PHTLS - Post Test, 8th Edition Exam Questions with Verified
Answers |2026/2027 Update | A+ Graded
What is the most common type of shock resulting from trauma? - Answer -hemorrhagic
What information gathered can best guide the decision to provide spinal immobilization? -
Answer -the (patient's) history and complaints
A 38 year old male sustained a large wound to his right thigh while at work. What action is the
most important initial step? - Answer -hemorrhage control
A patient who sustained extensive blunt trauma to his trunk; has absent lung sounds on the
right, marked respiratory distress, tachy-cardia and hyper-tension. What is the most appropriate
intervention? - Answer -needle decompression (DART)
The pre-hospital assessment of the trauma patient begins when? - Answer -when information is
provided by the dispatcher
E.M.S. responds to a patient involved in a motor vehicle versus car collision. The patient is
unresponsive with vital signs of: BP 82, palpitation; respirations, 24; pulse, 128. What is the
most likely type of shock? - Answer -hypo-volemic
1|Page
, What definition best describes shock? - Answer -a state of inadequate energy production
What is the most common cause of airway obstruction in the unconscious trauma patient? -
Answer -tongue
While caring for a patient who was involved in an altercation, he vomits and his airway is totally
obstructed with vomitus and blood. What is the maximum amount of time that you can suction
his airway? - Answer -suction until his airway is clear
When energy produced by cells occurs during the state of inadequate oxygenation, it is referred
to as what condition? - Answer -anaerobic metabolism
What sign of shock is not found during the primary survey? - Answer -low blood pressure
measurement
E.M.S. responds to a patient who has sustained a blunt injury to the head. She had a period of
unconsciousness followed by a brief period of consciousness and then became unresponsive
just as E.M.S. arrived. Based solely on this information, what is most likely her injury? - Answer -
epidural hema-toma
Inadvertent hyper-ventilation of a patient with suspected traumatic brain injury (TBI) may lead
to which complication? - Answer -cerebral vasoconstriction
2|Page
Answers |2026/2027 Update | A+ Graded
What is the most common type of shock resulting from trauma? - Answer -hemorrhagic
What information gathered can best guide the decision to provide spinal immobilization? -
Answer -the (patient's) history and complaints
A 38 year old male sustained a large wound to his right thigh while at work. What action is the
most important initial step? - Answer -hemorrhage control
A patient who sustained extensive blunt trauma to his trunk; has absent lung sounds on the
right, marked respiratory distress, tachy-cardia and hyper-tension. What is the most appropriate
intervention? - Answer -needle decompression (DART)
The pre-hospital assessment of the trauma patient begins when? - Answer -when information is
provided by the dispatcher
E.M.S. responds to a patient involved in a motor vehicle versus car collision. The patient is
unresponsive with vital signs of: BP 82, palpitation; respirations, 24; pulse, 128. What is the
most likely type of shock? - Answer -hypo-volemic
1|Page
, What definition best describes shock? - Answer -a state of inadequate energy production
What is the most common cause of airway obstruction in the unconscious trauma patient? -
Answer -tongue
While caring for a patient who was involved in an altercation, he vomits and his airway is totally
obstructed with vomitus and blood. What is the maximum amount of time that you can suction
his airway? - Answer -suction until his airway is clear
When energy produced by cells occurs during the state of inadequate oxygenation, it is referred
to as what condition? - Answer -anaerobic metabolism
What sign of shock is not found during the primary survey? - Answer -low blood pressure
measurement
E.M.S. responds to a patient who has sustained a blunt injury to the head. She had a period of
unconsciousness followed by a brief period of consciousness and then became unresponsive
just as E.M.S. arrived. Based solely on this information, what is most likely her injury? - Answer -
epidural hema-toma
Inadvertent hyper-ventilation of a patient with suspected traumatic brain injury (TBI) may lead
to which complication? - Answer -cerebral vasoconstriction
2|Page
