PHTLS PRE & POST TEST QUESTIONS WITH
COMPLETE SOLUTIONS
1) 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
2) A traction splint may be used for which of the following injuries?
A) Knee dislocation
B) Pelvic fractures
C) Femur fractures
D) All of the above -- Correct Answer ✔✔ C. Femur fractures
3) Which of the following descriptions meets the criteria for transport to a facility with
a burn unit?
, A) A 49 year old female with a partial thickness burn from her elbow to her
shoulder
B) A 25 year old male with an electrical burn across his chest
C) A 9 year old make with superficial burns on the backs of both legs
D) A 32 year old female with a partial thickness burn about twice the size of
her hand on her back -- Correct Answer ✔✔ B. A 25 year old male with
an electrical burn across his chest
4) The preferred method of dressing burns in the prehospital setting is:
A) Dry sterile dressing
B) Moist sterile dressing
C) Wet dressings
D) Petroleum gauze -- Correct Answer ✔✔ A. Dry sterile dressing
5) In assessing the hypothermic patient in the prehospital setting, the most reliable
indicator of the severity of hypothermia is:
A) Rectal temperature
B) Oral temperature
C) Heart rate < 60
D) Presence or absence of shivering -- Correct Answer ✔✔ A. Rectal
temperature
6) In the normal child, which general statement is most accurate in comparison with the
adult patient?
A) Blood pressure is higher, hear rate is higher, and ventilatory rate is higher
B) Blood pressure is lower, heart rate is lower, and ventilatory rate is higher
C) Blood pressure is lower, heart rate is higher, and ventilatory rate is higher
, D) Blood pressure is lower, heart rate is higher, and ventilatory rate is lower
-- Correct Answer ✔✔ C. Blood pressure is lower, heart rate is higher,
and ventilatory rate is higher
7) A patient who withdraws from painful stimuli, opens eyes on verbal command, and
cannot speak because of intubation has a Glasgow Coma Scale of which of the
following:
A) 8
B) 8T
C) 7
D) 7T -- Correct Answer ✔✔ B. 8T
(E-3, V-T, M-4)
8) The earliest site for intraosseous infusion is:
A) Anterior tibia, just above the tibial tuberosity
B) Anterior fibula
C) Anterior tibia, just below the tibial tuberosity
D) Posterior fibula -- Correct Answer ✔✔ C. Anterior tibia, just below the
tibial tuberosity
9) Which of the following behaviors is the most reliable indication of confusion in the
elderly trauma patient?
A) Inability to recall his/her name
B) Inability to recall the day of the week
C) Inability to identify his/her present location when out of his/her normal
residence
COMPLETE SOLUTIONS
1) 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
2) A traction splint may be used for which of the following injuries?
A) Knee dislocation
B) Pelvic fractures
C) Femur fractures
D) All of the above -- Correct Answer ✔✔ C. Femur fractures
3) Which of the following descriptions meets the criteria for transport to a facility with
a burn unit?
, A) A 49 year old female with a partial thickness burn from her elbow to her
shoulder
B) A 25 year old male with an electrical burn across his chest
C) A 9 year old make with superficial burns on the backs of both legs
D) A 32 year old female with a partial thickness burn about twice the size of
her hand on her back -- Correct Answer ✔✔ B. A 25 year old male with
an electrical burn across his chest
4) The preferred method of dressing burns in the prehospital setting is:
A) Dry sterile dressing
B) Moist sterile dressing
C) Wet dressings
D) Petroleum gauze -- Correct Answer ✔✔ A. Dry sterile dressing
5) In assessing the hypothermic patient in the prehospital setting, the most reliable
indicator of the severity of hypothermia is:
A) Rectal temperature
B) Oral temperature
C) Heart rate < 60
D) Presence or absence of shivering -- Correct Answer ✔✔ A. Rectal
temperature
6) In the normal child, which general statement is most accurate in comparison with the
adult patient?
A) Blood pressure is higher, hear rate is higher, and ventilatory rate is higher
B) Blood pressure is lower, heart rate is lower, and ventilatory rate is higher
C) Blood pressure is lower, heart rate is higher, and ventilatory rate is higher
, D) Blood pressure is lower, heart rate is higher, and ventilatory rate is lower
-- Correct Answer ✔✔ C. Blood pressure is lower, heart rate is higher,
and ventilatory rate is higher
7) A patient who withdraws from painful stimuli, opens eyes on verbal command, and
cannot speak because of intubation has a Glasgow Coma Scale of which of the
following:
A) 8
B) 8T
C) 7
D) 7T -- Correct Answer ✔✔ B. 8T
(E-3, V-T, M-4)
8) The earliest site for intraosseous infusion is:
A) Anterior tibia, just above the tibial tuberosity
B) Anterior fibula
C) Anterior tibia, just below the tibial tuberosity
D) Posterior fibula -- Correct Answer ✔✔ C. Anterior tibia, just below the
tibial tuberosity
9) Which of the following behaviors is the most reliable indication of confusion in the
elderly trauma patient?
A) Inability to recall his/her name
B) Inability to recall the day of the week
C) Inability to identify his/her present location when out of his/her normal
residence
