PHTLS - Prehospital Trauma Life Support Scene Assessment and Safety Questions and Answers

Question 1

Upon arriving at the scene of a motor vehicle collision, which of the following is the highest priority for the prehospital trauma provider?

Accepted Answer

Assessing for immediate threats to your own safety.

Answer

Determining the mechanism of injury (MOI).

Answer

Triaging the number of patients involved.

Answer

Initiating the primary survey (XABCDE) on the closest patient.

Question 2

You are dispatched to a construction site where a worker has fallen from scaffolding. As you approach, you see a downed electrical line near the patient. What is the most appropriate initial action?

Accepted Answer

Stage a safe distance away and notify the power company to secure the hazard.

Answer

Immediately run to the patient to begin assessment, avoiding the wire.

Answer

Use a dry, non-conductive object to move the wire away from the patient.

Answer

Instruct a bystander to check if the patient is in contact with the wire.

Question 3

During the scene size-up of a multi-vehicle crash on a highway, which of the following components is essential for resource management?

Accepted Answer

Determining the total number of patients.

Answer

Obtaining detailed medical histories from uninjured occupants.

Answer

Estimating the speed of the vehicles involved.

Answer

Documenting the exact time of the incident.

Question 4

Which of the following is the primary purpose of evaluating the Mechanism of Injury (MOI) during a trauma scene assessment?

Accepted Answer

To develop an index of suspicion for potential injuries.

Answer

To definitively diagnose specific internal injuries.

Answer

To determine the patient's exact Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) score.

Answer

To decide which hospital the patient must be transported to.

Question 5

When assessing a trauma scene, which of the following best describes the principle of 'situational awareness'?

Accepted Answer

Continuously re-evaluating the scene for changing conditions and new threats.

Answer

Focusing solely on the patient's most obvious injury.

Answer

Strictly following a memorized protocol without deviation.

Answer

Delegating all safety monitoring tasks to law enforcement officers.

Question 6

You respond to an assault in a private residence. The scene appears calm, but the patient seems fearful and is glancing at a closed door. Which of the following is the most prudent action?

Accepted Answer

Maintain a high index of suspicion, ensure an escape route, and consider requesting law enforcement backup.

Answer

Ignore the patient's behavior and focus on the physical assessment.

Answer

Ask the patient to speak up and tell you what is wrong.

Answer

Position yourself between the patient and the door to block a potential escape.