PHTLS Pre & Post Test + ATLS Mock Exam 2026 | Trusted
Questions & Answers
1. In a scenario where a patient is trapped in a vehicle after a collision and
exhibits signs of respiratory distress, what should be your immediate action
regarding breath sounds?
Wait until the patient is out of the vehicle to check breath sounds.
Check breath sounds while the patient is being transported.
Check breath sounds before attempting to extricate the patient.
Only check breath sounds if the patient is unconscious.
2. What condition can classify a patient as a critical trauma patient?
Preexisting major medical problem
An extremity fracture
Bleeding from the nose
Deployment of air bags in a motor vehicle crash
3. Describe the criteria that would indicate the need for spinal immobilization in
trauma patients.
Spinal immobilization is required for all trauma patients regardless of
symptoms.
Spinal immobilization is only needed for patients with visible spinal
deformities.
Spinal immobilization is only necessary if the patient is unconscious.
Spinal immobilization is indicated when there is a mechanism of
injury that suggests potential spinal injury, such as falls or high-
, impact collisions, along with symptoms like back pain or altered
mental status.
4. Which of the following is a possible complication of using a manually
triggered oxygen powered device for ventilation?
Gastric distention
Pneumothorax
Inability to feel lung compliance
All of the above
5. In a scenario where a patient exhibits anxiety and tachycardia after a
traumatic injury, what should be the immediate course of action in trauma
care?
Monitor the patient for psychological issues only.
Focus solely on airway management without considering shock.
Assess for signs of hypovolemic shock and initiate fluid
resuscitation.
Administer pain relief before assessing vital signs.
6. What type of injury is indicated by deterioration of ventilation and
oxygenation after inflation of a PASG in a patient with a high-pressure
compression injury to the abdomen?
Ruptured diaphragm
Ruptured esophagus
Paper bag syndrome of the lungs
Abdominal aortic aneurysm
,7. Which component is included in the Fick Principle related to oxygen
transport?
Oxygenation of red blood cells
Transportation of red blood cells to the tissues of the body
Off-loading oxygen from the red blood cells to the tissues
Adequate number of platelets in the blood
8. When utilizing percutaneous transtracheal ventilation, the correct ration of
lung inflation to lung inflation time, in seconds, is:
1:4
1:5
2:2
1:2
9. What is the correct anatomical location for performing needle
decompression in cases of tension pneumothorax?
5th intercostal space, midclavicular line, just over the top of the 6th rib
4th intercostal space, midclavicular line, just below the 4th rib
2nd intercostal space, midclavicular line, just over top of the 3rd rib
3rd intercostal space, midclavicular line, just over top of the 2nd rib
10. 179: What is the recommended fluid of choice for large volume resuscitation
in cases of hemorrhagic shock, such as trauma patients or GI bleeding (as
long as there is NO head injury)?
Normal saline (0.9% NS)
D5 Water
, Whole blood
Lactated Ringer's (LR)
11. Describe the significance of recognizing anxiety as an early sign of
hypovolemic shock in trauma care.
Anxiety is a sign of psychological distress unrelated to hypovolemic
shock.
Recognizing anxiety as an early sign of hypovolemic shock is
crucial because it indicates the body's response to decreased
blood volume and potential organ perfusion issues.
Anxiety is often overlooked in trauma care, making it less significant
than other signs.
Anxiety is a psychological response that does not correlate with
physical trauma.
12. What is the type of motor vehicle collision associated with the highest risk of
injury?
Down and under
Up and over
Lateral compression
Ejection from vehicle
13. What is the most likely cause of a patient's signs and symptoms if
hemothorax is indicated?
Pulmonary contusion
Hemothorax
Tension pneumothorax
Questions & Answers
1. In a scenario where a patient is trapped in a vehicle after a collision and
exhibits signs of respiratory distress, what should be your immediate action
regarding breath sounds?
Wait until the patient is out of the vehicle to check breath sounds.
Check breath sounds while the patient is being transported.
Check breath sounds before attempting to extricate the patient.
Only check breath sounds if the patient is unconscious.
2. What condition can classify a patient as a critical trauma patient?
Preexisting major medical problem
An extremity fracture
Bleeding from the nose
Deployment of air bags in a motor vehicle crash
3. Describe the criteria that would indicate the need for spinal immobilization in
trauma patients.
Spinal immobilization is required for all trauma patients regardless of
symptoms.
Spinal immobilization is only needed for patients with visible spinal
deformities.
Spinal immobilization is only necessary if the patient is unconscious.
Spinal immobilization is indicated when there is a mechanism of
injury that suggests potential spinal injury, such as falls or high-
, impact collisions, along with symptoms like back pain or altered
mental status.
4. Which of the following is a possible complication of using a manually
triggered oxygen powered device for ventilation?
Gastric distention
Pneumothorax
Inability to feel lung compliance
All of the above
5. In a scenario where a patient exhibits anxiety and tachycardia after a
traumatic injury, what should be the immediate course of action in trauma
care?
Monitor the patient for psychological issues only.
Focus solely on airway management without considering shock.
Assess for signs of hypovolemic shock and initiate fluid
resuscitation.
Administer pain relief before assessing vital signs.
6. What type of injury is indicated by deterioration of ventilation and
oxygenation after inflation of a PASG in a patient with a high-pressure
compression injury to the abdomen?
Ruptured diaphragm
Ruptured esophagus
Paper bag syndrome of the lungs
Abdominal aortic aneurysm
,7. Which component is included in the Fick Principle related to oxygen
transport?
Oxygenation of red blood cells
Transportation of red blood cells to the tissues of the body
Off-loading oxygen from the red blood cells to the tissues
Adequate number of platelets in the blood
8. When utilizing percutaneous transtracheal ventilation, the correct ration of
lung inflation to lung inflation time, in seconds, is:
1:4
1:5
2:2
1:2
9. What is the correct anatomical location for performing needle
decompression in cases of tension pneumothorax?
5th intercostal space, midclavicular line, just over the top of the 6th rib
4th intercostal space, midclavicular line, just below the 4th rib
2nd intercostal space, midclavicular line, just over top of the 3rd rib
3rd intercostal space, midclavicular line, just over top of the 2nd rib
10. 179: What is the recommended fluid of choice for large volume resuscitation
in cases of hemorrhagic shock, such as trauma patients or GI bleeding (as
long as there is NO head injury)?
Normal saline (0.9% NS)
D5 Water
, Whole blood
Lactated Ringer's (LR)
11. Describe the significance of recognizing anxiety as an early sign of
hypovolemic shock in trauma care.
Anxiety is a sign of psychological distress unrelated to hypovolemic
shock.
Recognizing anxiety as an early sign of hypovolemic shock is
crucial because it indicates the body's response to decreased
blood volume and potential organ perfusion issues.
Anxiety is often overlooked in trauma care, making it less significant
than other signs.
Anxiety is a psychological response that does not correlate with
physical trauma.
12. What is the type of motor vehicle collision associated with the highest risk of
injury?
Down and under
Up and over
Lateral compression
Ejection from vehicle
13. What is the most likely cause of a patient's signs and symptoms if
hemothorax is indicated?
Pulmonary contusion
Hemothorax
Tension pneumothorax
