ITLS - International Trauma Life Support Patient Assessment and Management Questions and Answers

Question 1

During the ITLS Primary Survey of a trauma patient, which of the following is the correct and immediate action for an identified airway obstruction?

Accepted Answer

Immediately intervene to clear the obstruction before proceeding.

Answer

The ITLS Primary Survey protocol dictates that it should only be interrupted for scene safety issues, airway obstruction, or cardiac arrest. A compromised airway is an immediate life threat that must be managed before any other assessment or intervention continues.

Question 2

You are assessing a 34-year-old male who was the unrestrained driver in a high-speed frontal impact collision. He is unconscious, tachycardic, and hypotensive. His trachea is deviated to the left, and he has absent breath sounds on the right side of his chest. Which intervention is the highest priority?

Accepted Answer

Performing needle decompression of the right chest.

Answer

The patient's signs and symptoms—tracheal deviation, absent breath sounds on one side, and hemodynamic instability after thoracic trauma—are classic indicators of a tension pneumothorax. This is an immediate life threat that requires urgent decompression to relieve pressure on the heart and great vessels, thereby restoring circulation.

Question 3

Which of the following is a key component of the ITLS Secondary Survey?

Accepted Answer

Obtaining a SAMPLE history.

Answer

The ITLS Secondary Survey is a more detailed, systematic head-to-toe examination performed after the primary survey and immediate life-saving interventions are complete. A critical part of this survey is gathering a patient history using the AMPLE or SAMPLE mnemonic (Signs/Symptoms, Allergies, Medications, Past medical history, Last oral intake, Events leading to injury).

Question 4

In the assessment of a pediatric trauma patient, which finding should be considered a more significant indicator of shock compared to an adult patient?

Accepted Answer

Tachycardia.

Answer

Children can maintain their blood pressure for a longer period during shock due to a robust compensatory mechanism. Tachycardia is often one of the earliest and most reliable signs of shock in a pediatric patient. Hypotension is a late and ominous sign, indicating decompensated shock.

Question 5

A patient has sustained a penetrating injury to the chest and you have identified an open pneumothorax (sucking chest wound). What is the appropriate initial management for this injury in the field?

Accepted Answer

Apply an occlusive dressing taped on three sides.

Answer

The correct management for an open pneumothorax is to apply an occlusive dressing taped on three sides. This creates a one-way valve effect, allowing air to escape from the pleural space during exhalation but preventing air from entering during inhalation, which helps to prevent the development of a tension pneumothorax.

ITLS - International Trauma Life Support Practice Test

ITLS - International Trauma Life Support Practice Test

ITLS - International Trauma Life Support Patient Assessment and Management Questions and Answers