PHTLS REVIEW EXAM QUESTIONS
AND ANSWERS 2025
,How many people die from trauma annually? - ANSWERSOver 5 million
What is the leading cause of trauma deaths? - ANSWERSMVA
Where do over 90% of trauma deaths occur? - ANSWERSLow-Middle income
countries.
What is the leading cause of death in people aged 1-44? - ANSWERSTrauma
What are the goals of PHTLS? - ANSWERSReduce morbidity and mortality from
trauma, and provide appropriate care to the patient in the field.
What is the PHTLS philosophy? - ANSWERSDeliver the patient to the right facility,
utilizing the right mode of transportation, in the right amount of time, as safely as
possible.
What are the components of scene assessment? - ANSWERSSafety, Pre arrival
information, arrival on scene, MOI, and Patients.
What is paramount for scene assessment? - ANSWERSPersonal and Personnel safety.
What is the global view? - ANSWERSWhat you get before you get out of your vehicle.
What is the goal of the Primary Survey? - ANSWERSTo immediately identify life
threatening situations and manage them as they are identified.
What are the components of the primary survey? - ANSWERSAirway, Breathing,
Circulation, Disability, Exposure
When does assessment of the incident begin? - ANSWERSBefore arriving at the
patients side.
The findings of the scene assessment and primary survey help to determine what? -
ANSWERSIf the patient is sick, not yet sick, or not sick
When should the secondary survey be completed? - ANSWERSOnly if time and
situation permit.
What are the components of the secondary survey? - ANSWERSVital Signs, History,
Physical Examination, Treatment, Level of Care, Transportation, and Communication.
, What are the components of a radio report? - ANSWERSTimely, Scene Description,
Number of Patients, Current Patient Status, Treatment Provided, ETA
What is a tracheal consideration with pediatric patients in regards to ETT intubation? -
ANSWERSPotential for right main-stem intubation.
What is the most common cause of airway obstruction in the trauma patient? -
ANSWERSThe tongue.
When are basic maneuvers applied in regards to trauma airway management? -
ANSWERSFirst
When are advanced airway maneuvers performed for trauma patients? -
ANSWERSAfter basic, only if needed.
What is the goal of managing a patients airway? - ANSWERSMaintain an open and
patent airway that allows for adequate breathing, ventilation, and oxygenation.
What does airway management entail? - ANSWERSAnticipating difficulties and
planning for alternate methods of airway control.
What is ALWAYS the FIRST airway maneuver for the trauma patient? -
ANSWERSTrauma Jaw Thrust/Chin Lift
What should be considered SECOND for maintaining a patent airway in the trauma
patient? - ANSWERSOPA or NPA
What adjunct should be considered THIRD for airway management in the trauma
patient? - ANSWERSSupra-Glottic Airways
When should glottic airways be considered? - ANSWERSAfter jaw thrusts, OPA/NPA,
and Supra Glottic airways have failed.
What are some assessment criteria for Endotracheal Intubation? -
ANSWERSDecreased LOC (GCS<8), Inability to maintain patent airway, Upper Airway
Burns, Signs of pending airway obstructions.
Which type of airway management should be considered last? - ANSWERSSurgical.
What types of methods should be used to verify tube placement? - ANSWERSOne
physiological and one mechanical method.
When the patients breathing draws your attention you should...? - ANSWERSAssume
there is a problem until proven otherwise.
AND ANSWERS 2025
,How many people die from trauma annually? - ANSWERSOver 5 million
What is the leading cause of trauma deaths? - ANSWERSMVA
Where do over 90% of trauma deaths occur? - ANSWERSLow-Middle income
countries.
What is the leading cause of death in people aged 1-44? - ANSWERSTrauma
What are the goals of PHTLS? - ANSWERSReduce morbidity and mortality from
trauma, and provide appropriate care to the patient in the field.
What is the PHTLS philosophy? - ANSWERSDeliver the patient to the right facility,
utilizing the right mode of transportation, in the right amount of time, as safely as
possible.
What are the components of scene assessment? - ANSWERSSafety, Pre arrival
information, arrival on scene, MOI, and Patients.
What is paramount for scene assessment? - ANSWERSPersonal and Personnel safety.
What is the global view? - ANSWERSWhat you get before you get out of your vehicle.
What is the goal of the Primary Survey? - ANSWERSTo immediately identify life
threatening situations and manage them as they are identified.
What are the components of the primary survey? - ANSWERSAirway, Breathing,
Circulation, Disability, Exposure
When does assessment of the incident begin? - ANSWERSBefore arriving at the
patients side.
The findings of the scene assessment and primary survey help to determine what? -
ANSWERSIf the patient is sick, not yet sick, or not sick
When should the secondary survey be completed? - ANSWERSOnly if time and
situation permit.
What are the components of the secondary survey? - ANSWERSVital Signs, History,
Physical Examination, Treatment, Level of Care, Transportation, and Communication.
, What are the components of a radio report? - ANSWERSTimely, Scene Description,
Number of Patients, Current Patient Status, Treatment Provided, ETA
What is a tracheal consideration with pediatric patients in regards to ETT intubation? -
ANSWERSPotential for right main-stem intubation.
What is the most common cause of airway obstruction in the trauma patient? -
ANSWERSThe tongue.
When are basic maneuvers applied in regards to trauma airway management? -
ANSWERSFirst
When are advanced airway maneuvers performed for trauma patients? -
ANSWERSAfter basic, only if needed.
What is the goal of managing a patients airway? - ANSWERSMaintain an open and
patent airway that allows for adequate breathing, ventilation, and oxygenation.
What does airway management entail? - ANSWERSAnticipating difficulties and
planning for alternate methods of airway control.
What is ALWAYS the FIRST airway maneuver for the trauma patient? -
ANSWERSTrauma Jaw Thrust/Chin Lift
What should be considered SECOND for maintaining a patent airway in the trauma
patient? - ANSWERSOPA or NPA
What adjunct should be considered THIRD for airway management in the trauma
patient? - ANSWERSSupra-Glottic Airways
When should glottic airways be considered? - ANSWERSAfter jaw thrusts, OPA/NPA,
and Supra Glottic airways have failed.
What are some assessment criteria for Endotracheal Intubation? -
ANSWERSDecreased LOC (GCS<8), Inability to maintain patent airway, Upper Airway
Burns, Signs of pending airway obstructions.
Which type of airway management should be considered last? - ANSWERSSurgical.
What types of methods should be used to verify tube placement? - ANSWERSOne
physiological and one mechanical method.
When the patients breathing draws your attention you should...? - ANSWERSAssume
there is a problem until proven otherwise.
