ATLS - Advanced Trauma Life Support Trauma in Special Populations Questions and Answers

Question 1

An 82-year-old female is brought to the trauma center after a ground-level fall.
She is on warfarin for atrial fibrillation and metoprolol for hypertension.
Her blood pressure is 110/70 mmHg, heart rate is 80 bpm, and she is lethargic.
What is the most appropriate interpretation of her vital signs?

Accepted Answer

The patient is likely in compensated shock, masked by the effects of her beta-blocker medication.

Answer

The patient is hemodynamically stable and can proceed to a non-urgent secondary survey.

Answer

The vital signs are unreliable due to her age, and a lactate level should be sent immediately.

Answer

Hypotension is not a concern unless the systolic blood pressure is below 90 mmHg.

Question 2

A 28-year-old female who is 30 weeks pregnant is the restrained driver in a motor vehicle collision. Her initial vital signs are stable. An arterial blood gas (ABG) is obtained, which shows a PaCO2 of 40 mmHg. Which of the following is the correct interpretation of this finding?

Accepted Answer

This indicates impending respiratory failure.

Answer

This is a normal finding and indicates adequate ventilation.

Answer

This suggests hyperventilation due to anxiety and pain.

Answer

This is consistent with metabolic acidosis.

Question 3

A 4-year-old child weighing 18 kg is rescued from a house fire with second-degree burns over both full legs. The child is tachycardic and has a delayed capillary refill. According to ATLS principles, what is the most appropriate initial fluid bolus?

Accepted Answer

360 mL of Lactated Ringer's solution.

Answer

1000 mL of Lactated Ringer's solution.

Answer

180 mL of packed red blood cells.

Answer

500 mL of 0.9% Normal Saline.

Question 4

During the primary survey of a 26-year-old female who is 24 weeks pregnant and immobilized on a backboard, she suddenly becomes hypotensive and lightheaded. Which of the following is the most critical immediate intervention?

Accepted Answer

Manually displace the uterus to the left side.

Answer

Administer a 2-liter bolus of warm crystalloid.

Answer

Prepare for an emergency cesarean section.

Answer

Obtain a STAT chest x-ray to rule out tension pneumothorax.

Question 5

An 8-year-old boy falls off his bicycle, striking the handlebars with his abdomen. He initially complains of mild pain but is now pale and tachycardic. A FAST exam is positive for fluid in the splenorenal space. Which organ is most likely injured?

Accepted Answer

Spleen

Answer

Duodenum

Answer

Pancreas

Answer

Bladder

Question 6

In managing a morbidly obese trauma patient, the provider should anticipate that which of the following procedures is likely to be more difficult compared to a non-obese patient?

Accepted Answer

All of the above.

Answer

Obtaining peripheral intravenous access.

Answer

Assessing for JVD.

Answer

Performing a FAST exam.