ATLS TEST ACTUAL EXAM QUESTIONS WITH
CORRECT ANSWERS LATEST UPDATE 2023 /2024.
A+ GUARANTEED
True or false? Although the mechanism of injury may be similar to those for the
younger population, data shows increased mortality with similar severity of injury
in older adults. - correct answer True
In the elderly population, what is decreased physiological reserve? - correct
answer aging is characterized by impaired adaptive and homeostatic
mechanisms that caused an increased susceptibility to the stress of injury.
Insults tolerated by the younger population can lead to devastating results in
elderly patients.
Pre-existing conditions that affect morbidity and mortality include: - correct
answer cirrhosis, coagulopathy, COPD, ischemic heart disease, DM
What is the most common mechanism of injury in the elderly? - correct answer
Fall. Nonfatal falls are common in women and fractures are common in women
who fall. Falls are the most common cause of TBI.
In the elderly population, what are risk factors for falls? - correct answer
advanced age, physical impairment, history of previous fall, medication use,
dementia, unsteady gait, and visual, cognitive impairment
Most of elderly traffic fatalities occur in the daytime and on weekends and
typically involve other vehicles. Why? - correct answer Older people drive on
more familiar roads and at lower speeds and tend to drive during the day. Older
people have slower reaction time, a larger blind spot, limited cervical mobility,
decreased hearing, and cognitive impairment.
,True or False? Mortality associated with small to moderate sized burns in older
adults remains high - correct answer True
Spilled hot liquids on the leg, which in younger patients may re-epithelialize due
to an adequate number of hair follicles, will result in a full thickness burn in older
patients. - correct answer this is true
Airway-patients may have dentures that may loosen or obstruct the airway. If
dentures are not obstructing the airway, leave them in place for what? - correct
answer bag mask ventilation, as it improves mask fitting.
When preforming rapid sequence intubation, the dose of benzos, barbiturates,
and other sedatives should be reduced to what percentage to minimize the risk of
cardiovascular depression? - correct answer 20-40%
Functional changes in cardiac system include declining function, decreased
sensitivity to catecholamines, atherosclerosis of coronary vessels, increased
afterload, fixed heart rate (beta blockers) - correct answer this results in lack of
classic response to hypovolemia, risk for cardiac ischemia, elevated BP at
baseline, and increased risk of dysrythmias.
Functional changes in pulmonary system include decreased elastic recoil,
reduced residual capacity, decreased gas exchange and decreased cough reflex -
correct answer thus they are at increased risk for respiratory failure, increased
risk for pneumonia, and poor tolerance to rib fractures
Functional changes in renal system include loss of renal mass, decreased GFR,
and decreased sensitivity to ADH and aldosterone - correct answer resulting in
drug dosing for renal insufficiency, decreased ability to concentrate urine,
increased risk for AKI and urine flow may be normal with hypovolemia
,Functional changes to MSK include loss of lean body mass, osteoporosis,
changes in joints and cartilage, c spine degenerative changes and loss of skin
elastin and subcutaneous fat - correct answer resulting in increased risk for
fractures, decreased mobility, difficulty for oral intubation, risk of skin injury,
increased risk for hypothermia, challenges in rehabiliation
Functional changes in Endocrine system include decreased production and
response to thyroxin and decreased dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) - correct
answer resulting in occult hypothyroidism, relative hypercortisone states and
increased risk of infection
True or false: Arthritis can complicate the airway and cervical spine. Patients can
have multilevel degenerative changes affecting disk spaces and posterior
elements associated with severe central canal stenosis, cord compression, and
myelomalacia - correct answer true
In elderly population, due to their changes in pulmonary system, placing a gauze
between gums and cheek to achieve seal when using bag valve mask ventilation
is okay. In addition, because aging causes a suppressed heart rate response to
hypoxia...... - correct answer respiratory failure may present insidiously in older
adults.
Age related changes in the cardiovascular system place the elderly trauma
patient at significant risk for being inaccurately categorized as hemodynamically
stable. - correct answer Elderly patients have a fixed heart rate and fixed cardiac
output, thus, their response to hypovolemia will involve increasing their systemic
vascular resistance. Furthermore, since older patients have HTN, an acceptable
BP may truly reflect a hypotensive state. A systolic BP of 110 is to be utilized as
the threshold for identifying hypotension in patients 65 and older.
, Do no equate blood pressure with shock in older patients - correct answer BP in
older patients may look normal due to the medications they are on. Use lactate
and base deficit to evaluate for evidence of shock
what 2 factors place elderly patients at risk for intracranial hemorrhage? - correct
answer aging causes dura to become more adherent to the skull increasing risk
of injury and older patients are on anticoagulant and antiplatelet medications.
Loss of subcutaneous fat, nutritional deficiencies, chronic medical conditions
place elderly patients as risk for hypothermia and complications for immobility. -
correct answer Rapid evaluation and when possible early liberation from spine
boards and cervical collars will minimize complications.
True or False: Fall prevention is the mainstay of reducing the mortality associated
with pelvic fractures. - correct answer true
poor hygiene, dehydration, oral injury, contusions affecting the inner arms, inner
thighs, palms, soles, scalp, ear, nasal bridge and temple injury from being struck
while wearing glasses, contact burns and scalds. These are all signs of.......? -
correct answer Elder maltreatment. The presence of physical findings of
maltreatment should prompt a detailed history. if history conflicts with findings,
immediately report findings to authorities.
True of false: early activation of the trauma team may be required for elderly
patients who do not meet traditional criteria for activation - correct answer True.
A simple injury such as an open tibia fracture in a frail elderly patient may
become life threatening.
Common mechanisms of injury include falls, MVC, burns, and penetrating injuries
- correct answer common injuries in the elderly include rib fractures, TBI, pelvic
fractures