PHTLS (Prehospital Trauma Life Support) Exam
Comprehensive Questions and Verified Answers
Detailed & Elaborated Top Rated
PHTLS (Prehospital Trauma Life Support) exams, including the pre-test
and post-test (often for editions like 9th or 10th), assess knowledge of
trauma care principles such as scene safety, XABCDE assessment, shock
management, airway control, and critical thinking in prehospital
settings.
1. The single most important factor in determining the potential for
injury due to energy exchange is:
A. Mass of the bodies involved
B. Velocity of the bodies involved
C. Density of the tissues involved
D. Surface area of the impact involved
Answer>>B Velocity of the bodies involved
(Kinetic energy is most influenced by velocity, as per the kinetic
energy formula: KE = ½mv².)
2. The displacement of tissue away from the path of a projectile, both
temporarily and permanently, is known as:
, A. Conization
B. Cavitation
C. Crepitation
D. Contusion
Answer>>B Cavitation
3. In the management of shock, isotonic crystalloid solutions, such as
Ringer's, are preferred because:
A. The protein molecules in crystalloid solutions act as volume
expanders
B. These fluids draw interstitial fluid into the vascular space to
enhance volume
C. These solutions will stay in the vascular space longer than water
solutions, such as D5W
D. Their pH enhances oxygen delivery to the tissues
Answer>>B These fluids draw interstitial fluid into the vascular space to
enhance volume
4. Shock is best defined as:
A. Decreased Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS)
, B. Flushed, dry, hot skin combined with bradycardia
C. Generalized inadequate tissue perfusion
D. Low blood pressure combined with tachycardia
Answer>>C Generalized inadequate tissue perfusion
5. Which of the following requires you to develop a plan of action,
initiate the plan, reassess the plan as care for the patient moves
forward, and adjust the plan as the patient's condition or circumstances
change?
A. Principles of PHTLS
B. The Golden Period
C. The XABCDE assessment
D. Critical thinking process
Answer>>DCritical thinking process
6. The phase of an explosion, or blast, in which hollow organs are
squeezed and may rupture is called the __________ phase.
A. Tertiary phase
B. Quaternary phase
C. Secondary phase
, D. Primary phase
Answer>>DPrimary phase (pressure wave)
7. In the absence of extenuating circumstances, the maximum amount
of time it should take to identify and manage immediate threats to life,
prepare the patient for transport, and begin transport is:
A. 5 minutes
B. 10 minutes
C. 15 minutes
D. 20 minutes
Answer>>B 10 minutes (the "platinum 10 minutes" concept in PHTLS)
8. A 27-year-old female has multi-system trauma. Which life threat is
your first priority?
A. Airway obstruction
B. Significant external hemorrhage
C. Tension pneumothorax
D. Hypovolemic shock
Comprehensive Questions and Verified Answers
Detailed & Elaborated Top Rated
PHTLS (Prehospital Trauma Life Support) exams, including the pre-test
and post-test (often for editions like 9th or 10th), assess knowledge of
trauma care principles such as scene safety, XABCDE assessment, shock
management, airway control, and critical thinking in prehospital
settings.
1. The single most important factor in determining the potential for
injury due to energy exchange is:
A. Mass of the bodies involved
B. Velocity of the bodies involved
C. Density of the tissues involved
D. Surface area of the impact involved
Answer>>B Velocity of the bodies involved
(Kinetic energy is most influenced by velocity, as per the kinetic
energy formula: KE = ½mv².)
2. The displacement of tissue away from the path of a projectile, both
temporarily and permanently, is known as:
, A. Conization
B. Cavitation
C. Crepitation
D. Contusion
Answer>>B Cavitation
3. In the management of shock, isotonic crystalloid solutions, such as
Ringer's, are preferred because:
A. The protein molecules in crystalloid solutions act as volume
expanders
B. These fluids draw interstitial fluid into the vascular space to
enhance volume
C. These solutions will stay in the vascular space longer than water
solutions, such as D5W
D. Their pH enhances oxygen delivery to the tissues
Answer>>B These fluids draw interstitial fluid into the vascular space to
enhance volume
4. Shock is best defined as:
A. Decreased Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS)
, B. Flushed, dry, hot skin combined with bradycardia
C. Generalized inadequate tissue perfusion
D. Low blood pressure combined with tachycardia
Answer>>C Generalized inadequate tissue perfusion
5. Which of the following requires you to develop a plan of action,
initiate the plan, reassess the plan as care for the patient moves
forward, and adjust the plan as the patient's condition or circumstances
change?
A. Principles of PHTLS
B. The Golden Period
C. The XABCDE assessment
D. Critical thinking process
Answer>>DCritical thinking process
6. The phase of an explosion, or blast, in which hollow organs are
squeezed and may rupture is called the __________ phase.
A. Tertiary phase
B. Quaternary phase
C. Secondary phase
, D. Primary phase
Answer>>DPrimary phase (pressure wave)
7. In the absence of extenuating circumstances, the maximum amount
of time it should take to identify and manage immediate threats to life,
prepare the patient for transport, and begin transport is:
A. 5 minutes
B. 10 minutes
C. 15 minutes
D. 20 minutes
Answer>>B 10 minutes (the "platinum 10 minutes" concept in PHTLS)
8. A 27-year-old female has multi-system trauma. Which life threat is
your first priority?
A. Airway obstruction
B. Significant external hemorrhage
C. Tension pneumothorax
D. Hypovolemic shock
