Combat Lifesaver Course (CLS) Written
Exam Practice Questions And Correct
Answers (Verified Answers) Plus
Rationales 2026 Q&A | Instant
Download Pdf
1. What is the first priority when assessing a combat casualty under fire?
A. Start an IV line
B. Apply a cervical collar
C. Return fire and move to cover
D. Check for fractures
C. Return fire and move to cover
The highest priority in Care Under Fire is to maintain tactical safety
by suppressing enemy fire and moving to cover before initiating
medical interventions.
2. The primary cause of preventable death on the battlefield is:
A. Airway obstruction
B. Extremity hemorrhage
C. Hypothermia
D. Infection
B. Extremity hemorrhage
Uncontrolled bleeding from extremities is the leading preventable
cause of death in combat casualties.
3. The preferred initial method for controlling severe limb bleeding is:
A. Pressure dressing
B. Tourniquet
C. Ice application
D. Splinting
, B. Tourniquet
Tourniquets provide rapid and effective control of life-threatening
extremity hemorrhage.
4. A correctly applied tourniquet should:
A. Be placed over a joint
B. Be loosened every 5 minutes
C. Stop all distal pulses
D. Be applied only after elevation fails
C. Stop all distal pulses
Effective tourniquet application eliminates distal pulse and controls
arterial bleeding.
5. The maximum recommended time for tourniquet use without
reassessment is:
A. 30 minutes
B. 2 hours
C. 6 hours
D. 10 minutes
B. 2 hours
Tourniquets should be reassessed as soon as tactically feasible,
ideally within 2 hours to reduce complications.
6. Hemostatic dressings are primarily used to:
A. Treat burns
B. Control internal bleeding
C. Control junctional bleeding
D. Treat fractures
C. Control junctional bleeding
Hemostatic agents are useful for bleeding in areas where tourniquets
cannot be applied effectively.
7. Shock in a trauma patient is most commonly caused by:
A. Hypoglycemia
B. Blood loss
C. Infection only
D. Dehydration only
B. Blood loss
, Hemorrhagic shock is the most common cause of shock in combat
trauma.
8. Early signs of shock include:
A. Hypertension
B. Bradycardia
C. Tachycardia and anxiety
D. Flushed skin
C. Tachycardia and anxiety
Compensatory responses to blood loss include increased heart rate
and anxiety.
9. The most reliable indicator of severe blood loss is:
A. Blood pressure
B. Mental status change
C. Skin color
D. Temperature
B. Mental status change
Altered mental status is a key early indicator of inadequate
perfusion.
10. The best position for a conscious casualty in shock is:
A. Sitting upright
B. Trendelenburg position
C. Supine with legs elevated if no contraindication
D. Prone position
C. Supine with legs elevated if no contraindication
This position improves venous return and perfusion in shock patients.
11. Airway obstruction in a conscious casualty is most commonly
treated with:
A. Endotracheal intubation
B. Jaw thrust maneuver
C. Needle decompression
D. Heimlich maneuver only
B. Jaw thrust maneuver
The jaw thrust helps open the airway without compromising cervical
spine stability.
Exam Practice Questions And Correct
Answers (Verified Answers) Plus
Rationales 2026 Q&A | Instant
Download Pdf
1. What is the first priority when assessing a combat casualty under fire?
A. Start an IV line
B. Apply a cervical collar
C. Return fire and move to cover
D. Check for fractures
C. Return fire and move to cover
The highest priority in Care Under Fire is to maintain tactical safety
by suppressing enemy fire and moving to cover before initiating
medical interventions.
2. The primary cause of preventable death on the battlefield is:
A. Airway obstruction
B. Extremity hemorrhage
C. Hypothermia
D. Infection
B. Extremity hemorrhage
Uncontrolled bleeding from extremities is the leading preventable
cause of death in combat casualties.
3. The preferred initial method for controlling severe limb bleeding is:
A. Pressure dressing
B. Tourniquet
C. Ice application
D. Splinting
, B. Tourniquet
Tourniquets provide rapid and effective control of life-threatening
extremity hemorrhage.
4. A correctly applied tourniquet should:
A. Be placed over a joint
B. Be loosened every 5 minutes
C. Stop all distal pulses
D. Be applied only after elevation fails
C. Stop all distal pulses
Effective tourniquet application eliminates distal pulse and controls
arterial bleeding.
5. The maximum recommended time for tourniquet use without
reassessment is:
A. 30 minutes
B. 2 hours
C. 6 hours
D. 10 minutes
B. 2 hours
Tourniquets should be reassessed as soon as tactically feasible,
ideally within 2 hours to reduce complications.
6. Hemostatic dressings are primarily used to:
A. Treat burns
B. Control internal bleeding
C. Control junctional bleeding
D. Treat fractures
C. Control junctional bleeding
Hemostatic agents are useful for bleeding in areas where tourniquets
cannot be applied effectively.
7. Shock in a trauma patient is most commonly caused by:
A. Hypoglycemia
B. Blood loss
C. Infection only
D. Dehydration only
B. Blood loss
, Hemorrhagic shock is the most common cause of shock in combat
trauma.
8. Early signs of shock include:
A. Hypertension
B. Bradycardia
C. Tachycardia and anxiety
D. Flushed skin
C. Tachycardia and anxiety
Compensatory responses to blood loss include increased heart rate
and anxiety.
9. The most reliable indicator of severe blood loss is:
A. Blood pressure
B. Mental status change
C. Skin color
D. Temperature
B. Mental status change
Altered mental status is a key early indicator of inadequate
perfusion.
10. The best position for a conscious casualty in shock is:
A. Sitting upright
B. Trendelenburg position
C. Supine with legs elevated if no contraindication
D. Prone position
C. Supine with legs elevated if no contraindication
This position improves venous return and perfusion in shock patients.
11. Airway obstruction in a conscious casualty is most commonly
treated with:
A. Endotracheal intubation
B. Jaw thrust maneuver
C. Needle decompression
D. Heimlich maneuver only
B. Jaw thrust maneuver
The jaw thrust helps open the airway without compromising cervical
spine stability.
