PHTLS 10th Edition Comprehensive Exam Questions and
Answers |Fall 2026/2027 Update | 100% Correct Latest
QUESTION 1
Which statement best defines the mission of PHTLS according to the 10th edition guidelines?
A. To replace physician-led trauma programs
B. To provide prehospital trauma education aimed at reducing mortality and morbidity
C. To standardize trauma care globally
D. To train only advanced-level paramedics
CORRECT ANSWER: B
RATIONALE: The mission of PHTLS is to promote excellence in trauma patient management by all
prehospital providers, improving outcomes through standardized education.
QUESTION 2
According to the PHTLS 10th edition, the “platinum ten minutes” refers to:
A. Time spent at the scene for critically injured patients
B. Interval between injury and definitive care
C. Duration of hospital triage
D. Response time from dispatch
CORRECT ANSWER: A
RATIONALE: For critical trauma, scene time should not exceed ten minutes to expedite transport
to definitive care.
QUESTION 3
Which of the following is part of the initial trauma patient assessment?
A. Detailed head-to-toe exam
B. SAMPLE history
C. Primary survey (ABCDE)
D. Full set of vital signs
,CORRECT ANSWER: C
RATIONALE: The primary survey systematically identifies and corrects immediate life threats:
Airway, Breathing, Circulation, Disability, and Exposure.
QUESTION 4
Which principle is emphasized by the PHTLS 10th edition regarding airway management?
A. Early intubation prevents all complications
B. The least invasive technique that achieves adequate oxygenation should be used
C. Surgical airway should always precede basic maneuvers
D. Supine positioning improves oxygenation in all patients
CORRECT ANSWER: B
RATIONALE: PHTLS prioritizes oxygenation while minimizing interruptions and risks associated
with invasive airway techniques.
QUESTION 5
The “X” in “XABCDE” stands for:
A. Xiphoid fractures
B. Exsanguinating hemorrhage
C. Exposure
D. X-ray evaluation
CORRECT ANSWER: B
RATIONALE: Life-threatening external bleeding (“X”) must be controlled before airway
management in the updated PHTLS sequence.
QUESTION 6
Which of the following best describes the appropriate oxygen delivery goal in prehospital
trauma care?
A. SpO₂ > 90%
B. SpO₂ 100% for all patients
C. SpO₂ > 94%
D. SpO₂ 85–95% depending on age
,CORRECT ANSWER: C
RATIONALE: The goal is to maintain oxygen saturation above 94%, balancing oxygen needs and
avoiding hyperoxia-related harm.
QUESTION 7
What is the recommended tidal volume when ventilating an adult trauma patient using a BVM?
A. 1000–1200 mL
B. Enough to see visible chest rise
C. Full compression of the bag
D. Twice the normal resting volume
CORRECT ANSWER: B
RATIONALE: Overventilation increases intrathoracic pressure and reduces venous return; visible
chest rise is the correct target.
QUESTION 8
When assessing breathing, the provider must evaluate:
A. Rate, rhythm, symmetry, and quality of respirations
B. Only the respiratory rate
C. Oxygen saturation alone
D. Need for intubation
CORRECT ANSWER: A
RATIONALE: A complete respiratory evaluation ensures detection of pneumothorax, flail chest,
and other breathing problems.
QUESTION 9
Capnography (ETCO₂) should be used to monitor:
A. Oxygenation
B. Ventilation adequacy
C. Pain level
D. Blood loss
, CORRECT ANSWER: B
RATIONALE: Capnography measures exhaled CO₂, providing a reliable indicator of ventilation
and perfusion.
QUESTION 10
Which of the following most accurately describes compensated shock?
A. The patient is in cardiac arrest
B. Blood pressure and perfusion are maintained by sympathetic response
C. Irreversible cellular damage is evident
D. Minor tachycardia with stable perfusion
CORRECT ANSWER: B
RATIONALE: Early compensatory mechanisms maintain BP and perfusion through tachycardia
and vasoconstriction before decompensation occurs.
QUESTION 11
Permissive hypotension is recommended in trauma patients with uncontrolled bleeding except
when:
A. The patient has head injury
B. The patient is under 65
C. The bleeding source is controlled
D. The patient has thoracic trauma
CORRECT ANSWER: A
RATIONALE: Cerebral perfusion must be maintained in head-injured patients; normotension is
necessary to prevent hypoxia.
QUESTION 12
For adult trauma patients, normal respiratory rate is typically:
A. 12–20 breaths per minute
B. 20–28 breaths per minute
C. 8–16 breaths per minute
D. 10–12 breaths per minute
Answers |Fall 2026/2027 Update | 100% Correct Latest
QUESTION 1
Which statement best defines the mission of PHTLS according to the 10th edition guidelines?
A. To replace physician-led trauma programs
B. To provide prehospital trauma education aimed at reducing mortality and morbidity
C. To standardize trauma care globally
D. To train only advanced-level paramedics
CORRECT ANSWER: B
RATIONALE: The mission of PHTLS is to promote excellence in trauma patient management by all
prehospital providers, improving outcomes through standardized education.
QUESTION 2
According to the PHTLS 10th edition, the “platinum ten minutes” refers to:
A. Time spent at the scene for critically injured patients
B. Interval between injury and definitive care
C. Duration of hospital triage
D. Response time from dispatch
CORRECT ANSWER: A
RATIONALE: For critical trauma, scene time should not exceed ten minutes to expedite transport
to definitive care.
QUESTION 3
Which of the following is part of the initial trauma patient assessment?
A. Detailed head-to-toe exam
B. SAMPLE history
C. Primary survey (ABCDE)
D. Full set of vital signs
,CORRECT ANSWER: C
RATIONALE: The primary survey systematically identifies and corrects immediate life threats:
Airway, Breathing, Circulation, Disability, and Exposure.
QUESTION 4
Which principle is emphasized by the PHTLS 10th edition regarding airway management?
A. Early intubation prevents all complications
B. The least invasive technique that achieves adequate oxygenation should be used
C. Surgical airway should always precede basic maneuvers
D. Supine positioning improves oxygenation in all patients
CORRECT ANSWER: B
RATIONALE: PHTLS prioritizes oxygenation while minimizing interruptions and risks associated
with invasive airway techniques.
QUESTION 5
The “X” in “XABCDE” stands for:
A. Xiphoid fractures
B. Exsanguinating hemorrhage
C. Exposure
D. X-ray evaluation
CORRECT ANSWER: B
RATIONALE: Life-threatening external bleeding (“X”) must be controlled before airway
management in the updated PHTLS sequence.
QUESTION 6
Which of the following best describes the appropriate oxygen delivery goal in prehospital
trauma care?
A. SpO₂ > 90%
B. SpO₂ 100% for all patients
C. SpO₂ > 94%
D. SpO₂ 85–95% depending on age
,CORRECT ANSWER: C
RATIONALE: The goal is to maintain oxygen saturation above 94%, balancing oxygen needs and
avoiding hyperoxia-related harm.
QUESTION 7
What is the recommended tidal volume when ventilating an adult trauma patient using a BVM?
A. 1000–1200 mL
B. Enough to see visible chest rise
C. Full compression of the bag
D. Twice the normal resting volume
CORRECT ANSWER: B
RATIONALE: Overventilation increases intrathoracic pressure and reduces venous return; visible
chest rise is the correct target.
QUESTION 8
When assessing breathing, the provider must evaluate:
A. Rate, rhythm, symmetry, and quality of respirations
B. Only the respiratory rate
C. Oxygen saturation alone
D. Need for intubation
CORRECT ANSWER: A
RATIONALE: A complete respiratory evaluation ensures detection of pneumothorax, flail chest,
and other breathing problems.
QUESTION 9
Capnography (ETCO₂) should be used to monitor:
A. Oxygenation
B. Ventilation adequacy
C. Pain level
D. Blood loss
, CORRECT ANSWER: B
RATIONALE: Capnography measures exhaled CO₂, providing a reliable indicator of ventilation
and perfusion.
QUESTION 10
Which of the following most accurately describes compensated shock?
A. The patient is in cardiac arrest
B. Blood pressure and perfusion are maintained by sympathetic response
C. Irreversible cellular damage is evident
D. Minor tachycardia with stable perfusion
CORRECT ANSWER: B
RATIONALE: Early compensatory mechanisms maintain BP and perfusion through tachycardia
and vasoconstriction before decompensation occurs.
QUESTION 11
Permissive hypotension is recommended in trauma patients with uncontrolled bleeding except
when:
A. The patient has head injury
B. The patient is under 65
C. The bleeding source is controlled
D. The patient has thoracic trauma
CORRECT ANSWER: A
RATIONALE: Cerebral perfusion must be maintained in head-injured patients; normotension is
necessary to prevent hypoxia.
QUESTION 12
For adult trauma patients, normal respiratory rate is typically:
A. 12–20 breaths per minute
B. 20–28 breaths per minute
C. 8–16 breaths per minute
D. 10–12 breaths per minute
