PHTLS PRE AND POST TEST TEST SCRIPT 2026
QUESTIONS WITH FULL ANSWERS GRADED A+
◉ 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. 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
C. Tidal volume 300 mL, ventilatory rate 16/minute
,D. Tidal volume 600 mL, ventilatory rate 12/minute. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. Answer: A. Stab wound to the chest
◉ Which of the following is the preferred site for needle
decompression of a tension pneumothorax?
QUESTIONS WITH FULL ANSWERS GRADED A+
◉ 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. 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
C. Tidal volume 300 mL, ventilatory rate 16/minute
,D. Tidal volume 600 mL, ventilatory rate 12/minute. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. Answer: A. Stab wound to the chest
◉ Which of the following is the preferred site for needle
decompression of a tension pneumothorax?
