PHTLS 10th Practice Exam Question and
Answers with Rationales Latest Version Top
Rated A+
question includes the correct answer and detailed rationale.
Question 1
A 28-year-old motorcyclist is found lying on the roadway after colliding with a guardrail. He is
conscious but confused. What should be the EMS provider's highest priority?
A. Apply a cervical collar immediately
B. Perform a rapid trauma assessment
C. Ensure airway patency while protecting the cervical spine
D. Control bleeding from abrasions
Correct Answer: C
Rationale
According to PHTLS, airway management always takes precedence. Because the patient has an
altered mental status and a mechanism suggesting cervical spine injury, airway management
should occur while maintaining manual cervical spine stabilization.
• A is incorrect because airway assessment precedes collar application.
• B is important but follows stabilization of life threats.
• D addresses a less urgent injury.
Question 2
A trauma patient is speaking clearly and in complete sentences. Which finding is most strongly
supported?
A. Adequate ventilation
B. Adequate oxygenation
,C. Patent airway
D. Normal circulation
Correct Answer: C
Rationale
The ability to speak normally demonstrates that the airway is open.
Speaking does not guarantee:
• adequate ventilation,
• adequate oxygenation,
• or normal circulation.
Further assessment remains necessary.
Question 3
Which trauma patient should receive immediate transport to a trauma center?
A. Isolated wrist fracture
B. Stable ankle dislocation
C. Hypotension after blunt abdominal trauma
D. Minor scalp laceration
Correct Answer: C
Rationale
Hypotension following blunt abdominal trauma strongly suggests internal hemorrhage, a life-
threatening condition requiring rapid transport to a trauma center capable of surgical
intervention.
Question 4
A trauma patient has absent breath sounds on the left side, severe respiratory distress,
hypotension, and distended neck veins.
,What condition is MOST likely?
A. Cardiac tamponade
B. Massive hemothorax
C. Simple pneumothorax
D. Tension pneumothorax
Correct Answer: D
Rationale
Classic signs include:
• Severe respiratory distress
• Unilateral absent breath sounds
• Hypotension
• Jugular venous distention
• Obstructive shock
Immediate chest decompression is indicated.
Question 5
The primary cause of preventable death after traumatic injury is:
A. Infection
B. Multiple fractures
C. Uncontrolled hemorrhage
D. Brain edema
Correct Answer: C
Rationale
Uncontrolled hemorrhage remains the leading preventable cause of trauma death.
Early bleeding control includes:
, • Direct pressure
• Tourniquets
• Hemostatic dressings
• Rapid transport
Question 6
Which patient demonstrates signs of compensated shock?
A. BP 72/40, weak pulses
B. BP 88/50 with altered mental status
C. HR 124, cool skin, normal blood pressure
D. HR 48 with hypertension
Correct Answer: C
Rationale
Compensated shock is characterized by:
• Tachycardia
• Cool, clammy skin
• Delayed capillary refill
• Anxiety
• Normal blood pressure
Hypotension usually develops later.
Question 7
Which intervention should be performed FIRST for severe extremity hemorrhage?
A. Pressure dressing
B. Tourniquet proximal to the wound
C. Splinting
D. Elevate the extremity
Answers with Rationales Latest Version Top
Rated A+
question includes the correct answer and detailed rationale.
Question 1
A 28-year-old motorcyclist is found lying on the roadway after colliding with a guardrail. He is
conscious but confused. What should be the EMS provider's highest priority?
A. Apply a cervical collar immediately
B. Perform a rapid trauma assessment
C. Ensure airway patency while protecting the cervical spine
D. Control bleeding from abrasions
Correct Answer: C
Rationale
According to PHTLS, airway management always takes precedence. Because the patient has an
altered mental status and a mechanism suggesting cervical spine injury, airway management
should occur while maintaining manual cervical spine stabilization.
• A is incorrect because airway assessment precedes collar application.
• B is important but follows stabilization of life threats.
• D addresses a less urgent injury.
Question 2
A trauma patient is speaking clearly and in complete sentences. Which finding is most strongly
supported?
A. Adequate ventilation
B. Adequate oxygenation
,C. Patent airway
D. Normal circulation
Correct Answer: C
Rationale
The ability to speak normally demonstrates that the airway is open.
Speaking does not guarantee:
• adequate ventilation,
• adequate oxygenation,
• or normal circulation.
Further assessment remains necessary.
Question 3
Which trauma patient should receive immediate transport to a trauma center?
A. Isolated wrist fracture
B. Stable ankle dislocation
C. Hypotension after blunt abdominal trauma
D. Minor scalp laceration
Correct Answer: C
Rationale
Hypotension following blunt abdominal trauma strongly suggests internal hemorrhage, a life-
threatening condition requiring rapid transport to a trauma center capable of surgical
intervention.
Question 4
A trauma patient has absent breath sounds on the left side, severe respiratory distress,
hypotension, and distended neck veins.
,What condition is MOST likely?
A. Cardiac tamponade
B. Massive hemothorax
C. Simple pneumothorax
D. Tension pneumothorax
Correct Answer: D
Rationale
Classic signs include:
• Severe respiratory distress
• Unilateral absent breath sounds
• Hypotension
• Jugular venous distention
• Obstructive shock
Immediate chest decompression is indicated.
Question 5
The primary cause of preventable death after traumatic injury is:
A. Infection
B. Multiple fractures
C. Uncontrolled hemorrhage
D. Brain edema
Correct Answer: C
Rationale
Uncontrolled hemorrhage remains the leading preventable cause of trauma death.
Early bleeding control includes:
, • Direct pressure
• Tourniquets
• Hemostatic dressings
• Rapid transport
Question 6
Which patient demonstrates signs of compensated shock?
A. BP 72/40, weak pulses
B. BP 88/50 with altered mental status
C. HR 124, cool skin, normal blood pressure
D. HR 48 with hypertension
Correct Answer: C
Rationale
Compensated shock is characterized by:
• Tachycardia
• Cool, clammy skin
• Delayed capillary refill
• Anxiety
• Normal blood pressure
Hypotension usually develops later.
Question 7
Which intervention should be performed FIRST for severe extremity hemorrhage?
A. Pressure dressing
B. Tourniquet proximal to the wound
C. Splinting
D. Elevate the extremity
