PHTLS 10TH EDITION POST TEST EXAM 2026
COMPLETE QUESTIONS WITH ANSWERS
◉ The single most important factor in determining the potential for
injury due to energy exchange is:
A. Mass of the bodies involved
B. Velocity of the bodies involved
C. Density of the tissues involved
D. Surface area of the impact involved. Answer: B. Velocity of the
bodies involved
◉ In the management of shock, isotonic crystalloid solutions, such
as Ringer's, are preferred because:
A. The protein molecules in crystalloid solutions act as volume
expanders
B. These fluids draw interstitial fluid into the vascular space to
enhance volume
C. These solutions will stay in the vascular space longer than water
solutions, such as D5W
,D. Their pH enhance oxygen delivery to the tissues. Answer: C. These
solutions will stay in the vascular space longer than water solutions,
such as D5W
◉ With respect to the distance of a fall, which of the following is a
guideline for determining a critical fall?
A. 3 times the height of the patient
B. 2 times the height of the patient
C. 5 times the height of the patient
D. 1 ½ times the height of the patient. Answer: A. 3 times the height
of the patient
◉ The phase of an explosion, or blast, in which hollow organs are
squeezed and may rupture is called the __________ phase.
A. Tertiary phase
B. Quaternary phase
C. Secondary phase
D. Primary phase. Answer: D. Primary phase
◉ During the primary survey and management of a trauma patient,
the E in ABCDE stands for _________?
,A. Edema
B. Eyes & ears
C. Expose/Environment
D. Electrical therapy. Answer: C. Expose/Environment
◉ The time in which surgical intervention can make a difference in
patient outcome is the __________?
A. Golden period
B. Golden time
C. Golden era
D. Golden minutes. Answer: A. Golden period (hour)
◉ In the absence of extenuating circumstances, the maximum
amount of time it should take to identify and manage immediate
threats to life, prepare the patient for transport and begin transport
is _________?
A. 5 minutes
B. 10 minutes
C. 15 minutes
D. 30 minutes. Answer: B. 10 minutes
, ◉ In which of the following situations is the use of a short spinal
immobilization device indicated?
A. 28 year old male, unrestrained driver in a frontal impact crash.
Awake, asks repeatedly what happened, complains of a headache,
has a hematoma on his forehead. BP 122/84, HR 92, VR 20.
B. 40 year old female who was pushed down a flight of stairs and is
lying prone on the landing between two flights of stairs, complaining
of back pain. BP 118/78, HR 100, VR 20.
C. 17 year old female, restrained driver in a frontal impact crash.
Awake, pale and diaphoretic, complains of upper right quadrant
abdominal pain. BP 100/70, HR 108, VR 20. D. None of the above.
Answer: D. None of the above
◉ Your patient is a 32 year old man, restrained driver of a vehicle
that has been involved in a frontal impact with a concrete bridge
abutment. The patient is awake, but has difficulty answering
questions due to shortness of breath. His ventilatory rate is 30 per
minute. Of the following choices, when is the first time the patient's
breath sounds should be checked?
A. As soon as he is removed from the vehicle
B. Prior to being removed from the vehicle
C. As soon as he is immobilized on a long backboard
COMPLETE QUESTIONS WITH ANSWERS
◉ The single most important factor in determining the potential for
injury due to energy exchange is:
A. Mass of the bodies involved
B. Velocity of the bodies involved
C. Density of the tissues involved
D. Surface area of the impact involved. Answer: B. Velocity of the
bodies involved
◉ In the management of shock, isotonic crystalloid solutions, such
as Ringer's, are preferred because:
A. The protein molecules in crystalloid solutions act as volume
expanders
B. These fluids draw interstitial fluid into the vascular space to
enhance volume
C. These solutions will stay in the vascular space longer than water
solutions, such as D5W
,D. Their pH enhance oxygen delivery to the tissues. Answer: C. These
solutions will stay in the vascular space longer than water solutions,
such as D5W
◉ With respect to the distance of a fall, which of the following is a
guideline for determining a critical fall?
A. 3 times the height of the patient
B. 2 times the height of the patient
C. 5 times the height of the patient
D. 1 ½ times the height of the patient. Answer: A. 3 times the height
of the patient
◉ The phase of an explosion, or blast, in which hollow organs are
squeezed and may rupture is called the __________ phase.
A. Tertiary phase
B. Quaternary phase
C. Secondary phase
D. Primary phase. Answer: D. Primary phase
◉ During the primary survey and management of a trauma patient,
the E in ABCDE stands for _________?
,A. Edema
B. Eyes & ears
C. Expose/Environment
D. Electrical therapy. Answer: C. Expose/Environment
◉ The time in which surgical intervention can make a difference in
patient outcome is the __________?
A. Golden period
B. Golden time
C. Golden era
D. Golden minutes. Answer: A. Golden period (hour)
◉ In the absence of extenuating circumstances, the maximum
amount of time it should take to identify and manage immediate
threats to life, prepare the patient for transport and begin transport
is _________?
A. 5 minutes
B. 10 minutes
C. 15 minutes
D. 30 minutes. Answer: B. 10 minutes
, ◉ In which of the following situations is the use of a short spinal
immobilization device indicated?
A. 28 year old male, unrestrained driver in a frontal impact crash.
Awake, asks repeatedly what happened, complains of a headache,
has a hematoma on his forehead. BP 122/84, HR 92, VR 20.
B. 40 year old female who was pushed down a flight of stairs and is
lying prone on the landing between two flights of stairs, complaining
of back pain. BP 118/78, HR 100, VR 20.
C. 17 year old female, restrained driver in a frontal impact crash.
Awake, pale and diaphoretic, complains of upper right quadrant
abdominal pain. BP 100/70, HR 108, VR 20. D. None of the above.
Answer: D. None of the above
◉ Your patient is a 32 year old man, restrained driver of a vehicle
that has been involved in a frontal impact with a concrete bridge
abutment. The patient is awake, but has difficulty answering
questions due to shortness of breath. His ventilatory rate is 30 per
minute. Of the following choices, when is the first time the patient's
breath sounds should be checked?
A. As soon as he is removed from the vehicle
B. Prior to being removed from the vehicle
C. As soon as he is immobilized on a long backboard
