PHTLS Post-Test Certification Exam Actual Exam
2026/2027 | 50 Questions with Verified Answers |
100% Correct | Pass Guaranteed
SECTION 1: Trauma Assessment & Scene Management
Competency tested: PHTLS Domain 1 – Scene & Patient Assessment (XABCDE)
Q1 You are first to arrive at a two-car MVC at night. The scene has downed power lines
across one vehicle. Your FIRST action is to:
A. Begin the primary survey on the closest patient.
B. Request power utility response and stay uphill/up-wind at a safe distance.
C. Cut the power lines with insulated tools.
D. Remove the patients through open windows.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: PHTLS mantra: "Scene safety before patient care." Downed lines = electrical
hazard; only qualified personnel handle. Scene isolation and resource request precede
any patient contact.
Q2 During scene size-up you note a deformed steering wheel and starred windshield in a
single-vehicle crash. This mechanism suggests:
A. Low-energy lateral impact.
,B. High-energy frontal impact with potential for severe thoraco-abdominal and head
injuries.
C. Rear-end collision with whiplash only.
D. Rollover with ejection already occurred.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Deformed steering wheel = significant deceleration; starred windshield =
head impact. Index of suspicion for aortic, cardiac, pulmonary, and facial injuries is
raised.
Q3 Using START triage you encounter an ambulatory patient with minor abrasions. The
correct tag is:
A. Red (Immediate)
B. Green (Minor)
C. Yellow (Delayed)
D. Black (Expectant)
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: START Step 1 – ambulatory = GREEN; no further interventions at scene.
Q4 A 6-year-old child is found apneic after a house fire. After opening the airway with a
jaw thrust the child begins breathing at 24/min. The next triage action is:
A. Tag Red and move on.
, B. Check perfusion (capillary refill/remote pulse).
C. Insert an OPA and begin BVM.
D. Tag Black because of smoke inhalation.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: JumpSTART pediatric triage: if respirations normalize after airway opening,
proceed to perfusion check; then mental status.
Q5 Your primary survey reveals a GCS of 10 (E2 V3 M5). This indicates:
A. Mild brain injury.
B. Moderate brain injury.
C. Severe brain injury.
D. No brain injury.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: GCS 9–12 = moderate TBI per PHTLS; requires airway protection and rapid
transport.
Q6 During XABCDE you observe bright red blood pulsating from a groin wound. This is
classified as:
A. Venous bleeding.
B. Arterial bleeding.
C. Capillary bleeding.
2026/2027 | 50 Questions with Verified Answers |
100% Correct | Pass Guaranteed
SECTION 1: Trauma Assessment & Scene Management
Competency tested: PHTLS Domain 1 – Scene & Patient Assessment (XABCDE)
Q1 You are first to arrive at a two-car MVC at night. The scene has downed power lines
across one vehicle. Your FIRST action is to:
A. Begin the primary survey on the closest patient.
B. Request power utility response and stay uphill/up-wind at a safe distance.
C. Cut the power lines with insulated tools.
D. Remove the patients through open windows.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: PHTLS mantra: "Scene safety before patient care." Downed lines = electrical
hazard; only qualified personnel handle. Scene isolation and resource request precede
any patient contact.
Q2 During scene size-up you note a deformed steering wheel and starred windshield in a
single-vehicle crash. This mechanism suggests:
A. Low-energy lateral impact.
,B. High-energy frontal impact with potential for severe thoraco-abdominal and head
injuries.
C. Rear-end collision with whiplash only.
D. Rollover with ejection already occurred.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Deformed steering wheel = significant deceleration; starred windshield =
head impact. Index of suspicion for aortic, cardiac, pulmonary, and facial injuries is
raised.
Q3 Using START triage you encounter an ambulatory patient with minor abrasions. The
correct tag is:
A. Red (Immediate)
B. Green (Minor)
C. Yellow (Delayed)
D. Black (Expectant)
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: START Step 1 – ambulatory = GREEN; no further interventions at scene.
Q4 A 6-year-old child is found apneic after a house fire. After opening the airway with a
jaw thrust the child begins breathing at 24/min. The next triage action is:
A. Tag Red and move on.
, B. Check perfusion (capillary refill/remote pulse).
C. Insert an OPA and begin BVM.
D. Tag Black because of smoke inhalation.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: JumpSTART pediatric triage: if respirations normalize after airway opening,
proceed to perfusion check; then mental status.
Q5 Your primary survey reveals a GCS of 10 (E2 V3 M5). This indicates:
A. Mild brain injury.
B. Moderate brain injury.
C. Severe brain injury.
D. No brain injury.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: GCS 9–12 = moderate TBI per PHTLS; requires airway protection and rapid
transport.
Q6 During XABCDE you observe bright red blood pulsating from a groin wound. This is
classified as:
A. Venous bleeding.
B. Arterial bleeding.
C. Capillary bleeding.
