ITLS Study Guide 2026

Everything you need to pass the ITLS exam in one place: the exam format, every topic to study, real practice questions with explanations, flashcards, and full-length practice tests. Free, no sign-up needed.

📋 ITLS Exam Format at a Glance

Questions

60 min

Time Limit

74%

Passing Score

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📚 ITLS Topics to Study (39)

Adult Advanced · 11 cards Adult Basic · 11 cards Triage and Mass Casualty Incidents · 7 cards Triage and Mass Casualty Incidents · 7 cards Triage and Mass Casualty Incidents · 7 cards Adult Advanced · 6 cards Adult Advanced · 6 cards Adult Basic · 6 cards Adult Basic · 6 cards Airway Management and Ventilation · 6 cards Airway Management and Ventilation · 6 cards Burns and Environmental Trauma · 6 cards Burns and Environmental Trauma · 6 cards Extremity Trauma Management · 6 cards Extremity Trauma Management · 6 cards Geriatric Trauma Considerations · 6 cards Geriatric Trauma Considerations · 6 cards Head and Spinal Trauma · 6 cards Head and Spinal Trauma · 6 cards Hemorrhage Control and Shock · 6 cards Hemorrhage Control and Shock · 6 cards Airway Management and Ventilation · 6 cards Burns and Environmental Trauma · 6 cards Extremity Trauma Management · 6 cards Geriatric Trauma Considerations · 6 cards Head and Spinal Trauma · 6 cards Hemorrhage Control and Shock · 6 cards Patient Assessment and Management · 6 cards Pediatric Trauma Considerations · 6 cards Thoracic and Abdominal Trauma · 6 cards

See all 39 topics as flashcards →

✍️ Sample ITLS Questions & Answers

1. Which patient presentation most strongly indicates the need for assisted ventilation rather than supplemental oxygen alone?

✓ Respiratory rate of 8 with shallow chest rise and cyanosis

A respiratory rate of 8 (bradypnea) with shallow chest rise and cyanosis indicates inadequate ventilation requiring assisted ventilations with a BVM, not just supplemental oxygen.

2. In the START algorithm, if an apneic adult patient does not begin breathing after airway repositioning, the rescuer should:

✓ Tag the patient expectant and move to assess the next patient

In START triage (for adults), an apneic patient who does not breathe after a single airway opening maneuver is tagged expectant, as CPR is not initiated during active MCI triage.

3. Which of the following is the primary goal of permissive hypotension in the prehospital management of a patient with suspected non-compressible torso hemorrhage?

✓ To prevent clot disruption and re-bleeding before surgical control.

Permissive hypotension is a strategy of restricting fluid resuscitation to maintain a lower-than-normal blood pressure (e.g., SBP of 80-90 mmHg) in patients with suspected non-compressible hemorrhage. The goal is to avoid dislodging newly formed clots by excessive intravascular pressure, which could worsen bleeding before the patient reaches definitive surgical care.

4. What mnemonic does ITLS use for the detailed secondary survey assessment of each body region, and what does each letter stand for?

✓ DCAP-BTLS - Deformities, Contusions, Abrasions, Punctures/Penetrations, Burns, Tenderness, Lacerations, Swelling

DCAP-BTLS is the ITLS mnemonic used during the secondary survey to systematically assess each body region for: Deformities, Contusions, Abrasions, Punctures/Penetrations, Burns, Tenderness, Lacerations, and Swelling.

5. What is neurogenic shock, and how does it differ from hypovolemic shock in its presentation?

✓ Neurogenic shock presents with hypotension and bradycardia due to loss of sympathetic tone, while hypovolemic shock presents with hypotension and tachycardia

Neurogenic shock results from spinal cord injury disrupting sympathetic outflow, causing vasodilation (hypotension) and unopposed vagal tone (bradycardia)—the opposite of the tachycardia seen in hypovolemic shock.

6. A trauma patient with facial fractures and significant oral bleeding is unable to maintain their airway. Oral intubation attempts have failed twice. What is the next appropriate airway intervention?

✓ Perform a surgical cricothyrotomy

After two failed oral intubation attempts in a patient who cannot maintain their airway, a surgical cricothyrotomy provides a definitive surgical airway and is the appropriate rescue technique.

🎯 Free ITLS Practice Tests

Adult Advanced · 11 questions Adult Basic · 11 questions Triage and Mass Casualty Incidents · 7 questions Triage and Mass Casualty Incidents · 7 questions Triage and Mass Casualty Incidents · 7 questions Burns and Environmental Trauma · 6 questions Head and Spinal Trauma · 6 questions Extremity Trauma Management · 6 questions Burns and Environmental Trauma · 6 questions Airway Management and Ventilation · 6 questions

📖 ITLS Guides & Articles

Your ITLS Study Path

1. Learn with Flashcards → 2. Drill Practice Tests → 3. Take the Full Exam Simulation

🃏 Flashcards (247)🏆 Exam Simulation