PHTLS 10TH EDITION POST TEST
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS 2027
1. What is the primary goal of the pre-hospital trauma life support (PHTLS) philosophy?
A. To treat what is killing the patient first
B. To rapidly transport the patient without any intervention
C. To treat every injury found in the secondary survey
D. To perform advanced airway procedures on all trauma patients
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: The primary philosophy of PHTLS is to treat what is killing the
patient first by identifying and managing life-threatening conditions immediately.
2. Which of the following is the most reliable indicator of shock in the early stages of trauma?
A. Anxiety and altered mental status
B. Decreased blood pressure
C. Weak, thready pulse
D. Cyanosis of the extremities
Answer: A
,Conceptual Explanation: Anxiety and altered mental status are often the earliest
indicators of shock due to decreased cerebral perfusion before blood pressure drops.
3. When managing an adult trauma patient with a suspected tension pneumothorax, the
initial immediate treatment is:
A. Administration of high-flow oxygen via non-rebreather mask
B. Immediate needle decompression of the chest
C. Endotracheal intubation
D. Application of a three-sided occlusive dressing
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: A tension pneumothorax is an immediate life threat that
requires rapid needle decompression to relieve intra-thoracic pressure.
4. What is the primary mechanism of injury for a patient thrown from a vehicle during a
collision?
A. Blast injury
B. Penetrating trauma
C. Blunt trauma with multiple impact points
D. Thermal injury
Answer: C
, Conceptual Explanation: Ejection from a vehicle results in multiple impact points,
significantly increasing the risk of severe blunt and multi-system trauma.
5. During the primary survey, airway patency is assessed first. What is the next immediate
step if the airway is obstructed by blood and vomitus?
A. Suction the airway immediately
B. Insert a nasopharyngeal airway
C. Perform an emergency cricothyroidotomy
D. Administer back blows
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: Suctioning is required immediately to clear blood, vomitus, or
secretions from the airway to ensure adequate ventilation and oxygenation.
6. Which type of shock is most commonly caused by acute blood loss in trauma patients?
A. Cardiogenic shock
B. Neurogenic shock
C. Hypovolemic shock
D. Septic shock
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: Hemorrhagic shock is a form of hypovolemic shock and is the
most common type of shock seen in trauma patients.
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS 2027
1. What is the primary goal of the pre-hospital trauma life support (PHTLS) philosophy?
A. To treat what is killing the patient first
B. To rapidly transport the patient without any intervention
C. To treat every injury found in the secondary survey
D. To perform advanced airway procedures on all trauma patients
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: The primary philosophy of PHTLS is to treat what is killing the
patient first by identifying and managing life-threatening conditions immediately.
2. Which of the following is the most reliable indicator of shock in the early stages of trauma?
A. Anxiety and altered mental status
B. Decreased blood pressure
C. Weak, thready pulse
D. Cyanosis of the extremities
Answer: A
,Conceptual Explanation: Anxiety and altered mental status are often the earliest
indicators of shock due to decreased cerebral perfusion before blood pressure drops.
3. When managing an adult trauma patient with a suspected tension pneumothorax, the
initial immediate treatment is:
A. Administration of high-flow oxygen via non-rebreather mask
B. Immediate needle decompression of the chest
C. Endotracheal intubation
D. Application of a three-sided occlusive dressing
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: A tension pneumothorax is an immediate life threat that
requires rapid needle decompression to relieve intra-thoracic pressure.
4. What is the primary mechanism of injury for a patient thrown from a vehicle during a
collision?
A. Blast injury
B. Penetrating trauma
C. Blunt trauma with multiple impact points
D. Thermal injury
Answer: C
, Conceptual Explanation: Ejection from a vehicle results in multiple impact points,
significantly increasing the risk of severe blunt and multi-system trauma.
5. During the primary survey, airway patency is assessed first. What is the next immediate
step if the airway is obstructed by blood and vomitus?
A. Suction the airway immediately
B. Insert a nasopharyngeal airway
C. Perform an emergency cricothyroidotomy
D. Administer back blows
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: Suctioning is required immediately to clear blood, vomitus, or
secretions from the airway to ensure adequate ventilation and oxygenation.
6. Which type of shock is most commonly caused by acute blood loss in trauma patients?
A. Cardiogenic shock
B. Neurogenic shock
C. Hypovolemic shock
D. Septic shock
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: Hemorrhagic shock is a form of hypovolemic shock and is the
most common type of shock seen in trauma patients.
