PHTLS Patient Assessment and Management (XABCDE Primary Survey)

Question 1

What does the 'X' in the PHTLS XABCDE patient assessment mnemonic represent?

Accepted Answer

eXsanguinating hemorrhage requiring immediate control

Answer

External examination of the body surface

Answer

Extremity assessment for fractures

Answer

Exposure and environment

Question 2

The PHTLS 'Golden Period' concept most directly supports which field decision-making principle?

Accepted Answer

Minimize scene time and expedite transport to definitive surgical care

Answer

Perform all advanced interventions on scene before transport

Answer

Obtain a complete patient history before moving the patient

Answer

Wait for air medical transport regardless of ground transport availability

Question 3

During the primary survey, you find no radial pulse but a carotid pulse is present and regular. This finding most likely indicates a systolic blood pressure of approximately:

Accepted Answer

80–90 mmHg

Answer

100–110 mmHg

Answer

60–70 mmHg

Answer

Below 50 mmHg

Question 4

Using the AVPU scale, a trauma patient responds only to painful stimuli. This most closely corresponds to which Glasgow Coma Scale range?

Accepted Answer

GCS 8–10

Answer

GCS 14–15

Answer

GCS 12–13

Answer

GCS 3–5

Question 5

The primary survey is designed to identify and treat conditions in what order?

Accepted Answer

Life-threatening conditions in a prioritized physiologic sequence

Answer

All injuries systematically from head to toe, regardless of severity

Answer

The most anatomically obvious injuries first

Answer

Mechanism of injury and patient history before any physical assessment

Question 6

During the rapid trauma assessment of an unconscious patient, you identify a tension pneumothorax while examining the chest. What is the correct next action?

Accepted Answer

Treat the tension pneumothorax immediately before continuing the assessment

Answer

Note the finding and complete the full head-to-toe assessment before treating

Answer

Defer treatment until secondary survey is complete

Answer

Transport immediately without any on-scene intervention