- | Page
ATLS EXAM QUESTIONS WITH
VERIFIED ANSWERS .PDF
Question : 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
Question : 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.
Question : Pre-existing conditions that affect morbidity
and mortality include:
CORRECT ANSWER : cirrhosis, coagulopathy, COPD,
ischemic heart disease, DM
- | Page
Question : 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.
Question : 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
Question : 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.
- | Page
Question : True or False? Mortality associated with small
to moderate sized burns in older adults remains high
CORRECT ANSWER : True
Question : 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
Question : 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.
Question : 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%
- | Page
Question : 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.
Question : 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
Question : Functional changes in renal system include
loss of renal mass, decreased GFR, and decreased sensitivity to ADH and aldosterone