PHTLS POST TEST QUESTIONS WITH
VERIFIED ANSWERS 2027
1. Which of the following is the most reliable early indicator of shock in the trauma patient?
A. Anxiety and restlessness
B. Drop in systolic blood pressure
C. Weak or absent peripheral pulses
D. Cyanosis of the nail beds
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: Anxiety and restlessness caused by cerebral hypoxia are among
the earliest indicators of shock, occurring before a drop in blood pressure.
2. What is the primary goal of fluid resuscitation in the hypotensive trauma patient with
uncontrolled hemorrhage?
A. Restore normal blood pressure immediately
B. Dilute toxins released by damaged tissues
C. Maintain perfusion to vital organs without dislodging clots
D. Increase urine output to at least 1 mL/kg/hr
,Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: Permissive hypotension aims to maintain critical perfusion
while avoiding the disruption of newly formed clots by aggressive fluid administration.
3. Which of the following findings is most characteristic of a tension pneumothorax?
A. Tracheal deviation toward the affected side
B. Severe respiratory distress and absent breath sounds on the affected side
C. Equal and bilateral breath sounds
D. Hypertension and bradycardia
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: Tension pneumothorax causes severe respiratory distress,
hemodynamic instability, and absent breath sounds on the affected side.
4. When is needle decompression indicated in a trauma patient?
A. Simple pneumothorax with mild dyspnea
B. Hemothorax with massive blood loss
C. Tension pneumothorax causing hemodynamic instability
D. Flail chest with paradoxical movement
Answer: C
, Conceptual Explanation: Needle decompression is an emergency procedure reserved for
tension pneumothorax leading to signs of shock and hemodynamic collapse.
5. What is the preferred initial method for controlling severe external hemorrhage from an
extremity?
A. Direct pressure and elevation
B. Application of a tourniquet
C. Pressure points
D. Hemostatic dressing application
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: Current PHTLS guidelines recommend immediate tourniquet
application for life-threatening extremity hemorrhage.
6. Which assessment finding distinguishes a flail chest from other chest wall injuries?
A. Localized rib tenderness
B. Subcutaneous emphysema
C. Muffled heart tones
D. Paradoxical chest wall movement
Answer: D
VERIFIED ANSWERS 2027
1. Which of the following is the most reliable early indicator of shock in the trauma patient?
A. Anxiety and restlessness
B. Drop in systolic blood pressure
C. Weak or absent peripheral pulses
D. Cyanosis of the nail beds
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: Anxiety and restlessness caused by cerebral hypoxia are among
the earliest indicators of shock, occurring before a drop in blood pressure.
2. What is the primary goal of fluid resuscitation in the hypotensive trauma patient with
uncontrolled hemorrhage?
A. Restore normal blood pressure immediately
B. Dilute toxins released by damaged tissues
C. Maintain perfusion to vital organs without dislodging clots
D. Increase urine output to at least 1 mL/kg/hr
,Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: Permissive hypotension aims to maintain critical perfusion
while avoiding the disruption of newly formed clots by aggressive fluid administration.
3. Which of the following findings is most characteristic of a tension pneumothorax?
A. Tracheal deviation toward the affected side
B. Severe respiratory distress and absent breath sounds on the affected side
C. Equal and bilateral breath sounds
D. Hypertension and bradycardia
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: Tension pneumothorax causes severe respiratory distress,
hemodynamic instability, and absent breath sounds on the affected side.
4. When is needle decompression indicated in a trauma patient?
A. Simple pneumothorax with mild dyspnea
B. Hemothorax with massive blood loss
C. Tension pneumothorax causing hemodynamic instability
D. Flail chest with paradoxical movement
Answer: C
, Conceptual Explanation: Needle decompression is an emergency procedure reserved for
tension pneumothorax leading to signs of shock and hemodynamic collapse.
5. What is the preferred initial method for controlling severe external hemorrhage from an
extremity?
A. Direct pressure and elevation
B. Application of a tourniquet
C. Pressure points
D. Hemostatic dressing application
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: Current PHTLS guidelines recommend immediate tourniquet
application for life-threatening extremity hemorrhage.
6. Which assessment finding distinguishes a flail chest from other chest wall injuries?
A. Localized rib tenderness
B. Subcutaneous emphysema
C. Muffled heart tones
D. Paradoxical chest wall movement
Answer: D
