1 | Page
Prehospital Trauma Life and Support
Questions and Answers Latest Version
Principle Ans: Guiding rule for prehospital care based on
patient needs
basis on which a patients chance of survival is maximised
Preference Ans: How the principle is accomplished in
prehospital care
what does XABCDE stand for Ans: Xsanguination
Airway
Breathing
Circulation
Disability
Expose/environment
Factors that may change the preference Ans: Situation at
scene
Patient severity
Prehospital care provider knowledge and skills
Resources available
© 2025 All rights reserved
, 2 | Page
what does team approach mean in pre hospital trauma
life and support Ans: PHTLS stresses utilizing a team
approach between people with various levels of
knowledge and skills.
why is effective communication important Ans: critical to
ensure quality and timely patient care.
Complete and clear communication between receiving
agencies and prehospital providers will further optimize
care.
Assists with activating needed hospital resources such as
trauma teams and surgical resources
What does MARCH mean (similar to XABCDE) Ans:
Massive bleeding, Airway, Respirations, Circulation, Head
What does CABCDE stand for (also similar to XABCDE)
Ans: Catastrophic hemorrhage control, Airway, Breathing,
Circulation, Disability, Expose/environment
what are the phases of trauma care Ans: pre event, event
phase, post event
what characterises the pre event phase Ans:
Circumstances leading up to injury
Primarily focuses on injury prevention
Maintain your education on the most current evidence-
based medical practices.
© 2025 All rights reserved
, 3 | Page
This includes:
update your medical knowledge much like you update
your handheld devices.
Review new and current equipment on your response unit
at the beginning of your shift and in training.
Discuss individual responsibilities and expectations of
shift and patient care duties.
what characterises the event phase Ans: Moment of
actual trauma
Actions taken during this phase aim to minimize injuries
as a result of trauma.
what are examples of things that play a role in injury
reduction during and event phase Ans: Motor vehicle
safety restraint systems, air bags, and motorcycle
helmets play a role in injury reduction.
what characterises the post event phase Ans: outcome of
a traumatic event
what are the characteristics during the first phase of
death Ans: occurs within first hour after an incident.
Massive hemorrhage could be an example of this, it
occurs for some while waiting for medical care to arrive.
© 2025 All rights reserved
Prehospital Trauma Life and Support
Questions and Answers Latest Version
Principle Ans: Guiding rule for prehospital care based on
patient needs
basis on which a patients chance of survival is maximised
Preference Ans: How the principle is accomplished in
prehospital care
what does XABCDE stand for Ans: Xsanguination
Airway
Breathing
Circulation
Disability
Expose/environment
Factors that may change the preference Ans: Situation at
scene
Patient severity
Prehospital care provider knowledge and skills
Resources available
© 2025 All rights reserved
, 2 | Page
what does team approach mean in pre hospital trauma
life and support Ans: PHTLS stresses utilizing a team
approach between people with various levels of
knowledge and skills.
why is effective communication important Ans: critical to
ensure quality and timely patient care.
Complete and clear communication between receiving
agencies and prehospital providers will further optimize
care.
Assists with activating needed hospital resources such as
trauma teams and surgical resources
What does MARCH mean (similar to XABCDE) Ans:
Massive bleeding, Airway, Respirations, Circulation, Head
What does CABCDE stand for (also similar to XABCDE)
Ans: Catastrophic hemorrhage control, Airway, Breathing,
Circulation, Disability, Expose/environment
what are the phases of trauma care Ans: pre event, event
phase, post event
what characterises the pre event phase Ans:
Circumstances leading up to injury
Primarily focuses on injury prevention
Maintain your education on the most current evidence-
based medical practices.
© 2025 All rights reserved
, 3 | Page
This includes:
update your medical knowledge much like you update
your handheld devices.
Review new and current equipment on your response unit
at the beginning of your shift and in training.
Discuss individual responsibilities and expectations of
shift and patient care duties.
what characterises the event phase Ans: Moment of
actual trauma
Actions taken during this phase aim to minimize injuries
as a result of trauma.
what are examples of things that play a role in injury
reduction during and event phase Ans: Motor vehicle
safety restraint systems, air bags, and motorcycle
helmets play a role in injury reduction.
what characterises the post event phase Ans: outcome of
a traumatic event
what are the characteristics during the first phase of
death Ans: occurs within first hour after an incident.
Massive hemorrhage could be an example of this, it
occurs for some while waiting for medical care to arrive.
© 2025 All rights reserved
