ATLS FLASH-CARDS STUDY GUIDE 2026, Exams of Medicine

ATLS FLASH-CARDS STUDY GUIDE 2026

Typology: Exams

2025/2026

Available from 05/20/2026

EXAMSAVER
EXAMSAVER 🇺🇸

418 documents

1 / 39

Toggle sidebar

This page cannot be seen from the preview

Don't miss anything!

bg1
ATLS questions with verified solutions
2023
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
pf3
pf4
pf5
pf8
pf9
pfa
pfd
pfe
pff
pf12
pf13
pf14
pf15
pf16
pf17
pf18
pf19
pf1a
pf1b
pf1c
pf1d
pf1e
pf1f
pf20
pf21
pf22
pf23
pf24
pf25
pf26
pf27

Partial preview of the text

Download ATLS FLASH-CARDS STUDY GUIDE 2026 and more Exams Medicine in PDF only on Docsity!

ATLS questions with verified solutions

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

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

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

C. Increasing the FIO2 in the inspired gas D. Intercostal nerve blocks for pain relief E. Endotracheal intubation and mechanical ventilation. - correct answer E. Endotracheal intubation and mechanical ventilation Which of the following statements regarding patients with thoracic spine injuries is TRUE? A. Log-rolling may be destabilizing to fractures from T12 to L B. Adequate immobilization can be accomplished with the scoop stretcher C. Spinal cord injury below T10 usually spares bowel and bladder function D. Hyperflexion fractures in the upper thoracic spine are inherently unstable E. These patients rarely present with neurogenic shock in association with cord injury. - correct answer A. Log-rolling may be destabilizing to fractures from T12 to L During resuscitation, which one of the following is the most reliable as a guide to volume replacement? A. Heart rate B. Hematocrit C. Blood pressure D. Urinary output E. Jugular venous pressure - correct answer D. Urinary out A 24-year-old woman passenger in an automobile strikes the wind screen with her face during a head-on collision. In the ED, she is talking and has marked facial edema and crepitus. The highest priority should be given to: A. Lateral c-spine x-ray B. Upper airway protection C. Carotid pulse assessment D. Management of blod loss E. Determination of associated injuries - correct answer B. Upper airway protection The driver of a single car crash is orotracheally intubated in the field by prehospital personnel after they identify a closed head injury and determine that the patient is unable to protect his airway. In the ED, the patient demonstrate decorticate posturing bilaterally. He is being ventilated with a bag-valve device, but his breath sounds are absent in the left hemithorax. His blood pressure is 160/80mmHg, heart rate is 70 beats per minute, and the pulse oximeter displays a hemoglobin oxygen saturation of 96%. The next step in assessing and managing this patient should be to: A. Determine the arterial blood gases B. Obtain a lateral cervical spine x-ray C. Assess placement of the endotracheal tube D. Perform needle decompression of the left chest E. Insert a thoracostomy in the left hemithorax. - correct answer C. Assess placement of the endotracheal tube

The response to catecholamines in an injured, hypovolemic pregnant woman can be expected to result in: A. Placental abruption B. Fetal hypoxia and distress C. Fetal/maternal dysrhytmia D. Improved uterine blood flow E. Increased maternal renal blood flow - correct answer B. Fetal hypoxia and distress A 22-year-old man sustains a gunshot wound to the left chest and is transported to a small community hospital at which surgical capabilites are not available. In the ED, a chest tube is inserted and 700ml of blood is evacuted. The trauma center accepts the patient in transfer. Just before the patient is placed in an ambulance for transfer, his blood pressure decreases to 80/68mmHg and his heart rate increases to 136 beats per minute. The next step should be to: A. Clamp the chest tube B. Cancel the patients transfer C. Perform an ED thoracotomy D. Repeat the primary survey and proceed with transfer E. Delay the transfer until the referring doctor can contact a thoracic surgeon. - correct answer D. Repeat the primary survey and proceed with transfer 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. Avoid hypotension 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 A. Avoid hypotension A 6-year-old boy walking across the street is struck by the front bumper of a sports utility vehicle traveling at 32kph (20mph). Which one of the following statements is TRUE? A. A flail chest is probable B. A symptomatic cardiac contusion is expected C. A pulmonary contusion may be present in the absence of rib fractures D. Transection of the thoracic aorta is more likely than in an adult patient E. Rib fractures are commonly found in children with this mechanism of injury - correct answer C. A pulmonary contusion may be present in the absence of rib fractures

Which one of the following statements regarding abdominal trauma in the pregnant patient is TRUE? A. The fetus is in jeopardy only with major abdominal trauma B. Leakage of amniotic fluid is an indication for hospital admission C. Indications for peritoneal lavage are different from those in the non-pregnant patient D. Penetration of an abdominal hollow viscus is mor common late than in early pregnancy E. The secondary survey follows a different pattern from that of the non-pregnant patient - correct answer B. Leakage of amniotic fluid is an indication for hospital admission All of the following are indicators of inhalation injury EXCEPT: A. Singeing of the eyebrows and nasal vibrissae B. Carboxyhemoglobin level >4% C. Carbon deposits in the mouth or nose and carbonaceous sputum D. Hoarseness E. Face or neck burns - correct answer B. Carboxyhemoglobin level >4% (grensen er 10%) 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 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

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

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 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