ATLS - Advanced Trauma Life Support Airway and Ventilatory Management Questions and Answers

Question 1

A 25-year-old male is brought to the emergency department after a high-speed motor vehicle collision.
He is agitated, with gurgling sounds heard from his airway.
His Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) is 7.
According to ATLS guidelines, which of the following is the most appropriate next step in managing this patient's airway?

Accepted Answer

Immediately attempt orotracheal intubation with in-line cervical spine stabilization.

Answer

Perform a chin-lift maneuver and insert a nasopharyngeal airway.

Answer

Apply a non-rebreather mask with 100% oxygen and wait for vital signs.

Answer

Obtain a lateral cervical spine X-ray before any airway intervention.

Question 2

Which of the following is the most reliable method for confirming correct endotracheal tube placement in a trauma patient immediately after intubation?

Accepted Answer

Continuous waveform capnography showing a consistent CO2 waveform.

Answer

Auscultation of bilateral breath sounds and absence of epigastric sounds.

Answer

Observation of symmetric chest rise with ventilation.

Answer

Condensation seen inside the endotracheal tube.

Question 3

A trauma patient with severe maxillofacial injuries and active oropharyngeal bleeding cannot be intubated via orotracheal or nasotracheal routes. Bag-mask ventilation is also proving ineffective. What is the next definitive airway management step according to ATLS protocols?

Accepted Answer

Perform a surgical cricothyroidotomy.

Answer

Insert a laryngeal mask airway (LMA).

Answer

Perform an emergency needle cricothyroidotomy.

Answer

Attempt a retrograde intubation.

Question 4

When assessing a trauma patient for a potentially difficult airway, the ATLS course recommends using the LEMON mnemonic. What does the 'E' in LEMON stand for?

Accepted Answer

Evaluate the 3-3-2 Rule

Answer

Emergency Profile

Answer

External Injury

Answer

End-tidal CO2

Question 5

A 6-year-old child involved in a fall has a GCS of 10, is breathing spontaneously but noisily (stridor), and has significant bruising over the anterior neck. Which statement regarding airway management in this pediatric patient is most accurate based on ATLS principles?

Accepted Answer

The jaw-thrust maneuver should be used instead of the head-tilt/chin-lift to open the airway.

Answer

Surgical cricothyroidotomy is the preferred initial surgical airway.

Answer

A nasopharyngeal airway is contraindicated due to potential facial fractures.

Answer

Oral airways should be inserted with a 180-degree rotation, similar to adults.

Question 6

Which of the following is an absolute indication for establishing a definitive airway in an adult trauma patient?

Accepted Answer

Apnea.

Answer

A respiratory rate of 28 breaths per minute.

Answer

Presence of a simple rib fracture.

Answer

Oxygen saturation of 93% on room air.