Practice Test GeeksATLS - Advanced Trauma Life Support Practice Test
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Musculoskeletal Trauma Flashcards

6 cards from real ATLS practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.

Read the first 6 Musculoskeletal Trauma flashcards as text

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

    Answer: Posterior knee dislocation

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

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

    Answer: Spleen

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

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

    Answer: 6 hours

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

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

    Answer: Apply a pelvic binder and avoid further manipulation

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

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

    Answer: Absent distal pulses with pale, cool extremity

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

  6. A crush injury victim trapped for 4 hours. What complication should be anticipated upon extrication?

    Answer: Hyperkalemia from rhabdomyolysis

    Crushed muscle releases potassium, myoglobin, and phosphate upon reperfusion. Hyperkalemia can cause cardiac arrest.