PHTLS Pre & Post Test ATLS exam
Questions and Answers Latest 2026 A+
Which of the following represents adequate spontaneous ventilation
in an adult?
A. Tidal volume 100 mL, ventilatory rate 40/minute
B. Tidal volume 500 mL, ventilatory rate 8/minute
C. Tidal volume 300 mL, ventilatory rate 16/minute
D. Tidal volume 600 mL, ventilatory rate 12/minute
D. Tidal volume 600 mL, ventilatory rate 12/minute
Which of the following is 100% accurate in verifying endotracheal
tube placement?
A. Pulse oximetry
B. End-tidal capnometry
C. Syringe aspiration
D. None of the above
D. None of the above....(added info by ang: to verify you need breath
sounds, condensation in the tube and a confirmatory CXR)
When utilizing percutaneous transtracheal ventilation, the correct
ration of lung inflation to lung inflation time, in seconds, is:
A. 1:4
B. 1:5
C. 1:2
D. 2:2
A. 1:4
Which of the following is a possible complication of using a manually
triggered oxygen powered device for ventilation?
A. Gastric distention
B. Pneumothorax
C. Inability to feel lung compliance
D. All of the above
,D. All of the above
Which of the following procedures is considered an essential airway
skill?
A. Needle cricothyroidotomy
B. Endotracheal intubation
C. Insertion of an oropharyngeal airway
D. Retrograde endotracheal intubation
C. Insertion of an oropharyngeal airway
Pericardial tamponade is most likely to occur in which of the
following situations?
A. Stab wound to the chest
B. Fall from a height
C. Frontal impact vehicle crash
D. Gunshot wound to the chest
A. Stab wound to the chest
Which of the following is the preferred site for needle decompression
of a tension pneumothorax?
A. 4th intercostal space, midclavicular line, just over the top of the 5th
rib
B. 4th intercostal space, midclavicular line, just below the 4th rib
C. 2nd intercostal space, midclavicular line, just over top of the 3rd rib
D. 2nd intercostal space, midclavicular line, just below the 2nd rib
C. 2nd intercostal space, midclavicular line, just over top of the 3rd rib
Which of the following is the mechanism by which pulmonary
contusion interferes with oxygenation?
A. Inability to generate negative intrapleural pressure
B. Decrease in vital capacity due to collapse of the flail segment
C. Increased intrathoracic pressure
D. Blood and fluid in the alveoli and interstitial spaces of the lung
D. Blood and fluid in the alveoli and interstitial spaces of the lung
Your patient is a 55 year old male who was struck in the right side of
the chest with a piece of steel pipe. He presents with uncooperative
behavior, his skin is pale and moist, the ventilatory rate is 32, there is
, a weak radial pulse of 112, and breath sounds are decreased on the
right side. The trachea is midline and jugular veins are flat while the
patient is supine. There is isolated crepitus over the 4th and 5th ribs
in the midaxillary line on the patient's right side. Based on the
mechanism of injury and the assessment findings, which of the
following is the most likely cause of the patient's signs and
symptoms?
A. Tension pneumothorax
B. Simple pneumothorax
C. Pulmonary contusion
D. Hemothorax
D. Hemothorax
Deterioration of ventilation and oxygenation after inflation of a PASG
in a patient who has sustained a high-pressure compression injury of
the abdomen, such as a sudden deceleration with the lap belt placed
across the abdomen, most likely represents which of the following
injuries?
A. Abdominal aortic aneurysm
B. Ruptured diaphragm
C. Ruptured esophagus
D. "Paper bag" syndrome of the lungs
B. Ruptured diaphragm
Which of the following is NOT a component of the Fick Principle?
A. Adequate number of platelets in the blood
B. Oxygenation of red blood cells
C. Transportation of red blood cells to the tissues of the body
D. Off-loading oxygen from the red blood cells to the tissues
A. Adequate number of platelets in the blood
One of the earliest signs of hypovolemic shock is:
A. Hypotension
B. Bradycardia
C. Anxiety
D. Reduced urine output
Questions and Answers Latest 2026 A+
Which of the following represents adequate spontaneous ventilation
in an adult?
A. Tidal volume 100 mL, ventilatory rate 40/minute
B. Tidal volume 500 mL, ventilatory rate 8/minute
C. Tidal volume 300 mL, ventilatory rate 16/minute
D. Tidal volume 600 mL, ventilatory rate 12/minute
D. Tidal volume 600 mL, ventilatory rate 12/minute
Which of the following is 100% accurate in verifying endotracheal
tube placement?
A. Pulse oximetry
B. End-tidal capnometry
C. Syringe aspiration
D. None of the above
D. None of the above....(added info by ang: to verify you need breath
sounds, condensation in the tube and a confirmatory CXR)
When utilizing percutaneous transtracheal ventilation, the correct
ration of lung inflation to lung inflation time, in seconds, is:
A. 1:4
B. 1:5
C. 1:2
D. 2:2
A. 1:4
Which of the following is a possible complication of using a manually
triggered oxygen powered device for ventilation?
A. Gastric distention
B. Pneumothorax
C. Inability to feel lung compliance
D. All of the above
,D. All of the above
Which of the following procedures is considered an essential airway
skill?
A. Needle cricothyroidotomy
B. Endotracheal intubation
C. Insertion of an oropharyngeal airway
D. Retrograde endotracheal intubation
C. Insertion of an oropharyngeal airway
Pericardial tamponade is most likely to occur in which of the
following situations?
A. Stab wound to the chest
B. Fall from a height
C. Frontal impact vehicle crash
D. Gunshot wound to the chest
A. Stab wound to the chest
Which of the following is the preferred site for needle decompression
of a tension pneumothorax?
A. 4th intercostal space, midclavicular line, just over the top of the 5th
rib
B. 4th intercostal space, midclavicular line, just below the 4th rib
C. 2nd intercostal space, midclavicular line, just over top of the 3rd rib
D. 2nd intercostal space, midclavicular line, just below the 2nd rib
C. 2nd intercostal space, midclavicular line, just over top of the 3rd rib
Which of the following is the mechanism by which pulmonary
contusion interferes with oxygenation?
A. Inability to generate negative intrapleural pressure
B. Decrease in vital capacity due to collapse of the flail segment
C. Increased intrathoracic pressure
D. Blood and fluid in the alveoli and interstitial spaces of the lung
D. Blood and fluid in the alveoli and interstitial spaces of the lung
Your patient is a 55 year old male who was struck in the right side of
the chest with a piece of steel pipe. He presents with uncooperative
behavior, his skin is pale and moist, the ventilatory rate is 32, there is
, a weak radial pulse of 112, and breath sounds are decreased on the
right side. The trachea is midline and jugular veins are flat while the
patient is supine. There is isolated crepitus over the 4th and 5th ribs
in the midaxillary line on the patient's right side. Based on the
mechanism of injury and the assessment findings, which of the
following is the most likely cause of the patient's signs and
symptoms?
A. Tension pneumothorax
B. Simple pneumothorax
C. Pulmonary contusion
D. Hemothorax
D. Hemothorax
Deterioration of ventilation and oxygenation after inflation of a PASG
in a patient who has sustained a high-pressure compression injury of
the abdomen, such as a sudden deceleration with the lap belt placed
across the abdomen, most likely represents which of the following
injuries?
A. Abdominal aortic aneurysm
B. Ruptured diaphragm
C. Ruptured esophagus
D. "Paper bag" syndrome of the lungs
B. Ruptured diaphragm
Which of the following is NOT a component of the Fick Principle?
A. Adequate number of platelets in the blood
B. Oxygenation of red blood cells
C. Transportation of red blood cells to the tissues of the body
D. Off-loading oxygen from the red blood cells to the tissues
A. Adequate number of platelets in the blood
One of the earliest signs of hypovolemic shock is:
A. Hypotension
B. Bradycardia
C. Anxiety
D. Reduced urine output
