ITLS Patient Assessment and Management 2

Question 1

During scene size-up, you notice a car with severe intrusion into the driver's compartment and a spider-web pattern on the windshield. The driver is ambulatory and denies injury. How should this mechanism of injury influence your assessment?

Accepted Answer

High-energy mechanism warrants a full rapid trauma survey regardless of the patient's initial presentation, as occult injuries are likely

Answer

ITLS teaches that significant mechanism of injury (compartment intrusion, windshield impact) mandates a full rapid trauma survey even in patients who initially appear well, as compensated shock and occult injuries frequently present with minimal early symptoms.

Question 2

What is the difference between a rapid trauma survey and a focused assessment in ITLS, and when is each performed?

Accepted Answer

The rapid trauma survey is a systematic head-to-toe evaluation for unstable or significant-mechanism patients; the focused assessment targets specific injury sites in stable patients with isolated mechanisms

Answer

ITLS uses two assessment pathways based on patient stability and mechanism: the rapid trauma survey (complete head-to-toe for unstable/significant mechanism) and the focused assessment (targeted evaluation for stable patients with isolated, minor mechanisms).

Question 3

During the circulation assessment of a primary survey, what four things should be evaluated?

Accepted Answer

Pulse (rate and quality), skin (color, temperature, moisture), capillary refill, and major external hemorrhage control

Answer

The ITLS primary survey circulation assessment includes: pulse rate and quality, skin signs (color, temperature, moisture indicating perfusion), capillary refill time, and control of any major external hemorrhage found.

Question 4

A multi-vehicle accident has 12 patients. As the first arriving unit, what ITLS triage system should you implement?

Accepted Answer

Implement START triage to rapidly categorize patients into immediate, delayed, minor, and expectant/deceased categories

Answer

START (Simple Triage and Rapid Treatment) is the standard mass casualty triage system used in ITLS, allowing rapid categorization of multiple patients based on ability to walk, respiratory status, perfusion, and mental status.

Question 5

What mnemonic does ITLS use for the detailed secondary survey assessment of each body region, and what does each letter stand for?

Accepted Answer

DCAP-BTLS - Deformities, Contusions, Abrasions, Punctures/Penetrations, Burns, Tenderness, Lacerations, Swelling

Answer

DCAP-BTLS is the ITLS mnemonic used during the secondary survey to systematically assess each body region for: Deformities, Contusions, Abrasions, Punctures/Penetrations, Burns, Tenderness, Lacerations, and Swelling.

ITLS - International Trauma Life Support Practice Test

ITLS - International Trauma Life Support Practice Test

ITLS Patient Assessment and Management 2