PHTLS 10th Edition Exam 2026 – Practice
Questions & Verified Answers (A+ Study
Guide, Latest Updated Edition)
• This practice exam covers the full scope of the PHTLS 10th Edition curriculum,
featuring 200 verified questions designed to mirror the actual exam format and
difficulty level.
• Use this material by attempting each question independently before checking the
highlighted correct answer and EXPERT RATIONALE — this active recall method
maximizes retention and exam readiness.
PHTLS 10th Edition – 200 Practice Questions with Verified Answers
1. What is the primary goal of PHTLS?
A. To train hospital-based trauma surgeons
B. To reduce prehospital trauma deaths through optimal care
C. To replace Advanced Trauma Life Support (ATLS)
D. To focus solely on penetrating trauma management
E. To standardize in-hospital trauma protocols
Correct Answer: B. To reduce prehospital trauma deaths through optimal
care
EXPERT RATIONALE: The primary goal of PHTLS is to reduce morbidity and mortality
from trauma in the prehospital setting by providing evidence-based, systematic care to
trauma patients.
2. Which concept does PHTLS prioritize when managing a trauma patient?
A. Rapid transport regardless of interventions
B. Scene safety and bystander involvement
C. The "Golden Hour" and minimizing time to definitive care
,D. Performing all assessments before transport
E. Administering medications prior to transport
Correct Answer: C. The "Golden Hour" and minimizing time to definitive
care
EXPERT RATIONALE: PHTLS emphasizes the "Golden Hour" concept, which stresses the
importance of rapidly transporting trauma patients to definitive surgical care to improve
survival outcomes.
3. In the PHTLS primary survey, what does "X" stand for in the XABCDE
approach?
A. X-ray assessment
B. Extrication
C. Exsanguinating hemorrhage control
D. Extended airway management
E. External defibrillation
Correct Answer: C. Exsanguinating hemorrhage control
EXPERT RATIONALE: The "X" in the XABCDE approach stands for exsanguinating (life-
threatening) hemorrhage control, which must be addressed before airway, breathing,
and circulation in cases of massive external bleeding.
4. What is the most common cause of preventable death in trauma patients?
A. Airway obstruction
B. Tension pneumothorax
C. Traumatic brain injury
D. Uncontrolled hemorrhage
E. Spinal cord injury
, Correct Answer: D. Uncontrolled hemorrhage
EXPERT RATIONALE: Uncontrolled hemorrhage is the leading cause of preventable
death in trauma. PHTLS emphasizes early hemorrhage control as a top priority in the
primary survey.
5. Which of the following best describes the PHTLS treatment philosophy?
A. Treat everything on scene before transport
B. "Load and go" for all trauma patients
C. Scene time should not exceed 10 minutes for critical patients
D. "Stay and play" approach for penetrating trauma
E. Treat only life threats, then transport rapidly
Correct Answer: E. Treat only life threats, then transport rapidly
EXPERT RATIONALE: PHTLS advocates treating only immediate life threats on scene and
rapidly transporting to definitive care, balancing necessary interventions with
minimizing scene time.
6. What is the first priority when approaching any trauma scene?
A. Patient assessment
B. Airway management
C. Scene safety
D. Hemorrhage control
E. Spinal immobilization
Correct Answer: C. Scene safety
EXPERT RATIONALE: Before any patient contact, providers must ensure the scene is safe
for themselves, bystanders, and the patient. An unsafe scene can result in additional
casualties including the responder.
, 7. A patient is found unresponsive after a motor vehicle collision. The first
step in the primary survey is:
A. Check breathing
B. Control bleeding
C. Assess level of consciousness
D. Open the airway
E. Obtain a SAMPLE history
Correct Answer: D. Open the airway
EXPERT RATIONALE: After hemorrhage control (X), the airway (A) is the next priority in
the XABCDE approach. An unresponsive patient has lost protective airway reflexes and
must have the airway opened immediately.
8. Which method is preferred for opening the airway in a trauma patient with
suspected cervical spine injury?
A. Head-tilt chin-lift
B. Jaw thrust maneuver
C. Nasopharyngeal airway insertion
D. Oropharyngeal airway insertion
E. Cricothyrotomy
Correct Answer: B. Jaw thrust maneuver
EXPERT RATIONALE: The jaw thrust is the recommended technique for trauma patients
with suspected cervical spine injury because it opens the airway without extending the
neck, minimizing the risk of further spinal cord injury.
Questions & Verified Answers (A+ Study
Guide, Latest Updated Edition)
• This practice exam covers the full scope of the PHTLS 10th Edition curriculum,
featuring 200 verified questions designed to mirror the actual exam format and
difficulty level.
• Use this material by attempting each question independently before checking the
highlighted correct answer and EXPERT RATIONALE — this active recall method
maximizes retention and exam readiness.
PHTLS 10th Edition – 200 Practice Questions with Verified Answers
1. What is the primary goal of PHTLS?
A. To train hospital-based trauma surgeons
B. To reduce prehospital trauma deaths through optimal care
C. To replace Advanced Trauma Life Support (ATLS)
D. To focus solely on penetrating trauma management
E. To standardize in-hospital trauma protocols
Correct Answer: B. To reduce prehospital trauma deaths through optimal
care
EXPERT RATIONALE: The primary goal of PHTLS is to reduce morbidity and mortality
from trauma in the prehospital setting by providing evidence-based, systematic care to
trauma patients.
2. Which concept does PHTLS prioritize when managing a trauma patient?
A. Rapid transport regardless of interventions
B. Scene safety and bystander involvement
C. The "Golden Hour" and minimizing time to definitive care
,D. Performing all assessments before transport
E. Administering medications prior to transport
Correct Answer: C. The "Golden Hour" and minimizing time to definitive
care
EXPERT RATIONALE: PHTLS emphasizes the "Golden Hour" concept, which stresses the
importance of rapidly transporting trauma patients to definitive surgical care to improve
survival outcomes.
3. In the PHTLS primary survey, what does "X" stand for in the XABCDE
approach?
A. X-ray assessment
B. Extrication
C. Exsanguinating hemorrhage control
D. Extended airway management
E. External defibrillation
Correct Answer: C. Exsanguinating hemorrhage control
EXPERT RATIONALE: The "X" in the XABCDE approach stands for exsanguinating (life-
threatening) hemorrhage control, which must be addressed before airway, breathing,
and circulation in cases of massive external bleeding.
4. What is the most common cause of preventable death in trauma patients?
A. Airway obstruction
B. Tension pneumothorax
C. Traumatic brain injury
D. Uncontrolled hemorrhage
E. Spinal cord injury
, Correct Answer: D. Uncontrolled hemorrhage
EXPERT RATIONALE: Uncontrolled hemorrhage is the leading cause of preventable
death in trauma. PHTLS emphasizes early hemorrhage control as a top priority in the
primary survey.
5. Which of the following best describes the PHTLS treatment philosophy?
A. Treat everything on scene before transport
B. "Load and go" for all trauma patients
C. Scene time should not exceed 10 minutes for critical patients
D. "Stay and play" approach for penetrating trauma
E. Treat only life threats, then transport rapidly
Correct Answer: E. Treat only life threats, then transport rapidly
EXPERT RATIONALE: PHTLS advocates treating only immediate life threats on scene and
rapidly transporting to definitive care, balancing necessary interventions with
minimizing scene time.
6. What is the first priority when approaching any trauma scene?
A. Patient assessment
B. Airway management
C. Scene safety
D. Hemorrhage control
E. Spinal immobilization
Correct Answer: C. Scene safety
EXPERT RATIONALE: Before any patient contact, providers must ensure the scene is safe
for themselves, bystanders, and the patient. An unsafe scene can result in additional
casualties including the responder.
, 7. A patient is found unresponsive after a motor vehicle collision. The first
step in the primary survey is:
A. Check breathing
B. Control bleeding
C. Assess level of consciousness
D. Open the airway
E. Obtain a SAMPLE history
Correct Answer: D. Open the airway
EXPERT RATIONALE: After hemorrhage control (X), the airway (A) is the next priority in
the XABCDE approach. An unresponsive patient has lost protective airway reflexes and
must have the airway opened immediately.
8. Which method is preferred for opening the airway in a trauma patient with
suspected cervical spine injury?
A. Head-tilt chin-lift
B. Jaw thrust maneuver
C. Nasopharyngeal airway insertion
D. Oropharyngeal airway insertion
E. Cricothyrotomy
Correct Answer: B. Jaw thrust maneuver
EXPERT RATIONALE: The jaw thrust is the recommended technique for trauma patients
with suspected cervical spine injury because it opens the airway without extending the
neck, minimizing the risk of further spinal cord injury.
