These finding are consistent with the diagnosis of : A. Central cord syndrome B. Spinal shock syndrome C. Anterior cord syndrome D. Complete cord syndrome E. Brown-Sequard syndrome ---------CORRECT ANSWER-----------------C. Anterior cord syndrome Hemorrhage of 20% of the patients blood volume is associated usually with: A. Oliguria B. Confusion C. Hypotension D. Tachycardia E. Blood transfusion requirement ---------CORRECT ANSWER----------------- D. Tachycardia Which of the follow statements concerning intraosseous infusion is TRUE? A. Only crystalloid solutions may be safely infused through the needle B. Aspiration of bone marrow confirms appropriate positioning of the needle C. Intraosseous infusion is the preferred route for volume resuscitation in small children D. Intraosseous infusion may be utilized indefinitely E. Swelling in the soft tissues around the intraosseous site is not a reason to discontinue infusion. ---------CORRECT ANSWER-----------------B. Aspiration of bone marrow confirms appropriate positioning of the needle The most important, immediate step in the management of an open pneumothorax is: A. endotracheal intubation

B. Operation to close the wound C. Placing a chest tube through the chest wound D. Placement of an occlusive dressing over the wound E. Initiation of 2 large-caliber IVs with crystalloid solution ---------CORRECT ANSWER-----------------D. Placement of an occlusive dressing over the wound Which one of the following situations requires Rh immunoglobulin administration to an injured woman? A. Negative pregnancy test, Rh negative, and torso trauma B. Positive pregnancy test, Rh positive, and has torso trauma C. Positive pregnancy test, Rh negative, and has torso trauma D. Positive pregnancy test, Rh positive, and has an isolated wrist fracture E. Positive pregnancy test, Rh negative, and has an isolated wrist fracture - --------CORRECT ANSWER-----------------C. Positive pregnancy test, Rh negative, and has torso trauma A 22-year-old man is hypotensive and tachycardic after a shotgun wound to the left shoulder. His BP is initially 80/40mmHg. After 2 liters of crystalloid solution his blood pressure increases to 122/84mmHg. His heart rate is now 100 beats per minute and his respiratory rate is 28 breaths per minute. His breath sounds are decreased in the left hemithorax, and after initial IV fluid resusciation, a closed tube thoracostomy is performed for decreased left breath sound with the return of small amount of blood and no air leak. After chest tube insertion, the most appropriate next step is to: A. Reexamine the chest B. Perform an aortogram C. Obtain a CT-scan of the chest D. Obtain arterial blood gas analyses E. Perform transesophageal echocardiography ---------CORRECT ANSWER-----------------A. Reexamine the chest A construction worker falls two stories from a building and sustain bilateral calcaneal fractures. In the ED, he is alert, vital signs are normal, and he is

complaining of severe pain in both heels and his lower back. Lower extremity pulses are strong and there is no deformity. The suspected diagnosis is most likely to be confirmed by: A. Angiography B. Compartment pressures C. Retrograde urethrogram D. Doppler-ultrasound studies E. Complete spine x-ray series ---------CORRECT ANSWER-----------------E. Complete spine x-ray series A 22-year-old female athlete is stabbed in her left chest at the third interspace in the anterior axillary line. On admission to the ED and 15 minutes after the incident, she is awake and alert. Her heart rate is 100 beats per minute, BP 80/60mmHg, and respiratory rate is 20 breaths per minute. A chest x-ray reveals a large left hemithorax. A left chest tube is placed with an immediate return of 1600ml of blood. The next management step for this patient is: A. perform a thoracoscopy B. Perform an arch aortogram C. Insert a second left chest tube D. Prepare for an exploratory thoracotomy E. Perform a chest CT ---------CORRECT ANSWER-----------------D. Prepare for an exploratory thoracotomy A 56-year-old man is thrown violently against the steering wheel of his truck during a motor vehicle crash. On arrival in the ED he is diaphoretic and complaining of chest pain. His BP is 60/40mmHg 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? A. Tachycardia B. Pulse volume C. Breath sounds D. Pulse pressure E. Jugular venous pressure ---------CORRECT ANSWER-----------------C. Breath sounds

All of the following are true of the Mallampati classification EXCEPT: A. Class IV is the easiest intubation, while Class 1 is the most difficult B. It helps assess for difficult intubations C. It is part of the LEMON assessment D. It comprises a visual assessment of the distance from the tongue base to the roof of the mouth, and therefore the amount of space there is to work E. A poor Mallampati score is associated with a higher incidens of obstructive sleep apnea. ---------CORRECT ANSWER-----------------A. Class IV is the easiest intubation, while Class 1 is the most difficult A 23-year-old man sustains three 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 intubates, closed tube thoracostomy is performed, and 2 liters of crystalloid solution are infused through 2 large-caliber IVs. His BP i 60/0mmHg, heart rate is 160 beats per minute, and respiratory rate is 14 breaths per minute (ventilated with 100% O2). 1500ml of blood has drained from the right chest. The most appropriate next step in managing this patient is to: A. Perform FAST B. Obtain a CT of the chest C. Perform angiography D. Urgently transfer the patient to the operating room E. Immediately transfer the patient to a trauma center. ---------CORRECT ANSWER-----------------D. Urgently transfer the patient to the operating room Which of the following signs is LEAST reliable for diagnosing esophageal intubation? A. Symmetrical chest movement B. End-tidal CO2 presence by colorimetry C. Bilateral breath sounds D. Oxygen saturation > 92%

E. ETT above carina on chest x-ray ---------CORRECT ANSWER-------------- ---E. ETT above carina on chest x-ray Which one of the following signs necessitates a definitive airway in severe trauma patients? A. Facial lacerations B. Repeated vomiting C. Severe maxillofacial fractures D. Sternal fracture E. GCS score of 12 ---------CORRECT ANSWER-----------------C. Severe maxillofacial fractures Which one of the following statements is correct? A. Cerebral contusion may coalesce to form an intracerebral hematoma B. Epidural hematomas are usually seen in frontal region C. Subdural hematomas are caused by injury to the middle meningeal artery D. Subdural hematomas typically have a lenticular shape on CTscan E. The associated brain damage is more severe in epidural hematomas. --- ------CORRECT ANSWER-----------------A. Cerebral contusion may coalesce to form an intracerebral hematoma An 18 year old male is brought to the ED after having been shot. He has one bullet wound just below the right clavicle and another just below the costal margin in the right posterior axillary line. His BP is 110/60, HR is 90bpm, and RR is 34bpm. After ensuring a patent airway and inserting 2 large caliber iv line, the next appropriate step is to: A. Obtain a chest x-ray B. Adminster a bolus of additional iv fluid C. Perform a laparotomy D. Obtain abdominal CT-scan E. Perform DPL ---------CORRECT ANSWER-----------------A. Obtain a chest x-ray

Which of the following is the recommended Method for trestemt frostbite? A. Vasodilators B. Anticigulants C. Warm (40 degrees) water D. Padding and elevation E. Application of heat from a hairdryer ---------CORRECT ANSWER----------- ------C. Warm (40 degrees) water Which of the following physical findings suggest a cause of hypotension other than spinal cord injury? A. Prispism B. Bradycardia C. Diaphragmatic breathing D. Presence of deep tendon reflexes E. Ability to flex forearms but not extend them ---------CORRECT ANSWER- ----------------D. Presence of deep tendon reflexes. Spinal shock refers to loss of muscle toe (flaccidty) and loss of reflexes. The primary indication for transferring A patient to a higher level trauma center is: A. Unavailibility of surgeon or operating staff B. Multiple system injuries, including severe head injury C. Resource limitations as determined by the transferring doctor D. Resource limitations as determined by the hospital administration E. Widened mediastinum on chest x-ray following blunt trauma --------- CORRECT ANSWER-----------------C. Resource limitations as determined by the transferring doctor (MÅ SJEKKES) A young man sustains a rifle wound to the mid-abdomen. He is brought promptly to the ED by prehospital personnel. His skin is cool and diaphoretic, and his systolic blood pressure is 58mmHg. Warmed

crystalloid fluids are initiated without improvement in his vital signs. The next, most appropriate, step is to perform: A. a laparotomy B. An abdominal CT-scan C. Diagnostic laparoscopy D. Abdominal ultrasonography E. A diagnostic peritoneal lavage ---------CORRECT ANSWER----------------- A. Laparotomy because of hemodynamic abnormality A 42-year-old man is trapped from the waist down beneath his overturned tractor for several hours before medical assistance arrives. He is awake and alert until just before arriving in the ED. He is now unconscious and responds only to painful stimuli by moaning. His pupils are 3mm in diameter and symmetrically reactive to light. Prehospital personnel indicate that they have not seen the patient move either of his lower extremities. On examination in the ED, no movement of his lower extremities are detected, even in response to painful stimuli. The most likely cause for this finding is: A. An epidural hematoma B. A pelvic fracture C. Central cord syndrome D. Intracerebral hemorrhage E. Bilateral compartment syndrome ---------CORRECT ANSWER-------------- ---MÅ SJEKKES A 6-year-o boy is struck by an automobile and brought to the ED. He is lethargic, but withdraws purposefully from painful stimuli. His blood pressure is 90mmHg systolic, heart rate 140 beats per minute and his respiratory rate is 36 breaths per minute. The preferred route of venous access in this patient is: A. Percutaneous femoral vein cannulation B. Cutdown on the saphenous vein at the ankle C. Intraosseous catheter placement in the proximal tibia D. Percutaneous peripheral veins in the upper extremities E. Central venous access via the subclavian or internal jugular vein --------- CORRECT ANSWER-----------------D. Percutaneous peripheral veins in the upper extremities

A young man sustains a gunshot wound to the abdomen and is brought promptly to the ED by prehospital personnel. His skin is cool and diaphoretic, and he is confused. His pulse is thready and his femoral pulse is only weakly palpable. The definitive treatment in managing this patient is to: A. Administer O-negative blood B. Apply external warming devices C. Control internal hemorrhage operatively D. Apply a pneumatic antishock garment (PASG) E. Infuse large volumes of intravenous crystalloid solutions. --------- CORRECT ANSWER-----------------C. Control internal hemorrhage operatively 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 20ml/kg Ringers Lactate ---------CORRECT ANSWER-----------------D. The absolute volume of blood loss required to produce shock is the same as in adults A 33-year-old man is struck by a car travelling at 56km/h (35mph). He has obvious fractures of the left tibia near the knee, pain in the pelvic area, and severe dyspnea. His heart rate is 182 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 144 beats per minute, his respirartory rate decreases to 36 breaths per minute and his blood pressure is 81/53 mmHg. Warmed Ringers lactate is adminstered intravenously. The next priority should be to: A. Perform external fixation of the pelvis

B. Obtain abdominal and pelvic CT-scans C. Perform arterial embolization of the pelvic vessel D. Perform diagnostic peritoneal lavage or FAST E. Perform a urethrogram and cystogram ---------CORRECT ANSWER------- ----------D. Perform diagnostic peritoneal lavage or FAST A 42-year-old man, injured in a motor vehicle crash, suffers a closed head injury, multiple palpable left rib fractures, and bilateral femur fractures. He is intubated orotracheally without difficulty. Initially, his ventilations are easily assisted with a bag-mask device. It becomes more difficult to ventilate the patient over the next 5 minutes, and his hemoglobin oxygen saturation level decreases from 98% to 89%. The most appropriate next step is to: A. Obtain a chest x-ray B. Decrease the tidal volume C. Decrease PEEP D. Increase the rate of assisted ventilations E. Perform needle decompression of the left chest. ---------CORRECT ANSWER-----------------A. Obtain a chest x-ray (MÅ SJEKKES) 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. Dorsalis pedis 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 --------- CORRECT ANSWER-----------------B. Tamponade of the wound with a pressure dressing

An 18-yeard-old, unhelmeted motorcyclist is brought by ambulance to the ED following a crash. He had decreased level of consciousness at the scene, but then was alert and conversational during transportation. Now his GCS is only 11. Which of the following statements is TRUE? A. Cerebral perfusion is intact B. Intravascular volume status is normal C. The patient is in a postictal state D. Intra-abdominal visceral injury is unlikely E. The patient probably has an acute epidural hematoma ---------CORRECT ANSWER-----------------E. The patient probably has an acute epidural hematoma A previously healthy, 70kg (175 pound) man suffers an estimated acute blood loss of two liters. Which one of the following statements apply to this patient? A. His pulse pressure will be widened B. His urinary output will be at the lower limits of normal C. He will have tachycardia, but no change in systolic blood pressure D. His systolic blood pressure will be decreased with a narrowed, pulse pressure E. His systolic blood pressure will be maintained with an elevated diastolic pressure. ---------CORRECT ANSWER-----------------E. His systolic blood pressure will be maintained with an elevated diastolic pressure. The physioclogic hypervolemia of pregnancy has clinical significance in the management of the severely injured gravid woman by A. Reducing the need for blood transfusion B. Increasing the risk of pulmonary edema C. Complicating the management of closed head injury D. Increasing the volume of blood loss to produce shock/maternal hypotension E. Reducing the volume of crystalloid required for resuscitation --------- CORRECT ANSWER-----------------D. Increasing the volume of blood loss to produce shock

A 17-year-old helmeted motorcyclist loses consciousness when he is struck broad side by an automobile at an intersection. He arrives in the ED with a blood pressure of 140/92, pulse rate 88 beats per minute, a respiratory rate of 18 breaths per minue, and a GCS of 7. Appropriate initial immobilization of this patient should include a semi-rigid cervical collar and: A. A scoop stretcher B. A long spine board C. A short spine board D. Cervical traction tongs E. Pneumatic antishock garment ---------CORRECT ANSWER----------------- B. A long spine board During an altercation, a 36-year-old man sustains a gunshot wound above the nipple line on the right, with an exit wound posteriorly above the scapula on the right. He is transported by ambulance to a community hospital. He is endotracheally intubated, close tube thoracostomy is performed, and 2 liters Ringers lactate solution are infused via 2 large- caliber IV´s. His blood pressure now is 60/0mmHg, heart rate is 160 beats per minute, and respiratory rate is 14 breaths per minute (ventilated with 100% O2). The most appropriate next step in managin this patient is: A. Laparotomy B. Diagnostic peritoneal lavage C. Arterial blood gas determination D. Administer packed red blood cells E. Chest X-ray to confirm tube placement ---------CORRECT ANSWER------ -----------E. Chest X-ray to confirm tube placement Abscence of breath sounds and dullness to percussion over the left hemithorax are findings best explained by: A. Left hemothorax B. Cardiac contusion C. Left simple pneumothorax D. Left diaphragmatic rupture

E. Right tension pneumothorax ---------CORRECT ANSWER-----------------A. Left hemothorax A 23-year-old man is brought immediately to the ED from the hospitals parking lot where he was shot in the lower abdomen. Examination reveals a single bullet wound. He is breathing and has a thready pulse. However, he is unconsious and has no detectable blood pressure. Optimale immediate management is to: A. Perform a diagnostic peritoneal lavage B. Initiate infusion of packed red blood cells C. Insert a nasogastric tube and urinary catheter D. Transfer the patient to the operating room, while initiating fluid therapy E. Initiate fluid therapy to return his blood pressure to normotensive --------- CORRECT ANSWER-----------------D. Transfer the patient to the operating room, while initiating fluid therapy A teen-aged bicycle rider is hit by a truck traveling at high speed. In the ED, she is actively bleeding from open fractures of her legs, and has abrasions on her chest and abdominal wall. Her blood pressure is 80/50 mmHg, heart rate is 140 beats per minute, respiratory rate is 8 breaths per minute, and GCS score is 6. The first step in managing this patient is to: A. Obtain a lateral cervical spine x-ray B. Insert av central venous pressure line C. Adminster 2 liters of crystalloid solution D. Perform endotracheal intubation and ventilation E. Apply a pneumatic antishock garment (PASG) and inflate the leg compartments. ---------CORRECT ANSWER-----------------D. Perform endotracheal intubation and ventilation An 8-year-old boy falls 4,5 meters (15 feet) from a tree and is brought to the ED by his family. His vital signs are normal, but he complains of left upper quadrant pain. An abdominal CT-scan reveals a moderately severe laceration of the spleen. The receiving institution does not have 24-hour-a-

day operating room capabilities. The most appropriate management of this patient would be to A. Type and crossmatch for blood B. Request consultation of a pediatrician C. Transfer the patient to a trauma center D. Admit the patient to the intensive care unit E. Prepare the patient for surgery the next day ---------CORRECT ANSWER-----------------D. Admit the patient to the intensive care unit Which of the following statements regarding injury to the central nervous system in children is TRUE? A. Children suffer spinal cord injury without x-ray abnormality more commonly than adults. B. An infant with a traumatic brain injury may become hypotensive from cerebral edema C. Initial therapy for the child with traumatic brain injury includes the administration of methylprednisolone intravenously D. Children have more focal mass lesions as a result for traumatic brain injury when compared to adults. E. Young children are less tolerant of expanding intracranial mass lesions than adults ---------CORRECT ANSWER-----------------A. Children suffer spinal cord injury without x-ray abnormality more commonly than adults. A 17-year-old helmeted motorcyclist is struck broadside by an automobile at an intersection. He is unconscious at the scene with a blood pressure of 140/90mmHg, heart rate of 90 beats per minute, and respiratory rate of 22 breaths per minute. His respirations are sonorous and deep. His GCS score is 6. Immobilization of the entire patient may include the use of all the following EXCEPT: A. Air splints B. Bolstering devices C. A long spine board D. A scoop-style stretcher E. A semi-rigid cervical collar ---------CORRECT ANSWER-----------------A. Air splints

Twenty-seven patients are seriously injured in an aircraft accident at a local airport. The basic principle of triage should be to: A. Treat the most severely injured patients first B. Establish a field triage area directed by a doctor C. Rapidly transport all patients to the nearest appropriate hospital D. Treat the greatest number of patients in the shortest period of time E. Produce the greatest number of survivors based on available resources ---------CORRECT ANSWER-----------------E. Produce the greatest number of survivors based on available resources An electrician is eletrocuted by a downed power line after a thunderstorm. He apparently made contact with the wire at the level of the right mid thigh. In the ED, his vital signs are normal and no dysrythmia is noted on ECG. On examination, there is an exit wound on the bottom of the right foot. His urine is positive for blood by dipstick but not RBCs are seen microscopically. Initial management should include: A. Immediate angiography B. Aggressive fluid infusion C. Intravenous pyelography D. Debridement of necrotic muscle E. Admission to the ICU for observation ---------CORRECT ANSWER--------- --------B. Aggressive fluid infusion - suspected rhabdomyolyse A young woman sustains a severe head injury as the result of a motor vehicular crash. In the ED, her GCS is 6. Her blood pressure is 140/90 mmHg and her heart rate 80 beats per minute. She is intubated and is being mechanically ventilated. Her pupils are 3mm in size and equally reactive to light. There is no other apparent injury. The most important principle to follow in early management of her head injury is to: A. Administer an osmotic diuretic B. Prevent secondary brain injury C. Agressively treat systemic hypertension D. Reduce meatbolic requirements of the brain

E. Distinguish between intracranial hematoma and cerebral edema. --------- CORRECT ANSWER-----------------B. Prevent secondary brain injury To establish a diagnosis of shock, A. Systolic blood pressure must be below 90mmHg B. The presence of a closed head injury should be excluded C. Acidosis should be present by arterial blood gas analysis D. The patient must fail to respond to intravenous fluid infusion E. Clinical evidence of inadequate organ perfusion must be present. --------- CORRECT ANSWER-----------------E. Clinical evidence of inadequate organ perfusion must be present. A 32-year-old is brought to the hospital unconscious with severe facial injuries and noisy respirations after an automobile collision. In the ED, he has no apparent injury to the anterior aspect of his neck. He suddenly becomes apneic, and attempted ventilation with a face mask is unsuccessful. Examination of his mouth reveals a large hematoma of the pharynx with loss of normal anatomic landmarks. Initial management of his airways should be consist of: A. Inserting an oropharyngeal airway B. Inserting a nasopharyngeal airway C. Performing a surgical cricothyroidotomy D. Performing fiberoptic-guided nasotracheal intubation E. Performin orotracheal intubation after obtaining a lateral c-spine x-ray --- ------CORRECT ANSWER-----------------A. Inserting an oropharyngeal airway A 25-year-old woman is brought to the ED after a motor vehicle crash. She was initially lucid at the scene and then developed a dilated pupil and contralateral extremity weakness. In the ED, she is unconscious and has a GCS score of 6. The initial management step for this patient should be to: A. Obtain a CT-scan of the head B. Administer decadron 20mg IV C. Perform endotracheal intubation

D. Administer mannitol 1g/kg IV E. Perform an emergency bone flap craniotomy on the side of the dilated pupil. ---------CORRECT ANSWER-----------------C. Perform endotracheal intubation A contraindication to nasogastric intubation is the presence of a: A. Gastric perforation B. Diaphragmatic rupture C. Open depressed skull fracture D. Fracture of the cervical spine E. Fracture of the cribiform plate ---------CORRECT ANSWER----------------- E. Fracture of the cribiform plate An 8-year-old girl is an unrestrained passenger in a vehicle struck from behind. In the ED, her blood pressure is 80/60mmHg, heart rate is 80 beats per minute, and respiratory rate is 16 breaths per minute. Her GCS score is

14. She complains that her legs feel "funny and wont move right". However, her spine x-rays do not show a fracture or dislocation. A spinal cord injury in this child: A. Is most likely a central cord syndrome B. Must be diagnosed by magnetic resonance imaging C. Can be excluded by obtaining a CT-scan of the entire spine D. May exist in the abscence of objective findings on x-ray studies E. Is unlikely because of the incomplete calcification of the vertebral bodies. ---------CORRECT ANSWER-----------------D. May exist in the abscence of objective findings on x-ray studies Immediate chest tube insertion is indicated for which of the following conditions? A. Pneumothorax B. Pneumomediastinum C. Massive hemothorax D. Diaphragmatic rupture

E. Subcutaneous emphysema ---------CORRECT ANSWER-----------------C. Massive hemothorax Cardiac tamponade after trauma: A. Is seldom life-threating B. Can be excluded by an upright, AP chest x-ray C. Can be confused with a tension pneumthorax D. Causes a fall in systolic pressure of > 15mmHg with expiration E. Most commonly occurs after blunt injury to the anterior chest wall --------- CORRECT ANSWER-----------------C. Can be confused with a tension pneumthorax A 22-year-old man is brought to the hospital after crashing his motorcycle into a telephone pole. He is unconscious and in profound shock. He has no open wounds or obvious fractures. The cause of his shock is MOST LIKELY caused by: A. A subdural hematoma B. An epidural hematoma C. A transected lumbar spinal cord D. A basilar skull fracture E. Hemorrhage into the chest or abdomen ---------CORRECT ANSWER----- ------------E. Hemorrhage into the chest or abdomen Which 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-Isoimmunzation 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 ---------CORRECT ANSWER-----------------C. A negative Kleihauer-Betke test excludes Rh-Isoimmunzation