PHTLS POST-TEST CERTIFICATION EXAM REVIEW
2026/2027 50 Questions & Answers | NAEMT 10th
Edition-Based | 100 % Pass Graded A+
SECTION 1: Trauma Assessment & Scene Management (10 Qs)
Q1: You are first on scene at a two-vehicle collision. The scene is secure. Your first
priority after confirming scene safety is to:
A. Begin primary survey on the closest patient.
B. Request additional resources (fire, additional EMS).
C. Perform a 360-degree walk-around to identify mechanism and number of patients.
D. Start cervical spine stabilization on all patients.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: PHTLS 10th Ed. – Scene Size-up: 360° sweep identifies hazards, patient
count, mechanism. Occurs before primary survey or resource request.
Common Error: Jumping to patient care (A) risks missed patients/hazards.
Q2: At a mass-casualty incident with 12 patients, you use START triage. A patient is
found with respirations of 8/min. Your immediate action is to:
A. Begin bag-valve-mask ventilation.
B. Open the airway (jaw thrust) and reassess.
,C. Tag as Immediate (Red).
D. Tag as Expectant (Black).
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: START Algorithm – one life-saving intervention allowed: open airway; if
respirations remain <10 after intervention → tag Red and move.
Key Point: Do not spend time on BVM during triage.
Q3: A construction worker falls 6 m. He is alert, oriented, and ambulatory. Using START,
the correct tag is:
A. Green (Minor)
B. Yellow (Delayed)
C. Red (Immediate)
D. Black (Expectant)
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Ambulatory = Green regardless of mechanism; reassess later.
Pitfall: Over-triage due to high mechanism.
Q4: During primary survey, you note snoring respirations and altered mental status. The
first airway maneuver is:
A. Insert oropharyngeal airway.
B. Head-tilt chin-lift (if no spinal concern) or jaw-thrust.
, C. Suction the oropharynx.
D. Insert nasopharyngeal airway.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: XABCDE – relieve airway obstruction before adjuncts.
Spinal Precaution: Jaw-thrust if MOI suggests spine injury.
Q5: A patient has a Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) of 13 (E3 V4 M6). The most appropriate
transport decision is:
A. Load and go; rapid transport to trauma center.
B. Continue full secondary survey on scene.
C. Request helicopter for 10-minute ground distance.
D. Transport to nearest community hospital.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: GCS ≤13 meets Step-1 CDC field triage → trauma center.
Principle: Minimize on-scene time for altered mental status.
Q6: Which finding best indicates the need for spinal motion restriction in a 6-foot-fall
patient?
A. Midline cervical tenderness
B. Intoxicated but no neuro deficit
2026/2027 50 Questions & Answers | NAEMT 10th
Edition-Based | 100 % Pass Graded A+
SECTION 1: Trauma Assessment & Scene Management (10 Qs)
Q1: You are first on scene at a two-vehicle collision. The scene is secure. Your first
priority after confirming scene safety is to:
A. Begin primary survey on the closest patient.
B. Request additional resources (fire, additional EMS).
C. Perform a 360-degree walk-around to identify mechanism and number of patients.
D. Start cervical spine stabilization on all patients.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: PHTLS 10th Ed. – Scene Size-up: 360° sweep identifies hazards, patient
count, mechanism. Occurs before primary survey or resource request.
Common Error: Jumping to patient care (A) risks missed patients/hazards.
Q2: At a mass-casualty incident with 12 patients, you use START triage. A patient is
found with respirations of 8/min. Your immediate action is to:
A. Begin bag-valve-mask ventilation.
B. Open the airway (jaw thrust) and reassess.
,C. Tag as Immediate (Red).
D. Tag as Expectant (Black).
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: START Algorithm – one life-saving intervention allowed: open airway; if
respirations remain <10 after intervention → tag Red and move.
Key Point: Do not spend time on BVM during triage.
Q3: A construction worker falls 6 m. He is alert, oriented, and ambulatory. Using START,
the correct tag is:
A. Green (Minor)
B. Yellow (Delayed)
C. Red (Immediate)
D. Black (Expectant)
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Ambulatory = Green regardless of mechanism; reassess later.
Pitfall: Over-triage due to high mechanism.
Q4: During primary survey, you note snoring respirations and altered mental status. The
first airway maneuver is:
A. Insert oropharyngeal airway.
B. Head-tilt chin-lift (if no spinal concern) or jaw-thrust.
, C. Suction the oropharynx.
D. Insert nasopharyngeal airway.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: XABCDE – relieve airway obstruction before adjuncts.
Spinal Precaution: Jaw-thrust if MOI suggests spine injury.
Q5: A patient has a Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) of 13 (E3 V4 M6). The most appropriate
transport decision is:
A. Load and go; rapid transport to trauma center.
B. Continue full secondary survey on scene.
C. Request helicopter for 10-minute ground distance.
D. Transport to nearest community hospital.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: GCS ≤13 meets Step-1 CDC field triage → trauma center.
Principle: Minimize on-scene time for altered mental status.
Q6: Which finding best indicates the need for spinal motion restriction in a 6-foot-fall
patient?
A. Midline cervical tenderness
B. Intoxicated but no neuro deficit
