Practice Test: PHTLS Exam Questions
and Answers
The displacement of tissue away from the path of a projectile, both temporarily and
permanently, is known as:
A. Conization
B. Cavitation
C. Crepitation
D. Contusion - ANS-B. Cavitation
The single most important factor in determining the potential for injury due to energy
exchange is:
A. Mass of the bodies involved
B. Velocity of the bodies involved
C. Density of the tissues involved
D. Surface area of the impact involved - ANS-B. Velocity of the bodies involved
In the management of shock, isotonic crystalloid solutions, such as Ringer's, are
preferred because:
A. The protein molecules in crystalloid solutions act as volume expanders
B. These fluids draw interstitial fluid into the vascular space to enhance volume
C. These solutions will stay in the vascular space longer than water solutions, such as
D5W
D. Their pH enhance oxygen delivery to the tissues - ANS-C. These solutions will stay
in the vascular space longer than water solutions, such as D5W
With respect to the distance of a fall, which of the following is a guideline for determining
a critical fall?
A. 3 times the height of the patient
B. 2 times the height of the patient
C. 5 times the height of the patient
D. 1 ½ times the height of the patient - ANS-A. 3 times the height of the patient
The phase of an explosion, or blast, in which hollow organs are squeezed and may
rupture is called the __________ phase.
A. Tertiary phase
, B. Quaternary phase
C. Secondary phase
D. Primary phase - ANS-D. Primary phase
During the primary survey and management of a trauma patient, the E in ABCDE
stands for _________?
A. Edema
B. Eyes & ears
C. Expose/Environment
D. Electrical therapy - ANS-C. Expose/Environment
The time in which surgical intervention can make a difference in patient outcome is the
__________?
A. Golden period
B. Golden time
C. Golden era
D. Golden minutes - ANS-A. Golden period (hour)
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 - ANS-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 - ANS-A. Stab wound to the chest
Which of the following is the preferred site for needle decompression of a tension
pneumothorax?
A. 4th intercostal space, midclavicular line, just over the top of the 5th rib
B. 4th intercostal space, midclavicular line, just below the 4th rib
C. 2nd intercostal space, midclavicular line, just over top of the 3rd rib
D. 2nd intercostal space, midclavicular line, just below the 2nd rib - ANS-C. 2nd
intercostal space, midclavicular line, just over top of the 3rd rib
Which of the following is the mechanism by which pulmonary contusion interferes with
oxygenation?
and Answers
The displacement of tissue away from the path of a projectile, both temporarily and
permanently, is known as:
A. Conization
B. Cavitation
C. Crepitation
D. Contusion - ANS-B. Cavitation
The single most important factor in determining the potential for injury due to energy
exchange is:
A. Mass of the bodies involved
B. Velocity of the bodies involved
C. Density of the tissues involved
D. Surface area of the impact involved - ANS-B. Velocity of the bodies involved
In the management of shock, isotonic crystalloid solutions, such as Ringer's, are
preferred because:
A. The protein molecules in crystalloid solutions act as volume expanders
B. These fluids draw interstitial fluid into the vascular space to enhance volume
C. These solutions will stay in the vascular space longer than water solutions, such as
D5W
D. Their pH enhance oxygen delivery to the tissues - ANS-C. These solutions will stay
in the vascular space longer than water solutions, such as D5W
With respect to the distance of a fall, which of the following is a guideline for determining
a critical fall?
A. 3 times the height of the patient
B. 2 times the height of the patient
C. 5 times the height of the patient
D. 1 ½ times the height of the patient - ANS-A. 3 times the height of the patient
The phase of an explosion, or blast, in which hollow organs are squeezed and may
rupture is called the __________ phase.
A. Tertiary phase
, B. Quaternary phase
C. Secondary phase
D. Primary phase - ANS-D. Primary phase
During the primary survey and management of a trauma patient, the E in ABCDE
stands for _________?
A. Edema
B. Eyes & ears
C. Expose/Environment
D. Electrical therapy - ANS-C. Expose/Environment
The time in which surgical intervention can make a difference in patient outcome is the
__________?
A. Golden period
B. Golden time
C. Golden era
D. Golden minutes - ANS-A. Golden period (hour)
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 - ANS-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 - ANS-A. Stab wound to the chest
Which of the following is the preferred site for needle decompression of a tension
pneumothorax?
A. 4th intercostal space, midclavicular line, just over the top of the 5th rib
B. 4th intercostal space, midclavicular line, just below the 4th rib
C. 2nd intercostal space, midclavicular line, just over top of the 3rd rib
D. 2nd intercostal space, midclavicular line, just below the 2nd rib - ANS-C. 2nd
intercostal space, midclavicular line, just over top of the 3rd rib
Which of the following is the mechanism by which pulmonary contusion interferes with
oxygenation?
