PHTLS 10TH EDITION POST TEST EXAM 2026
FULL PREPARATION WITH CORRECT ANSWERS
◉ Epidural Hematoma Signs. Answer: Altered LOC, dilated and
sluggish non reactive pupil on the side of herniation, hemiparesis or
hemiplegia on opposite side of injury.
◉ Subdural Hematoma Answer: Can be chronic or acute. Pt on
coumadin are at high risk of un identified subdural hematomas that
may be chronic. Often may be confused with stroke, infection or
general decline of PT
◉ Cerebral Contusions Answer: actual bleeding into the substance of
the brain, CC's often take 12-24 hrs to appear on CT scans, only
indicator is a depressed GCS of 9-13
◉ Subarachnoid Hemorrhage Answer: rarely causes mass effect and
does not require surgery, it does increase the risk of cerebral
contusion by 63-73%
◉ Normal ventilatory rates
Adults= Answer: 10 BPM
◉ Normal ventilatory rates
,Children= Answer: 20 BPM
◉ Normal ventilatory rates
Infants= Answer: 25BPM
◉ Warning signs of possible ICP Answer: Decline in GCS
sluggish or non reactive pupils
Hemiplegia or hemiparesis
Cushings phenomenon
◉ Osmotherapy Answer: the use of osmotically active agents that
may assist in the treatment of intracranial hypertension`
◉ Number of cervical vertebrae Answer: 7
◉ Number of thoracic vertebrae Answer: 12
◉ Number of lumbar vertebrae Answer: 5
◉ Number of coccygeal vertebrae Answer: 4
,◉ Number of pounds the human head averages Answer: 16-22
pounds
◉ Space between the spinal cord and the spinal canal wall Answer:
3mm
◉ Name of the 1st cervical vertebrae Answer: Atlas
◉ Name of the 2nd cervical vertebrae Answer: Axis
◉ Function of the ascending nervee tracts Answer: Sensory impulses
from body parts through the cord up to the brain
◉ Function of the descending nerve tracts Answer: impulses from
the brain through the cord down to the body
◉ Dorsal root= Answer: sensory
◉ Ventral root= Answer: motor
◉ Dermatome Answer: The sensory area on the body for which a
nerve root is responsible
, ◉ The phrenic nerve originates from Answer: the cervical vertebrae
c2-c5
◉ Skeletal Injuries
Compression Answer: Compression fractures that produce wedge
compression or total flattening of the body of the vertebra
◉ Skeletal Injuries
Fractures Answer: Produce small fragments of bone that may lie in
the spinal canal near the cord
◉ Skeletal Injuries
Sublaxation Answer: a partial dislocation of the vertebra from its
normal alignment in the spinal column
◉ Skeletal Injuries
Overstretching Answer: Tearing of the ligaments and muscles
producing instability between the vertebrae
◉ Skeletal Injuries
Percentage of falls from a height greater than 15 feet involve an
associated lumbar spine fracture Answer: 20%
FULL PREPARATION WITH CORRECT ANSWERS
◉ Epidural Hematoma Signs. Answer: Altered LOC, dilated and
sluggish non reactive pupil on the side of herniation, hemiparesis or
hemiplegia on opposite side of injury.
◉ Subdural Hematoma Answer: Can be chronic or acute. Pt on
coumadin are at high risk of un identified subdural hematomas that
may be chronic. Often may be confused with stroke, infection or
general decline of PT
◉ Cerebral Contusions Answer: actual bleeding into the substance of
the brain, CC's often take 12-24 hrs to appear on CT scans, only
indicator is a depressed GCS of 9-13
◉ Subarachnoid Hemorrhage Answer: rarely causes mass effect and
does not require surgery, it does increase the risk of cerebral
contusion by 63-73%
◉ Normal ventilatory rates
Adults= Answer: 10 BPM
◉ Normal ventilatory rates
,Children= Answer: 20 BPM
◉ Normal ventilatory rates
Infants= Answer: 25BPM
◉ Warning signs of possible ICP Answer: Decline in GCS
sluggish or non reactive pupils
Hemiplegia or hemiparesis
Cushings phenomenon
◉ Osmotherapy Answer: the use of osmotically active agents that
may assist in the treatment of intracranial hypertension`
◉ Number of cervical vertebrae Answer: 7
◉ Number of thoracic vertebrae Answer: 12
◉ Number of lumbar vertebrae Answer: 5
◉ Number of coccygeal vertebrae Answer: 4
,◉ Number of pounds the human head averages Answer: 16-22
pounds
◉ Space between the spinal cord and the spinal canal wall Answer:
3mm
◉ Name of the 1st cervical vertebrae Answer: Atlas
◉ Name of the 2nd cervical vertebrae Answer: Axis
◉ Function of the ascending nervee tracts Answer: Sensory impulses
from body parts through the cord up to the brain
◉ Function of the descending nerve tracts Answer: impulses from
the brain through the cord down to the body
◉ Dorsal root= Answer: sensory
◉ Ventral root= Answer: motor
◉ Dermatome Answer: The sensory area on the body for which a
nerve root is responsible
, ◉ The phrenic nerve originates from Answer: the cervical vertebrae
c2-c5
◉ Skeletal Injuries
Compression Answer: Compression fractures that produce wedge
compression or total flattening of the body of the vertebra
◉ Skeletal Injuries
Fractures Answer: Produce small fragments of bone that may lie in
the spinal canal near the cord
◉ Skeletal Injuries
Sublaxation Answer: a partial dislocation of the vertebra from its
normal alignment in the spinal column
◉ Skeletal Injuries
Overstretching Answer: Tearing of the ligaments and muscles
producing instability between the vertebrae
◉ Skeletal Injuries
Percentage of falls from a height greater than 15 feet involve an
associated lumbar spine fracture Answer: 20%
