PHTLS - Post Test, 8th Edition | Questions
And Answers | 2026 Update
/. Care of the trauma patient in the field is an evolving science and should be evidence-
based. As lifelong learners, we must be prepared to adapt our practices based on
research. This is because research may lead to, what? - Answer-✅changes in our
current practices (p.11)
/.In trauma care, a 'principle' is defined as, what? - Answer-✅what needs to be done
(p.34)
/.In addition to oxygen, what is required to maintain the metabolic processes of life and
energy production? - Answer-✅glucose
/.You respond for a patient who has sustained a GSW to the right upper thorax. He is
barely responsive, pale, and diaphoretic. What device is most appropriate for transport?
- Answer-✅scoop stretcher
/.Units responding to a motor vehicle accident on the highway should consider what, as
part of their pre-arrival assessment? - Answer-✅weather conditions
/.The most appropriate airway maneuver for trauma patients is what technique? -
Answer-✅jaw thrust maneuver
/.Endo-tracheal in-tubation is a technique that requires, what? - Answer-✅substantial
training, to maintain proficiency
/.What indicates that a trauma patient is having trouble breathing? - Answer-✅the
patient's breathing is noticeable
/.A patient presents with, a blunt trauma injury to the chest. On exam, he has absent
breath sounds on one side of his chest and respiratory distress. Which additional sign
would indicate that the patient has a tension pneumo-thorax? - Answer-✅hemo-
dynamic compromise (proper blood flow is being prevented)
/.In addition to direct pressure, tourniquets, and immobilizing fractures, what is
considered most effective when controlling hemorrhage? - Answer-✅hemo-static
agents
/.What is a preventable cause of secondary brain injury? - Answer-✅systemic hypoxia
, /.You're called to treat a patient who was knocked unconscious when he slipped and fell
on a wet floor striking his head. It is now several hours later and he is awake but
confused, does not recall the incident, and is vomiting with a headache. What injury is
he most likely to have suffered? - Answer-✅concussion
/.What findings would indicate the need for immobilization when using a selective spinal
immobilization protocol? - Answer-✅pain or tenderness along the spine
/.What patient should be treated first in a blast-related situation involving multiple
patients? - Answer-✅a 30-year-old female with altered level of consciousness and
decreased capillary refill
/.Excessive fluid resuscitation of the trauma patient can result in, what? - Answer-
✅increased blood loss
/.When should the secondary survey be accomplished? - Answer-✅when the time and
situation allow (p.146)
/.When approaching a trauma patient, what is the first assessment that must be made?
- Answer-✅scene safety
/.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
/.What definition best describes shock? - Answer-✅a state of inadequate energy
production
And Answers | 2026 Update
/. Care of the trauma patient in the field is an evolving science and should be evidence-
based. As lifelong learners, we must be prepared to adapt our practices based on
research. This is because research may lead to, what? - Answer-✅changes in our
current practices (p.11)
/.In trauma care, a 'principle' is defined as, what? - Answer-✅what needs to be done
(p.34)
/.In addition to oxygen, what is required to maintain the metabolic processes of life and
energy production? - Answer-✅glucose
/.You respond for a patient who has sustained a GSW to the right upper thorax. He is
barely responsive, pale, and diaphoretic. What device is most appropriate for transport?
- Answer-✅scoop stretcher
/.Units responding to a motor vehicle accident on the highway should consider what, as
part of their pre-arrival assessment? - Answer-✅weather conditions
/.The most appropriate airway maneuver for trauma patients is what technique? -
Answer-✅jaw thrust maneuver
/.Endo-tracheal in-tubation is a technique that requires, what? - Answer-✅substantial
training, to maintain proficiency
/.What indicates that a trauma patient is having trouble breathing? - Answer-✅the
patient's breathing is noticeable
/.A patient presents with, a blunt trauma injury to the chest. On exam, he has absent
breath sounds on one side of his chest and respiratory distress. Which additional sign
would indicate that the patient has a tension pneumo-thorax? - Answer-✅hemo-
dynamic compromise (proper blood flow is being prevented)
/.In addition to direct pressure, tourniquets, and immobilizing fractures, what is
considered most effective when controlling hemorrhage? - Answer-✅hemo-static
agents
/.What is a preventable cause of secondary brain injury? - Answer-✅systemic hypoxia
, /.You're called to treat a patient who was knocked unconscious when he slipped and fell
on a wet floor striking his head. It is now several hours later and he is awake but
confused, does not recall the incident, and is vomiting with a headache. What injury is
he most likely to have suffered? - Answer-✅concussion
/.What findings would indicate the need for immobilization when using a selective spinal
immobilization protocol? - Answer-✅pain or tenderness along the spine
/.What patient should be treated first in a blast-related situation involving multiple
patients? - Answer-✅a 30-year-old female with altered level of consciousness and
decreased capillary refill
/.Excessive fluid resuscitation of the trauma patient can result in, what? - Answer-
✅increased blood loss
/.When should the secondary survey be accomplished? - Answer-✅when the time and
situation allow (p.146)
/.When approaching a trauma patient, what is the first assessment that must be made?
- Answer-✅scene safety
/.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
/.What definition best describes shock? - Answer-✅a state of inadequate energy
production
