PHTLS pre test 8th edition Questions
and Answers | 2026 Update | 100%
Correct – USA.
Question 1:
You arrive at the scene of a motor vehicle collision in which a vehicle struck a tree.
Which is the best indicator of potential injury?
A) Circumference of the vehicle
B) Diameter of the tree
C) Mass of the vehicle
D) Speed of the vehicle
Answer: D) Speed of the vehicle
Explanation: The text directly states that "speed of the vehicle" is the best indicator of
potential injury, as the energy of a crash and the potential for injury increase with speed.
Question 2:
The potential for death or serious injury is greatest in which of the following motor
vehicle collisions?
A) Down and under
B) Ejection from vehicle
C) Lateral compression
D) Up and over
Answer: B) Ejection from vehicle
Explanation: The text identifies "ejection from vehicle" as the situation where the
potential for death or serious injury is greatest, due to the loss of occupant protection
and high risk of severe multisystem trauma.
Question 3:
Bilateral femur fractures are most often associated with which type of motorcycle crash?
A) Angular
B) Head-on impact
C) Rear-end
D) Sliding
Answer: B) Head-on impact
Explanation: The text directly associates bilateral femur fractures with "head-on impact"
, in motorcycle crashes, as the rider's lower extremities strike the handlebars or front of
the bike.
Question 4:
What is the preferred fluid for resuscitation of hemorrhagic shock in the prehospital
setting?
A) Lactated Ringers
B) Normal saline
C) Hetastarch
D) Dextrose 5% in water
Answer: A) Lactated Ringers
Explanation: The text explicitly states "lactated ringers" as the preferred fluid for
resuscitation of hemorrhagic shock in the prehospital setting.
Question 5:
What is the most common cause of upper airway obstruction in the trauma patient?
A) Blood
B) Broken teeth
C) Tongue
D) Vomitus
Answer: C) Tongue
Explanation: The text identifies the "tongue" as the most common cause of upper
airway obstruction in a trauma patient, typically due to loss of muscle tone in an
unconscious patient.
Question 6:
What is the preferred adjunct device for verifying placement of an ET tube in a patient
with a perfusing rhythm?
A) Colorimetric device
B) End-tidal CO2 monitoring
C) Esophageal detector device
D) Pulse oximetry
Answer: B) End-tidal CO2 monitoring
Explanation: The text states that "end-tidal CO2 monitoring" is the preferred adjunct
device for verifying endotracheal tube placement in a patient with a perfusing rhythm.
Question 7:
What is the most important reason to maintain an open airway in the trauma patient?
A) Allows for suctioning
B) Prevents aspiration
C) Prevents hypoxemia and hypercarbia
and Answers | 2026 Update | 100%
Correct – USA.
Question 1:
You arrive at the scene of a motor vehicle collision in which a vehicle struck a tree.
Which is the best indicator of potential injury?
A) Circumference of the vehicle
B) Diameter of the tree
C) Mass of the vehicle
D) Speed of the vehicle
Answer: D) Speed of the vehicle
Explanation: The text directly states that "speed of the vehicle" is the best indicator of
potential injury, as the energy of a crash and the potential for injury increase with speed.
Question 2:
The potential for death or serious injury is greatest in which of the following motor
vehicle collisions?
A) Down and under
B) Ejection from vehicle
C) Lateral compression
D) Up and over
Answer: B) Ejection from vehicle
Explanation: The text identifies "ejection from vehicle" as the situation where the
potential for death or serious injury is greatest, due to the loss of occupant protection
and high risk of severe multisystem trauma.
Question 3:
Bilateral femur fractures are most often associated with which type of motorcycle crash?
A) Angular
B) Head-on impact
C) Rear-end
D) Sliding
Answer: B) Head-on impact
Explanation: The text directly associates bilateral femur fractures with "head-on impact"
, in motorcycle crashes, as the rider's lower extremities strike the handlebars or front of
the bike.
Question 4:
What is the preferred fluid for resuscitation of hemorrhagic shock in the prehospital
setting?
A) Lactated Ringers
B) Normal saline
C) Hetastarch
D) Dextrose 5% in water
Answer: A) Lactated Ringers
Explanation: The text explicitly states "lactated ringers" as the preferred fluid for
resuscitation of hemorrhagic shock in the prehospital setting.
Question 5:
What is the most common cause of upper airway obstruction in the trauma patient?
A) Blood
B) Broken teeth
C) Tongue
D) Vomitus
Answer: C) Tongue
Explanation: The text identifies the "tongue" as the most common cause of upper
airway obstruction in a trauma patient, typically due to loss of muscle tone in an
unconscious patient.
Question 6:
What is the preferred adjunct device for verifying placement of an ET tube in a patient
with a perfusing rhythm?
A) Colorimetric device
B) End-tidal CO2 monitoring
C) Esophageal detector device
D) Pulse oximetry
Answer: B) End-tidal CO2 monitoring
Explanation: The text states that "end-tidal CO2 monitoring" is the preferred adjunct
device for verifying endotracheal tube placement in a patient with a perfusing rhythm.
Question 7:
What is the most important reason to maintain an open airway in the trauma patient?
A) Allows for suctioning
B) Prevents aspiration
C) Prevents hypoxemia and hypercarbia
