PHTLS PHTLS - Prehospital Trauma Life Support Pediatric Trauma 2

Question 1

When using the pediatric assessment triangle (PAT), which three components are evaluated?

Accepted Answer

Appearance, work of breathing, circulation to skin

Answer

The PAT assesses appearance (tone, interactiveness, cry), work of breathing (sounds, positioning, retractions), and circulation to skin (color, mottling, pallor).

Question 2

A 2-year-old trauma patient has a GCS of 9. Using the modified pediatric GCS, what adjustment must be made to the verbal component?

Accepted Answer

Verbal responses are scored based on age-appropriate vocalizations rather than adult criteria

Answer

The pediatric modification of the GCS verbal score accounts for age-appropriate vocalizations such as crying, babbling, or words rather than adult verbal responses.

Question 3

What is the estimated normal systolic blood pressure for a child aged 4 years using the PHTLS formula?

Accepted Answer

80 mmHg

Answer

The PHTLS formula for minimum acceptable systolic BP in children is 70 + (2 × age in years); for a 4-year-old: 70 + 8 = 78, with 80 mmHg being the standard approximation.

Question 4

In a pediatric patient with suspected tension pneumothorax, which needle decompression site is preferred?

Accepted Answer

Fifth intercostal space, mid-axillary line

Answer

Current guidelines favor the fifth intercostal space at the mid-axillary line for needle decompression in both adults and pediatric patients due to higher success rates.

Question 5

Why are children more susceptible to hypothermia following trauma than adults?

Accepted Answer

Larger body surface area relative to mass and less subcutaneous fat

Answer

Children have a larger body surface area-to-mass ratio and less insulating subcutaneous fat, causing faster heat loss and increased hypothermia risk.

PHTLS - Prehospital Trauma Life Support Practice Test

PHTLS - Prehospital Trauma Life Support Practice Test

PHTLS PHTLS - Prehospital Trauma Life Support Pediatric Trauma 2