Prehospital Trauma Life Support (PHTLS) Exam with Questions and Answers

It covers key domains which include;Trauma Physiology and Kinematics, The Primary Survey and Resuscitation, Shock and Fluid Resuscitation, Head, Spinal, and Thoracic Trauma, Abdominal, Musculoskeletal, and Soft Tissue Trauma, Special Patient Populations and Disaster Management and Triage. During a prolonged extrication in cold weather, a trauma patient becomes increasingly confused and shivering stops. Which physiological consequence is most directly associated with inadequate environmental control during the “E” phase? A. Improved peripheral perfusion due to vasodilation B. Increased coagulation efficiency C. Progression toward the lethal triad of trauma D. Enhanced oxygen delivery to tissues Correct Answer: C Rationale: Hypothermia contributes directly to the lethal triad (hypothermia, acidosis, coagulopathy). Loss of shivering in trauma patients is a dangerous sign of worsening hypothermia and failure of thermoregulation, often leading to impaired clotting and metabolic derangements. A trauma patient requires full body exposure for a secondary survey in a cold prehospital environment. Which strategy best balances diagnostic needs with thermal protection? A. Expose the entire patient and use radiant heat after completion B. Expose one body region at a time, then cover immediately after inspection C. Keep patient fully covered until all interventions are completed D. Focus only on suspected injury sites based on mechanism Correct Answer: B Rationale: The best practice is sequential exposure—examine one region, then re-cover immediately—to minimize heat loss while ensuring no injuries are missed. Full continuous exposure or delayed exposure both increase risk of missed findings or hypothermia.