PHTLS 10th Edition Pre and Post Test Exam Questions and 100%
Correct Answers Latest updates 2026
Which of the following is the preferred prehospital wound management for a patient with a 36%
body surface area flame burn?
A) Cool moist dressings
B) Dry sterile dressings
C) Elastic bandages
D) Topical ointments CORRECT ANSWER: B) Dry sterile dressings
The most immediate life threatening condition resulting from injury to solid abdominal organs is
which of the following?
A) Acute respiratory failure
B) Hemorrhage.
C) Multiple organ failure.
D) Peritonitis CORRECT ANSWER: B) Hemorrhage.
An adult male sustained a deep laceration to his distal thigh. Bright red blood is spurting from the
wound. Direct pressure is not controlling the bleeding. What is the most appropriate next step?
A) Apply a topical hemostatic agent and transport
B) Apply a tourniquet and tighten it until bleeding stops
C) Elevate the leg and apply pressure to the femoral artery
D) Maintain direct pressure and transport immediately CORRECT ANSWER: B) Apply a
tourniquet and tighten it until bleeding stops
An 18-year-old female was struck by a car and has sustained an apparent left femur fracture.
Communication with her is hampered because she only speaks a foreign language. Which
finding, by itself, does not mandate immobilization of the cervical spine?
A) Fracture of the femur
B) Inability to communicate
C) Mechanism of injury
D) Tenderness over the cervical spine CORRECT ANSWER: C) Mechanism of injury
During the primary survey of a trauma patient, you note that the patient is agitated and confused,
and has multiple injuries from an altercation. Which of the following choices is the most
appropriate first treatment priority?
A) Blood glucose determination
B) Correction of possible hypoxia
C) Full immobilization to a backboard
D) Obtain intravenous access CORRECT ANSWER: B) Correction of possible hypoxia
Which of the following represents adequate spontaneous ventilation in an adult?
A. Tidal volume 100 mL, ventilatory rate 40/minute
B. Tidal volume 500 mL, ventilatory rate 8/minute
,C. Tidal volume 300 mL, ventilatory rate 16/minute
D. Tidal volume 600 mL, ventilatory rate 12/minute CORRECT ANSWER: D. Tidal volume
600 mL, ventilatory rate 12/minute
Which of the following is 100% accurate in verifying endotracheal tube placement?
A. Pulse oximetry
B. End-tidal capnometry
C. Syringe aspiration
D. None of the above CORRECT ANSWER: D. None of the above
When utilizing percutaneous transtracheal ventilation, the correct ration of lung inflation to
lung inflation time, in seconds, is:
A. 1:4
B. 1:5
C. 1:2
D. 2:2 CORRECT ANSWER: A. 1:4
Which of the following is a possible complication of using a manually triggered oxygen powered
device for ventilation?
A. Gastric distention
B. Pneumothorax
C. Inability to feel lung compliance
D. All of the above CORRECT ANSWER: D. All of the above
Which of the following procedures is considered an essential airway skill?
A. Needle cricothyroidotomy
B. Endotracheal intubation
C. Insertion of an oropharyngeal airway
D. Retrograde endotracheal intubation CORRECT ANSWER: C. Insertion of an oropharyngeal
airway
, Pericardial tamponade is most likely to occur in which of the following situations?
A. Stab wound to the chest
B. Fall from a height
C. Frontal impact vehicle crash
D. Gunshot wound to the chest CORRECT ANSWER: A. Stab wound to the chest
Which of the following is the preferred site for needle decompression of a tension
pneumothorax?
A. 4th intercostal space, midclavicular line, just over the top of the 5th rib
B. 4th intercostal space, midclavicular line, just below the 4th rib
C. 2nd intercostal space, midclavicular line, just over top of the 3rd rib
D. 2nd intercostal space, midclavicular line, just below the 2nd rib CORRECT ANSWER:
C. 2nd intercostal space, midclavicular line, just over top of the 3rd rib
Which of the following is the mechanism by which pulmonary contusion interferes with
oxygenation?
A. Inability to generate negative intrapleural pressure
B. Decrease in vital capacity due to collapse of the flail segment
C. Increased intrathoracic pressure
D. Blood and fluid in the alveoli and interstitial spaces of the lung CORRECT ANSWER:
D. Blood and fluid in the alveoli and interstitial spaces of the lung
Your patient is a 55 year old male who was struck in the right side of the chest with a piece of
steel pipe. He presents with uncooperative behavior, his skin is pale and moist, the ventilatory
rate is 32, there is a weak radial pulse of 112, and breath sounds are decreased on the right side.
The trachea is midline and jugular veins are flat while the patient is supine. There is isolated
crepitus over the 4th and 5th ribs in the midaxillary line on the patient's right side. Based on the
mechanism of injury and the assessment findings, which of the following is the most likely
cause of the patient's signs and symptoms?
A. Tension pneumothorax
B. Simple pneumothorax
C. Pulmonary contusion
D. Hemothorax CORRECT ANSWER: D. Hemothorax
Deterioration of ventilation and oxygenation after inflation of a PASG in a patient who has
sustained a high-pressure compression injury of the abdomen, such as a sudden deceleration
with the lap belt placed across the abdomen, most likely represents which of the following
injuries?
A. Abdominal aortic aneurysm
B. Ruptured diaphragm
Correct Answers Latest updates 2026
Which of the following is the preferred prehospital wound management for a patient with a 36%
body surface area flame burn?
A) Cool moist dressings
B) Dry sterile dressings
C) Elastic bandages
D) Topical ointments CORRECT ANSWER: B) Dry sterile dressings
The most immediate life threatening condition resulting from injury to solid abdominal organs is
which of the following?
A) Acute respiratory failure
B) Hemorrhage.
C) Multiple organ failure.
D) Peritonitis CORRECT ANSWER: B) Hemorrhage.
An adult male sustained a deep laceration to his distal thigh. Bright red blood is spurting from the
wound. Direct pressure is not controlling the bleeding. What is the most appropriate next step?
A) Apply a topical hemostatic agent and transport
B) Apply a tourniquet and tighten it until bleeding stops
C) Elevate the leg and apply pressure to the femoral artery
D) Maintain direct pressure and transport immediately CORRECT ANSWER: B) Apply a
tourniquet and tighten it until bleeding stops
An 18-year-old female was struck by a car and has sustained an apparent left femur fracture.
Communication with her is hampered because she only speaks a foreign language. Which
finding, by itself, does not mandate immobilization of the cervical spine?
A) Fracture of the femur
B) Inability to communicate
C) Mechanism of injury
D) Tenderness over the cervical spine CORRECT ANSWER: C) Mechanism of injury
During the primary survey of a trauma patient, you note that the patient is agitated and confused,
and has multiple injuries from an altercation. Which of the following choices is the most
appropriate first treatment priority?
A) Blood glucose determination
B) Correction of possible hypoxia
C) Full immobilization to a backboard
D) Obtain intravenous access CORRECT ANSWER: B) Correction of possible hypoxia
Which of the following represents adequate spontaneous ventilation in an adult?
A. Tidal volume 100 mL, ventilatory rate 40/minute
B. Tidal volume 500 mL, ventilatory rate 8/minute
,C. Tidal volume 300 mL, ventilatory rate 16/minute
D. Tidal volume 600 mL, ventilatory rate 12/minute CORRECT ANSWER: D. Tidal volume
600 mL, ventilatory rate 12/minute
Which of the following is 100% accurate in verifying endotracheal tube placement?
A. Pulse oximetry
B. End-tidal capnometry
C. Syringe aspiration
D. None of the above CORRECT ANSWER: D. None of the above
When utilizing percutaneous transtracheal ventilation, the correct ration of lung inflation to
lung inflation time, in seconds, is:
A. 1:4
B. 1:5
C. 1:2
D. 2:2 CORRECT ANSWER: A. 1:4
Which of the following is a possible complication of using a manually triggered oxygen powered
device for ventilation?
A. Gastric distention
B. Pneumothorax
C. Inability to feel lung compliance
D. All of the above CORRECT ANSWER: D. All of the above
Which of the following procedures is considered an essential airway skill?
A. Needle cricothyroidotomy
B. Endotracheal intubation
C. Insertion of an oropharyngeal airway
D. Retrograde endotracheal intubation CORRECT ANSWER: C. Insertion of an oropharyngeal
airway
, Pericardial tamponade is most likely to occur in which of the following situations?
A. Stab wound to the chest
B. Fall from a height
C. Frontal impact vehicle crash
D. Gunshot wound to the chest CORRECT ANSWER: A. Stab wound to the chest
Which of the following is the preferred site for needle decompression of a tension
pneumothorax?
A. 4th intercostal space, midclavicular line, just over the top of the 5th rib
B. 4th intercostal space, midclavicular line, just below the 4th rib
C. 2nd intercostal space, midclavicular line, just over top of the 3rd rib
D. 2nd intercostal space, midclavicular line, just below the 2nd rib CORRECT ANSWER:
C. 2nd intercostal space, midclavicular line, just over top of the 3rd rib
Which of the following is the mechanism by which pulmonary contusion interferes with
oxygenation?
A. Inability to generate negative intrapleural pressure
B. Decrease in vital capacity due to collapse of the flail segment
C. Increased intrathoracic pressure
D. Blood and fluid in the alveoli and interstitial spaces of the lung CORRECT ANSWER:
D. Blood and fluid in the alveoli and interstitial spaces of the lung
Your patient is a 55 year old male who was struck in the right side of the chest with a piece of
steel pipe. He presents with uncooperative behavior, his skin is pale and moist, the ventilatory
rate is 32, there is a weak radial pulse of 112, and breath sounds are decreased on the right side.
The trachea is midline and jugular veins are flat while the patient is supine. There is isolated
crepitus over the 4th and 5th ribs in the midaxillary line on the patient's right side. Based on the
mechanism of injury and the assessment findings, which of the following is the most likely
cause of the patient's signs and symptoms?
A. Tension pneumothorax
B. Simple pneumothorax
C. Pulmonary contusion
D. Hemothorax CORRECT ANSWER: D. Hemothorax
Deterioration of ventilation and oxygenation after inflation of a PASG in a patient who has
sustained a high-pressure compression injury of the abdomen, such as a sudden deceleration
with the lap belt placed across the abdomen, most likely represents which of the following
injuries?
A. Abdominal aortic aneurysm
B. Ruptured diaphragm
