PHTLS PRE-COURSE SELF-ASSESSMENT EXAM: ACTUAL EXAM
PRACTICE QUESTIONS AND 100% VERIFIED CORRECT ANSWERS |
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Core Domains
Scene Safety and Situational Awareness
Kinematics of Trauma and Mechanism of Injury
Primary Survey and Immediate Life-Saving Interventions (ABCDE Approach)
Airway Management and Ventilation Strategies
Hemorrhage Control and Shock Management
Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) and Neurological Assessment
Spinal Motion Restriction and Trauma Immobilization
Thoracic and Abdominal Trauma Management
Musculoskeletal Trauma and Limb Salvage
Special Populations (Pediatric, Geriatric, Pregnant Trauma Patients)
Prehospital Trauma Decision-Making and Transport Prioritization
Trauma Team Communication and Leadership
Ethical and Legal Considerations in Trauma Care
,Introduction
This assessment is designed to rigorously evaluate advanced clinical reasoning in
prehospital trauma life support. It emphasizes synthesis of knowledge, critical analysis, and
high-stakes decision-making in dynamic and unpredictable environments. Each scenario
challenges the candidate to prioritize interventions, interpret evolving patient
presentations, and apply evidence-based practices in real-world trauma situations.
Questions 1–35
1. A 28-year-old male involved in a high-speed collision is found unresponsive with
snoring respirations and facial trauma. What is the most appropriate initial airway
intervention?
A. Insert a nasopharyngeal airway
B. Perform a head-tilt chin-lift
C. Perform a jaw-thrust maneuver with suction
D. Immediately intubate without suction
Correct Answer: Perform a jaw-thrust maneuver with suction
Rationale: The patient likely has airway obstruction due to blood or soft tissue. Jaw-
thrust maintains spinal precautions, while suction clears obstruction. Head-tilt is
contraindicated, NPA may worsen facial trauma, and intubation without clearing airway
risks aspiration.
,2. A patient presents with hypotension, tachycardia, and cool clammy skin after blunt
trauma. What is the most likely cause?
A. Neurogenic shock
B. Cardiogenic shock
C. Hypovolemic shock
D. Septic shock
Correct Answer: Hypovolemic shock
Rationale: Classic signs of hypovolemia include tachycardia and vasoconstriction.
Neurogenic shock presents with bradycardia, cardiogenic shock involves pump failure,
and septic shock is unlikely in acute trauma.
3. A trauma patient has unequal chest rise and absent breath sounds on the left. Blood
pressure is dropping. What is the priority intervention?
A. Needle decompression
B. Oxygen via nasal cannula
C. IV fluid bolus
D. Chest X-ray
Correct Answer: Needle decompression
Rationale: Signs indicate tension pneumothorax, a life-threatening condition requiring
immediate decompression. Oxygen and fluids are supportive but not definitive; imaging
delays care.
4. A conscious trauma patient refuses spinal immobilization. What should you do?
A. Force immobilization
, B. Ignore refusal
C. Assess decision-making capacity
D. Call law enforcement
Correct Answer: Assess decision-making capacity
Rationale: Competent patients have the right to refuse care. Capacity must be assessed.
Forcing care is unethical unless incapacity is established.
5. A patient with severe head trauma presents with bradycardia, hypertension, and
irregular respirations. What does this indicate?
A. Hypovolemic shock
B. Cushing’s triad
C. Neurogenic shock
D. Respiratory failure
Correct Answer: Cushing’s triad
Rationale: This triad indicates increased intracranial pressure. Other options do not
present with this combination.
6. A patient has penetrating abdominal trauma with evisceration. What is the correct
management?
A. Push organs back in
B. Cover with dry dressing
C. Cover with moist sterile dressing
D. Delay treatment until hospital
Correct Answer: Cover with moist sterile dressing
PRACTICE QUESTIONS AND 100% VERIFIED CORRECT ANSWERS |
COMPLETE EXAM PREP TESTBANK | GUARANTEED PASS | INSTANT
DOWNLOAD PDF
Core Domains
Scene Safety and Situational Awareness
Kinematics of Trauma and Mechanism of Injury
Primary Survey and Immediate Life-Saving Interventions (ABCDE Approach)
Airway Management and Ventilation Strategies
Hemorrhage Control and Shock Management
Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) and Neurological Assessment
Spinal Motion Restriction and Trauma Immobilization
Thoracic and Abdominal Trauma Management
Musculoskeletal Trauma and Limb Salvage
Special Populations (Pediatric, Geriatric, Pregnant Trauma Patients)
Prehospital Trauma Decision-Making and Transport Prioritization
Trauma Team Communication and Leadership
Ethical and Legal Considerations in Trauma Care
,Introduction
This assessment is designed to rigorously evaluate advanced clinical reasoning in
prehospital trauma life support. It emphasizes synthesis of knowledge, critical analysis, and
high-stakes decision-making in dynamic and unpredictable environments. Each scenario
challenges the candidate to prioritize interventions, interpret evolving patient
presentations, and apply evidence-based practices in real-world trauma situations.
Questions 1–35
1. A 28-year-old male involved in a high-speed collision is found unresponsive with
snoring respirations and facial trauma. What is the most appropriate initial airway
intervention?
A. Insert a nasopharyngeal airway
B. Perform a head-tilt chin-lift
C. Perform a jaw-thrust maneuver with suction
D. Immediately intubate without suction
Correct Answer: Perform a jaw-thrust maneuver with suction
Rationale: The patient likely has airway obstruction due to blood or soft tissue. Jaw-
thrust maintains spinal precautions, while suction clears obstruction. Head-tilt is
contraindicated, NPA may worsen facial trauma, and intubation without clearing airway
risks aspiration.
,2. A patient presents with hypotension, tachycardia, and cool clammy skin after blunt
trauma. What is the most likely cause?
A. Neurogenic shock
B. Cardiogenic shock
C. Hypovolemic shock
D. Septic shock
Correct Answer: Hypovolemic shock
Rationale: Classic signs of hypovolemia include tachycardia and vasoconstriction.
Neurogenic shock presents with bradycardia, cardiogenic shock involves pump failure,
and septic shock is unlikely in acute trauma.
3. A trauma patient has unequal chest rise and absent breath sounds on the left. Blood
pressure is dropping. What is the priority intervention?
A. Needle decompression
B. Oxygen via nasal cannula
C. IV fluid bolus
D. Chest X-ray
Correct Answer: Needle decompression
Rationale: Signs indicate tension pneumothorax, a life-threatening condition requiring
immediate decompression. Oxygen and fluids are supportive but not definitive; imaging
delays care.
4. A conscious trauma patient refuses spinal immobilization. What should you do?
A. Force immobilization
, B. Ignore refusal
C. Assess decision-making capacity
D. Call law enforcement
Correct Answer: Assess decision-making capacity
Rationale: Competent patients have the right to refuse care. Capacity must be assessed.
Forcing care is unethical unless incapacity is established.
5. A patient with severe head trauma presents with bradycardia, hypertension, and
irregular respirations. What does this indicate?
A. Hypovolemic shock
B. Cushing’s triad
C. Neurogenic shock
D. Respiratory failure
Correct Answer: Cushing’s triad
Rationale: This triad indicates increased intracranial pressure. Other options do not
present with this combination.
6. A patient has penetrating abdominal trauma with evisceration. What is the correct
management?
A. Push organs back in
B. Cover with dry dressing
C. Cover with moist sterile dressing
D. Delay treatment until hospital
Correct Answer: Cover with moist sterile dressing
