PHTLS 10th Edition Pre and
Post Test Exam Questions and
Correct Answers 2025
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 CORRECT ANSWER: 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 CORRECT ANSWER: D. None of the above
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 CORRECT ANSWER: 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 CORRECT ANSWER: 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 CORRECT ANSWER: 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 CORRECT ANSWER: 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 CORRECT ANSWER:
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 CORRECT ANSWER:
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 CORRECT ANSWER: 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 CORRECT ANSWER: 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 CORRECT ANSWER: 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 CORRECT ANSWER: C. Anxiety
Which of the following characterizes the washout phase of shock?
A. Systemic acidosis
B. Localized tissue acidosis
C. Edema
D. Reduced capillary blood flow CORRECT ANSWER: A. Systemic acidosis
A trauma patient who has fallen 20 feet from an apartment balcony is alert with warm,
dry, pink skin, with normal capillary refilling time to the lower extremities, and is
hypotensive. The upper extremities are cool, pale and diaphoretic. Which of the
following injuries should be suspected?
A. Aortic dissection
B. Liver laceration
C. Fractured pelvis
D. Spinal cord injury CORRECT ANSWER: D. Spinal cord injury
Which of the following is a limitation of prehospital fluid resuscitation of the patient in
hemorrhagic shock?
A. Inability of fluids to carry oxygen
B. Pulmonary edema
C. Increased hemorrhage
D. All of the above CORRECT ANSWER: D. All of the above
Which of the following statements regarding signs of intraabdominal injury is NOT
true?
A. Fresh blood in the abdominal cavity does not cause signs of peritonitis
Post Test Exam Questions and
Correct Answers 2025
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 CORRECT ANSWER: 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 CORRECT ANSWER: D. None of the above
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 CORRECT ANSWER: 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 CORRECT ANSWER: 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 CORRECT ANSWER: 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 CORRECT ANSWER: 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 CORRECT ANSWER:
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 CORRECT ANSWER:
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 CORRECT ANSWER: 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 CORRECT ANSWER: 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 CORRECT ANSWER: 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 CORRECT ANSWER: C. Anxiety
Which of the following characterizes the washout phase of shock?
A. Systemic acidosis
B. Localized tissue acidosis
C. Edema
D. Reduced capillary blood flow CORRECT ANSWER: A. Systemic acidosis
A trauma patient who has fallen 20 feet from an apartment balcony is alert with warm,
dry, pink skin, with normal capillary refilling time to the lower extremities, and is
hypotensive. The upper extremities are cool, pale and diaphoretic. Which of the
following injuries should be suspected?
A. Aortic dissection
B. Liver laceration
C. Fractured pelvis
D. Spinal cord injury CORRECT ANSWER: D. Spinal cord injury
Which of the following is a limitation of prehospital fluid resuscitation of the patient in
hemorrhagic shock?
A. Inability of fluids to carry oxygen
B. Pulmonary edema
C. Increased hemorrhage
D. All of the above CORRECT ANSWER: D. All of the above
Which of the following statements regarding signs of intraabdominal injury is NOT
true?
A. Fresh blood in the abdominal cavity does not cause signs of peritonitis
