ATLS Musculoskeletal Trauma 3

Question 1

Which injury has the highest risk of associated vascular injury requiring evaluation?

Accepted Answer

Posterior knee dislocation

Answer

Posterior knee dislocation carries a 20-40% risk of popliteal artery injury.

Question 2

A patient with left rib fractures 9-12 should be evaluated for injury to which organ?

Accepted Answer

Spleen

Answer

Lower left rib fractures are associated with a 20% incidence of splenic injury.

Question 3

What is the maximum acceptable time from injury to surgery for an open fracture with vascular compromise?

Accepted Answer

6 hours

Answer

Warm ischemia time for an extremity is approximately 6 hours, after which amputation risk rises dramatically.

Question 4

A patient has an unstable pelvis on manual compression. What is the correct immediate action?

Accepted Answer

Apply a pelvic binder and avoid further manipulation

Answer

Once instability is identified, apply a pelvic binder immediately. Never repeat the test.

Question 5

Which finding differentiates vascular injury from neurological injury in a fractured extremity?

Accepted Answer

Absent distal pulses with pale, cool extremity

Answer

Absent pulses with a pale, cool extremity indicates vascular compromise; neurological injury causes sensory/motor deficits without perfusion changes.

ATLS - Advanced Trauma Life Support Practice Test