PHTLS Review Exam Questions and
Answers25
How many people die from trauma annually? - ANSWERS-Over 5 million
What is the leading cause of trauma deaths? - ANSWERS-MVA
Where do over 90% of trauma deaths occur? - ANSWERS-Low-Middle income countries.
What is the leading cause of death in people aged 1-44? - ANSWERS-Trauma
What are the goals of PHTLS? - ANSWERS-Reduce morbidity and mortality from trauma, and
provide appropriate care to the patient in the field.
What is the PHTLS philosophy? - ANSWERS-Deliver the patient to the right facility, utilizing the
right mode of transportation, in the right amount of time, as safely as possible.
What are the components of scene assessment? - ANSWERS-Safety, Pre arrival information,
arrival on scene, MOI, and Patients.
What is paramount for scene assessment? - ANSWERS-Personal and Personnel safety.
What is the global view? - ANSWERS-What you get before you get out of your vehicle.
What is the goal of the Primary Survey? - ANSWERS-To immediately identify life threatening
situations and manage them as they are identified.
,What are the components of the primary survey? - ANSWERS-Airway, Breathing, Circulation,
Disability, Exposure
When does assessment of the incident begin? - ANSWERS-Before arriving at the patients side.
The findings of the scene assessment and primary survey help to determine what? - ANSWERS-
If the patient is sick, not yet sick, or not sick
When should the secondary survey be completed? - ANSWERS-Only if time and situation
permit.
What are the components of the secondary survey? - ANSWERS-Vital Signs, History, Physical
Examination, Treatment, Level of Care, Transportation, and Communication.
What are the components of a radio report? - ANSWERS-Timely, Scene Description, Number of
Patients, Current Patient Status, Treatment Provided, ETA
What is a tracheal consideration with pediatric patients in regards to ETT intubation? -
ANSWERS-Potential for right main-stem intubation.
What is the most common cause of airway obstruction in the trauma patient? - ANSWERS-The
tongue.
When are basic maneuvers applied in regards to trauma airway management? - ANSWERS-First
When are advanced airway maneuvers performed for trauma patients? - ANSWERS-After basic,
only if needed.
, What is the goal of managing a patients airway? - ANSWERS-Maintain an open and patent
airway that allows for adequate breathing, ventilation, and oxygenation.
What does airway management entail? - ANSWERS-Anticipating difficulties and planning for
alternate methods of airway control.
What is ALWAYS the FIRST airway maneuver for the trauma patient? - ANSWERS-Trauma Jaw
Thrust/Chin Lift
What should be considered SECOND for maintaining a patent airway in the trauma patient? -
ANSWERS-OPA or NPA
What adjunct should be considered THIRD for airway management in the trauma patient? -
ANSWERS-Supra-Glottic Airways
When should glottic airways be considered? - ANSWERS-After jaw thrusts, OPA/NPA, and Supra
Glottic airways have failed.
What are some assessment criteria for Endotracheal Intubation? - ANSWERS-Decreased LOC
(GCS<8), Inability to maintain patent airway, Upper Airway Burns, Signs of pending airway
obstructions.
Which type of airway management should be considered last? - ANSWERS-Surgical.
What types of methods should be used to verify tube placement? - ANSWERS-One physiological
and one mechanical method.
When the patients breathing draws your attention you should...? - ANSWERS-Assume there is a
problem until proven otherwise.
Answers25
How many people die from trauma annually? - ANSWERS-Over 5 million
What is the leading cause of trauma deaths? - ANSWERS-MVA
Where do over 90% of trauma deaths occur? - ANSWERS-Low-Middle income countries.
What is the leading cause of death in people aged 1-44? - ANSWERS-Trauma
What are the goals of PHTLS? - ANSWERS-Reduce morbidity and mortality from trauma, and
provide appropriate care to the patient in the field.
What is the PHTLS philosophy? - ANSWERS-Deliver the patient to the right facility, utilizing the
right mode of transportation, in the right amount of time, as safely as possible.
What are the components of scene assessment? - ANSWERS-Safety, Pre arrival information,
arrival on scene, MOI, and Patients.
What is paramount for scene assessment? - ANSWERS-Personal and Personnel safety.
What is the global view? - ANSWERS-What you get before you get out of your vehicle.
What is the goal of the Primary Survey? - ANSWERS-To immediately identify life threatening
situations and manage them as they are identified.
,What are the components of the primary survey? - ANSWERS-Airway, Breathing, Circulation,
Disability, Exposure
When does assessment of the incident begin? - ANSWERS-Before arriving at the patients side.
The findings of the scene assessment and primary survey help to determine what? - ANSWERS-
If the patient is sick, not yet sick, or not sick
When should the secondary survey be completed? - ANSWERS-Only if time and situation
permit.
What are the components of the secondary survey? - ANSWERS-Vital Signs, History, Physical
Examination, Treatment, Level of Care, Transportation, and Communication.
What are the components of a radio report? - ANSWERS-Timely, Scene Description, Number of
Patients, Current Patient Status, Treatment Provided, ETA
What is a tracheal consideration with pediatric patients in regards to ETT intubation? -
ANSWERS-Potential for right main-stem intubation.
What is the most common cause of airway obstruction in the trauma patient? - ANSWERS-The
tongue.
When are basic maneuvers applied in regards to trauma airway management? - ANSWERS-First
When are advanced airway maneuvers performed for trauma patients? - ANSWERS-After basic,
only if needed.
, What is the goal of managing a patients airway? - ANSWERS-Maintain an open and patent
airway that allows for adequate breathing, ventilation, and oxygenation.
What does airway management entail? - ANSWERS-Anticipating difficulties and planning for
alternate methods of airway control.
What is ALWAYS the FIRST airway maneuver for the trauma patient? - ANSWERS-Trauma Jaw
Thrust/Chin Lift
What should be considered SECOND for maintaining a patent airway in the trauma patient? -
ANSWERS-OPA or NPA
What adjunct should be considered THIRD for airway management in the trauma patient? -
ANSWERS-Supra-Glottic Airways
When should glottic airways be considered? - ANSWERS-After jaw thrusts, OPA/NPA, and Supra
Glottic airways have failed.
What are some assessment criteria for Endotracheal Intubation? - ANSWERS-Decreased LOC
(GCS<8), Inability to maintain patent airway, Upper Airway Burns, Signs of pending airway
obstructions.
Which type of airway management should be considered last? - ANSWERS-Surgical.
What types of methods should be used to verify tube placement? - ANSWERS-One physiological
and one mechanical method.
When the patients breathing draws your attention you should...? - ANSWERS-Assume there is a
problem until proven otherwise.
