Page 1 of 165
PHTLS 10TH EDITION FINAL EXAM (2026 /
2027) UPDATED QUESTIONS AND VERIFIED
ANSWERS, 100% GUARANTEED PASS
1. What is the cornerstone of PHTLS?
• A) Rapid transport to the nearest hospital
• B) The “platinum 10 minutes” and “golden hour”
• C) Spinal immobilization for all trauma patients
• D) Treating all patients on scene before transport
✅ Answer: B – The “platinum 10 minutes” (on-scene time)
and “golden hour” (time to definitive care) are central PHTLS
concepts emphasizing rapid assessment and transport.
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2. The primary survey follows which mnemonic?
• A) ABCDE
• B) OPQRST
• C) SAMPLE
• D) DCAP-BTLS
✅ Answer: A – Airway with cervical spine protection,
Breathing, Circulation, Disability (neurologic),
Exposure/Environmental control.
3. During the primary survey, you find a patient who is not
breathing. What is your first action?
• A) Apply a cervical collar
• B) Insert an oropharyngeal airway
• C) Open the airway with a jaw thrust
• D) Begin chest compressions
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✅ Answer: C – Jaw thrust without head extension maintains
spinal precautions while opening the airway.
4. A 30-year-old male has a gunshot wound to the chest
with absent breath sounds on the right. What is the most
likely cause?
• A) Cardiac tamponade
• B) Simple pneumothorax
• C) Tension pneumothorax
• D) Hemothorax
✅ Answer: C – Tension pneumothorax presents with absent
breath sounds, hypotension, and distended neck veins (late).
Immediate needle decompression.
5. Which of the following is a sign of inadequate breathing
in a trauma patient?
• A) Respiratory rate of 18
• B) Symmetrical chest rise
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• C) Use of accessory muscles
• D) SpO2 95% on room air
✅ Answer: C – Accessory muscle use indicates increased
work of breathing and impending failure.
6. In circulatory assessment, what is the earliest sign of
compensated shock?
• A) Hypotension
• B) Tachycardia
• C) Cool, clammy skin
• D) Altered mental status
✅ Answer: B – Tachycardia is an early compensatory
mechanism to maintain cardiac output.
7. The “Disability” assessment includes all EXCEPT:
• A) AVPU scale
• B) Pupillary response
PHTLS 10TH EDITION FINAL EXAM (2026 /
2027) UPDATED QUESTIONS AND VERIFIED
ANSWERS, 100% GUARANTEED PASS
1. What is the cornerstone of PHTLS?
• A) Rapid transport to the nearest hospital
• B) The “platinum 10 minutes” and “golden hour”
• C) Spinal immobilization for all trauma patients
• D) Treating all patients on scene before transport
✅ Answer: B – The “platinum 10 minutes” (on-scene time)
and “golden hour” (time to definitive care) are central PHTLS
concepts emphasizing rapid assessment and transport.
,Page 2 of 165
2. The primary survey follows which mnemonic?
• A) ABCDE
• B) OPQRST
• C) SAMPLE
• D) DCAP-BTLS
✅ Answer: A – Airway with cervical spine protection,
Breathing, Circulation, Disability (neurologic),
Exposure/Environmental control.
3. During the primary survey, you find a patient who is not
breathing. What is your first action?
• A) Apply a cervical collar
• B) Insert an oropharyngeal airway
• C) Open the airway with a jaw thrust
• D) Begin chest compressions
,Page 3 of 165
✅ Answer: C – Jaw thrust without head extension maintains
spinal precautions while opening the airway.
4. A 30-year-old male has a gunshot wound to the chest
with absent breath sounds on the right. What is the most
likely cause?
• A) Cardiac tamponade
• B) Simple pneumothorax
• C) Tension pneumothorax
• D) Hemothorax
✅ Answer: C – Tension pneumothorax presents with absent
breath sounds, hypotension, and distended neck veins (late).
Immediate needle decompression.
5. Which of the following is a sign of inadequate breathing
in a trauma patient?
• A) Respiratory rate of 18
• B) Symmetrical chest rise
, Page 4 of 165
• C) Use of accessory muscles
• D) SpO2 95% on room air
✅ Answer: C – Accessory muscle use indicates increased
work of breathing and impending failure.
6. In circulatory assessment, what is the earliest sign of
compensated shock?
• A) Hypotension
• B) Tachycardia
• C) Cool, clammy skin
• D) Altered mental status
✅ Answer: B – Tachycardia is an early compensatory
mechanism to maintain cardiac output.
7. The “Disability” assessment includes all EXCEPT:
• A) AVPU scale
• B) Pupillary response
