ATLS Study Guide 2026

Everything you need to pass the ATLS exam in one place: the exam format, every topic to study, real practice questions with explanations, flashcards, and full-length practice tests. Free, no sign-up needed.

📋 ATLS Exam Format at a Glance

Questions

75 min

Time Limit

75%

Passing Score

Take a Full ATLS Exam Simulation →

📚 ATLS Topics to Study (45)

Practice Test 10th Edition · 12 cards Hemorrhage Control and Damage Control Surgery · 7 cards Hemorrhage Control and Damage Control Surgery · 7 cards Hemorrhage Control and Damage Control Surgery · 7 cards Abdominal and Pelvic Trauma · 6 cards Abdominal and Pelvic Trauma · 6 cards Abdominal and Pelvic Trauma · 6 cards Airway and Ventilatory Management · 6 cards Head Trauma · 6 cards Initial Assessment and Management · 6 cards Musculoskeletal Trauma · 6 cards Shock Assessment and Management · 6 cards Spine and Spinal Cord Trauma · 6 cards Thermal and Electrical Injuries · 6 cards Thoracic Trauma · 6 cards Transfer to Definitive Care · 6 cards Trauma in Special Populations · 6 cards Airway and Ventilatory Management · 6 cards Airway and Ventilatory Management · 6 cards Head Trauma · 6 cards Head Trauma · 6 cards Initial Assessment and Management · 6 cards Initial Assessment and Management · 6 cards Musculoskeletal Trauma · 6 cards Musculoskeletal Trauma · 6 cards Ocular and Facial Trauma · 6 cards Ocular and Facial Trauma · 6 cards Ocular and Facial Trauma · 6 cards Practice Test 10th Edition · 6 cards Practice Test 10th Edition · 6 cards

See all 45 topics as flashcards →

✍️ Sample ATLS Questions & Answers

1. Which medication combination is most commonly used for rapid sequence intubation in the trauma setting?

✓ Etomidate and succinylcholine

Etomidate provides rapid onset sedation with minimal hemodynamic effects, and succinylcholine provides rapid-onset, short-duration paralysis.

2. In massive transfusion protocol, what is the recommended PRBC:FFP:Platelets ratio?

✓ 1:1:1

A balanced 1:1:1 ratio mimics whole blood and prevents dilutional coagulopathy.

3. What point-of-care test does the 10th edition emphasize for guiding resuscitation?

✓ Point-of-care lactate and base deficit

POC lactate and base deficit are objective metabolic markers that guide resuscitation more reliably than vital signs.

4. A blast injury victim presents with tympanic membrane rupture, pulmonary contusions, and bowel injury. Which mechanism causes bowel injury in blast victims?

✓ Primary blast injury — overpressure wave disrupting air-fluid interfaces in hollow viscera

Primary blast injury results from the high-pressure shock wave acting on air-filled organs (lungs, bowel, middle ear) at tissue-air interfaces, causing barotrauma.

5. A 25-year-old with a left chest stab wound develops PEA in the trauma bay. What is the most appropriate intervention?

✓ Emergency department thoracotomy

PEA from penetrating thoracic trauma is an indication for ED thoracotomy.

6. Which finding on examination of an eye injury warrants immediate ophthalmology consultation for possible open globe?

✓ Teardrop-shaped pupil

A teardrop-shaped or peaked pupil suggests iris prolapse through a scleral or corneal laceration, indicating an open globe injury.

🎯 Free ATLS Practice Tests

Practice Test 10th Edition · 12 questions Hemorrhage Control and Damage Control Surgery · 7 questions Hemorrhage Control and Damage Control Surgery · 7 questions Hemorrhage Control and Damage Control Surgery · 7 questions Head Trauma · 6 questions Initial Assessment and Management · 6 questions Airway and Ventilatory Management · 6 questions Shock Assessment and Management · 6 questions Head Trauma · 6 questions Musculoskeletal Trauma · 6 questions

📖 ATLS Guides & Articles

Your ATLS Study Path

1. Learn with Flashcards → 2. Drill Practice Tests → 3. Take the Full Exam Simulation

🃏 Flashcards (279)🏆 Exam Simulation