PHTLS Pre & Post Test QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS GRADED A
The displacement of tissue away from the path of a projectile, both temporarily and permanently,
is known as:
A. Conization
B. Cavitation
C. Crepitation
D. Contusion Correct Answer: B. Cavitation
The single most important factor in determining the potential for injury due to energy exchange
is:
A. Mass of the bodies involved
B. Velocity of the bodies involved
C. Density of the tissues involved
D. Surface area of the impact involved Correct Answer: B. Velocity of the bodies involved
In the management of shock, isotonic crystalloid solutions, such as Ringer's, are preferred
because:
A. The protein molecules in crystalloid solutions act as volume expanders
B. These fluids draw interstitial fluid into the vascular space to enhance volume
C. These solutions will stay in the vascular space longer than water solutions, such as D5W
D. Their pH enhance oxygen delivery to the tissues Correct Answer: C. These solutions will stay
in the vascular space longer than water solutions, such as D5W
With respect to the distance of a fall, which of the following is a guideline for determining a
critical fall?
A. 3 times the height of the patient
B. 2 times the height of the patient
C. 5 times the height of the patient
D. 1 ½ times the height of the patient Correct Answer: A. 3 times the height of the patient
The phase of an explosion, or blast, in which hollow organs are squeezed and may rupture is
called the __________ phase.
A. Tertiary phase
B. Quaternary phase
C. Secondary phase
D. Primary phase Correct Answer: D. Primary phase
During the primary survey and management of a trauma patient, the E in ABCDE stands for
_________?
, A. Edema
B. Eyes & ears
C. Expose/Environment
D. Electrical therapy Correct Answer: C. Expose/Environment
The time in which surgical intervention can make a difference in patient outcome is the
__________?
A. Golden period
B. Golden time
C. Golden era
D. Golden minutes Correct Answer: A. Golden period (hour)
In the absence of extenuating circumstances, the maximum amount of time it should take to
identify and manage immediate threats to life, prepare the patient for transport and begin
transport is _________?
A. 5 minutes
B. 10 minutes
C. 15 minutes
D. 30 minutes Correct Answer: B. 10 minutes
In which of the following situations is the use of a short spinal immobilization device indicated?
A. 28 year old male, unrestrained driver in a frontal impact crash. Awake, asks repeatedly what
happened, complains of a headache, has a hematoma on his forehead. BP 122/84, HR 92, VR 20.
B. 40 year old female who was pushed down a flight of stairs and is lying prone on the landing
between two flights of stairs, complaining of back pain. BP 118/78, HR 100, VR 20.
C. 17 year old female, restrained driver in a frontal impact crash. Awake, pale and diaphoretic,
complains of upper right quadrant abdominal pain. BP 100/70, HR 108, VR 20. D. None of the
above Correct Answer: D. None of the above
Your patient is a 32 year old man, restrained driver of a vehicle that has been involved in a
frontal impact with a concrete bridge abutment. The patient is awake, but has difficulty
answering questions due to shortness of breath. His ventilatory rate is 30 per minute. Of the
following choices, when is the first time the patient's breath sounds should be checked?
A. As soon as he is removed from the vehicle
B. Prior to being removed from the vehicle
C. As soon as he is immobilized on a long backboard
D. Enroute to the trauma center Correct Answer: B. Prior to being removed from the vehicle
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
The displacement of tissue away from the path of a projectile, both temporarily and permanently,
is known as:
A. Conization
B. Cavitation
C. Crepitation
D. Contusion Correct Answer: B. Cavitation
The single most important factor in determining the potential for injury due to energy exchange
is:
A. Mass of the bodies involved
B. Velocity of the bodies involved
C. Density of the tissues involved
D. Surface area of the impact involved Correct Answer: B. Velocity of the bodies involved
In the management of shock, isotonic crystalloid solutions, such as Ringer's, are preferred
because:
A. The protein molecules in crystalloid solutions act as volume expanders
B. These fluids draw interstitial fluid into the vascular space to enhance volume
C. These solutions will stay in the vascular space longer than water solutions, such as D5W
D. Their pH enhance oxygen delivery to the tissues Correct Answer: C. These solutions will stay
in the vascular space longer than water solutions, such as D5W
With respect to the distance of a fall, which of the following is a guideline for determining a
critical fall?
A. 3 times the height of the patient
B. 2 times the height of the patient
C. 5 times the height of the patient
D. 1 ½ times the height of the patient Correct Answer: A. 3 times the height of the patient
The phase of an explosion, or blast, in which hollow organs are squeezed and may rupture is
called the __________ phase.
A. Tertiary phase
B. Quaternary phase
C. Secondary phase
D. Primary phase Correct Answer: D. Primary phase
During the primary survey and management of a trauma patient, the E in ABCDE stands for
_________?
, A. Edema
B. Eyes & ears
C. Expose/Environment
D. Electrical therapy Correct Answer: C. Expose/Environment
The time in which surgical intervention can make a difference in patient outcome is the
__________?
A. Golden period
B. Golden time
C. Golden era
D. Golden minutes Correct Answer: A. Golden period (hour)
In the absence of extenuating circumstances, the maximum amount of time it should take to
identify and manage immediate threats to life, prepare the patient for transport and begin
transport is _________?
A. 5 minutes
B. 10 minutes
C. 15 minutes
D. 30 minutes Correct Answer: B. 10 minutes
In which of the following situations is the use of a short spinal immobilization device indicated?
A. 28 year old male, unrestrained driver in a frontal impact crash. Awake, asks repeatedly what
happened, complains of a headache, has a hematoma on his forehead. BP 122/84, HR 92, VR 20.
B. 40 year old female who was pushed down a flight of stairs and is lying prone on the landing
between two flights of stairs, complaining of back pain. BP 118/78, HR 100, VR 20.
C. 17 year old female, restrained driver in a frontal impact crash. Awake, pale and diaphoretic,
complains of upper right quadrant abdominal pain. BP 100/70, HR 108, VR 20. D. None of the
above Correct Answer: D. None of the above
Your patient is a 32 year old man, restrained driver of a vehicle that has been involved in a
frontal impact with a concrete bridge abutment. The patient is awake, but has difficulty
answering questions due to shortness of breath. His ventilatory rate is 30 per minute. Of the
following choices, when is the first time the patient's breath sounds should be checked?
A. As soon as he is removed from the vehicle
B. Prior to being removed from the vehicle
C. As soon as he is immobilized on a long backboard
D. Enroute to the trauma center Correct Answer: B. Prior to being removed from the vehicle
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
