PHTLS - Post Test, 8th Edition
2026 with complete solution
Course
PHTLS
1. What is the primary goal of Prehospital Trauma Life Support (PHTLS)?
A. To provide definitive surgical treatment at the scene
B. To promote excellence in prehospital trauma patient management
C. To eliminate the need for hospital trauma care
D. To provide only airway management
Answer: B. To promote excellence in prehospital trauma patient management
Complete solution: PHTLS focuses on improving trauma patient management in the prehospital
environment. NAEMT describes its mission as promoting excellence in trauma patient
management by prehospital care providers.
2. On arrival at a trauma scene, what should the provider address first?
A. Obtain the patient's medical history
B. Perform a detailed secondary assessment
C. Ensure scene safety
D. Apply a cervical collar
Answer: C. Ensure scene safety
Complete solution: The provider must first determine whether the scene is safe enough to
enter and treat the patient. Hazards involving traffic, fire, electricity, violence, chemicals, or
unstable structures must be considered.
3. Why is mechanism of injury important in trauma assessment?
A. It determines the patient's blood type
B. It helps predict potential injury patterns
C. It replaces the physical examination
D. It determines the patient's medication history
Answer: B. It helps predict potential injury patterns
Complete solution: Understanding how the injury occurred helps the provider anticipate
injuries that may not initially be obvious.
, 4. A trauma patient has severe external bleeding from the thigh. What should receive
immediate attention?
A. Complete SAMPLE history
B. Hemorrhage control
C. Detailed neurological examination
D. Insurance information
Answer: B. Hemorrhage control
Complete solution: Life-threatening hemorrhage is an immediate threat to life. Rapid
recognition and appropriate hemorrhage-control measures are essential.
5. A patient has severe extremity hemorrhage that cannot be controlled with direct pressure.
Which intervention may be appropriate?
A. Apply an appropriate tourniquet
B. Place ice directly on the wound
C. Wait for spontaneous clotting
D. Encourage the patient to walk
Answer: A. Apply an appropriate tourniquet
Complete solution: When severe extremity bleeding cannot be adequately controlled with
direct pressure, a properly applied tourniquet may be indicated according to training and local
protocols.
6. Which finding most strongly suggests airway obstruction in an unconscious trauma patient?
A. Clear speech
B. Snoring respirations
C. Normal respiratory pattern
D. Strong peripheral pulse
Answer: B. Snoring respirations
Complete solution: Snoring respirations commonly indicate partial upper-airway obstruction,
often from soft-tissue obstruction in an unconscious patient.
7. A trauma patient has blood and vomitus in the mouth with impaired consciousness. What
is the major concern?
A. Hypoglycemia only
B. Airway obstruction and aspiration
2026 with complete solution
Course
PHTLS
1. What is the primary goal of Prehospital Trauma Life Support (PHTLS)?
A. To provide definitive surgical treatment at the scene
B. To promote excellence in prehospital trauma patient management
C. To eliminate the need for hospital trauma care
D. To provide only airway management
Answer: B. To promote excellence in prehospital trauma patient management
Complete solution: PHTLS focuses on improving trauma patient management in the prehospital
environment. NAEMT describes its mission as promoting excellence in trauma patient
management by prehospital care providers.
2. On arrival at a trauma scene, what should the provider address first?
A. Obtain the patient's medical history
B. Perform a detailed secondary assessment
C. Ensure scene safety
D. Apply a cervical collar
Answer: C. Ensure scene safety
Complete solution: The provider must first determine whether the scene is safe enough to
enter and treat the patient. Hazards involving traffic, fire, electricity, violence, chemicals, or
unstable structures must be considered.
3. Why is mechanism of injury important in trauma assessment?
A. It determines the patient's blood type
B. It helps predict potential injury patterns
C. It replaces the physical examination
D. It determines the patient's medication history
Answer: B. It helps predict potential injury patterns
Complete solution: Understanding how the injury occurred helps the provider anticipate
injuries that may not initially be obvious.
, 4. A trauma patient has severe external bleeding from the thigh. What should receive
immediate attention?
A. Complete SAMPLE history
B. Hemorrhage control
C. Detailed neurological examination
D. Insurance information
Answer: B. Hemorrhage control
Complete solution: Life-threatening hemorrhage is an immediate threat to life. Rapid
recognition and appropriate hemorrhage-control measures are essential.
5. A patient has severe extremity hemorrhage that cannot be controlled with direct pressure.
Which intervention may be appropriate?
A. Apply an appropriate tourniquet
B. Place ice directly on the wound
C. Wait for spontaneous clotting
D. Encourage the patient to walk
Answer: A. Apply an appropriate tourniquet
Complete solution: When severe extremity bleeding cannot be adequately controlled with
direct pressure, a properly applied tourniquet may be indicated according to training and local
protocols.
6. Which finding most strongly suggests airway obstruction in an unconscious trauma patient?
A. Clear speech
B. Snoring respirations
C. Normal respiratory pattern
D. Strong peripheral pulse
Answer: B. Snoring respirations
Complete solution: Snoring respirations commonly indicate partial upper-airway obstruction,
often from soft-tissue obstruction in an unconscious patient.
7. A trauma patient has blood and vomitus in the mouth with impaired consciousness. What
is the major concern?
A. Hypoglycemia only
B. Airway obstruction and aspiration
