PHTLS + GEMS
When caring for a trauma patient, a principle is what is necessary for patient improvement or
survival. A preference is how the principle is achieved and depends upon four factors. The
factors used to establish the preference in treating the patient include all except:
a.Condition of the patient
b.Equipment available
c.Situation that exists
d.Research information - ANS d
Hyperventilation of a patient with suspected traumatic brain injury should occur when?
a.At time of injury
b.When signs of impending brain herniation are present
c.During a concussion
d.Whenever the patient complains of headache - ANS b
When using a selective spinal immobilization protocol, which of the following findings indicate
the need for immobilization?
a.Past history of spinal injury
b.Being an unrestrained passenger in a motor vehicle crash
c.Being ambulatory at the scene
d.An associated femoral shaft fracture with severe pain - ANS d
The secondary survey should be accomplished:
a.Never on a critical patient
b.Before transport
c.When time and situation allow
d.Before moving the patient - ANS c
You respond to a patient who has sustained a stab wound to the left upper thorax. She is barely
responsive, pale and diaphoretic. Which of the following is the most appropriate for transport?
a.Stair chair
b.Long board with spinal motion restriction
c.Scoop stretcher
d.Short immobilization device - ANS c
, While caring for a patient who was involved in an altercation, the patient vomits, causing his
airway to become totally obstructed with vomitus and blood. What is the most important action?
a.Performing an RSI
b.Performing a head-tilt chin lift
c.Intubating
d.Suctioning the airway - ANS d
EMS responds to an adult barista with partial-thickness burns to the abdomen and right leg,
sustained from a cooking accident. Initial treatment of this injury would include:
a.Apply antibiotic ointment
b.Run copious amounts of room temperature water over the burn
c.Cover burned area with dry sterile dressings
d.Cover burned area with moist sterile dressings - ANS c
When verifying ET tube placement on a perfusing patient, the "gold standard" of monitoring is
considered to be?
a.Colorimetric carbon dioxide detector
b.Pulse oximetry
c.Listening to lung sounds
d.Waveform capnography - ANS d
EMS responds for a patient involved in a motorcycle vs. motor vehicle collision. The patient is
poorly responsive with no movement of lower extremities and loss of temperature sensation (hot
vs cold) below the T10. Which of the following types of shock is the patient most likely
experiencing?
a.Cardiogenic
b.Hypovolemic
c.Neurogenic
d.Obstructive - ANS c
Which best describes the goal of airway management in a trauma patient?
a.Perform complex airway maneuvers
b.Perform a surgical cricothyrotomy
c.Provide for adequate exchange of oxygen and CO2
d.Perform RSI - ANS c
Which of the following is the best indicator of shock in a trauma patient?
a.Depressed level of cognition
When caring for a trauma patient, a principle is what is necessary for patient improvement or
survival. A preference is how the principle is achieved and depends upon four factors. The
factors used to establish the preference in treating the patient include all except:
a.Condition of the patient
b.Equipment available
c.Situation that exists
d.Research information - ANS d
Hyperventilation of a patient with suspected traumatic brain injury should occur when?
a.At time of injury
b.When signs of impending brain herniation are present
c.During a concussion
d.Whenever the patient complains of headache - ANS b
When using a selective spinal immobilization protocol, which of the following findings indicate
the need for immobilization?
a.Past history of spinal injury
b.Being an unrestrained passenger in a motor vehicle crash
c.Being ambulatory at the scene
d.An associated femoral shaft fracture with severe pain - ANS d
The secondary survey should be accomplished:
a.Never on a critical patient
b.Before transport
c.When time and situation allow
d.Before moving the patient - ANS c
You respond to a patient who has sustained a stab wound to the left upper thorax. She is barely
responsive, pale and diaphoretic. Which of the following is the most appropriate for transport?
a.Stair chair
b.Long board with spinal motion restriction
c.Scoop stretcher
d.Short immobilization device - ANS c
, While caring for a patient who was involved in an altercation, the patient vomits, causing his
airway to become totally obstructed with vomitus and blood. What is the most important action?
a.Performing an RSI
b.Performing a head-tilt chin lift
c.Intubating
d.Suctioning the airway - ANS d
EMS responds to an adult barista with partial-thickness burns to the abdomen and right leg,
sustained from a cooking accident. Initial treatment of this injury would include:
a.Apply antibiotic ointment
b.Run copious amounts of room temperature water over the burn
c.Cover burned area with dry sterile dressings
d.Cover burned area with moist sterile dressings - ANS c
When verifying ET tube placement on a perfusing patient, the "gold standard" of monitoring is
considered to be?
a.Colorimetric carbon dioxide detector
b.Pulse oximetry
c.Listening to lung sounds
d.Waveform capnography - ANS d
EMS responds for a patient involved in a motorcycle vs. motor vehicle collision. The patient is
poorly responsive with no movement of lower extremities and loss of temperature sensation (hot
vs cold) below the T10. Which of the following types of shock is the patient most likely
experiencing?
a.Cardiogenic
b.Hypovolemic
c.Neurogenic
d.Obstructive - ANS c
Which best describes the goal of airway management in a trauma patient?
a.Perform complex airway maneuvers
b.Perform a surgical cricothyrotomy
c.Provide for adequate exchange of oxygen and CO2
d.Perform RSI - ANS c
Which of the following is the best indicator of shock in a trauma patient?
a.Depressed level of cognition
