- Prehospital Trauma Life Support Special Trauma Considerations Flashcards
12 cards from real PHTLS practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 12 - Prehospital Trauma Life Support Special Trauma Considerations flashcards as text
How does pregnancy affect the assessment and management of a trauma patient according to PHTLS?
Answer: Physiologic changes of pregnancy alter vital sign interpretation and positioning, and there are two patients to consider
Pregnancy causes physiologic changes that alter vital sign interpretation, and both maternal and fetal well-being must be considered.
What unique considerations apply to geriatric trauma patients in PHTLS?
Answer: Decreased physiologic reserve, medication effects, and atypical presentations make assessment more challenging
Elderly patients have diminished physiologic reserve, take medications that mask shock signs, and often present atypically.
How should PHTLS providers approach trauma patients with obesity?
Answer: Airway management is more challenging, landmarks are obscured, medication dosing may differ, and extrication requires planning
Obesity presents unique challenges including difficult airway management, obscured anatomic landmarks, and equipment limitations.
What is the primary prehospital concern with blast injuries according to PHTLS?
Answer: Multi-mechanism injuries from blast wave, fragmentation, body displacement, and structural collapse
Blast injuries produce four distinct mechanisms of injury simultaneously, creating complex multi-system trauma.
How does PHTLS recommend managing trauma in patients with physical disabilities?
Answer: Baseline functional status must be established to identify new deficits, and standard protocols may need modification
Knowing the patient's pre-injury baseline is essential to distinguish new deficits from pre-existing conditions.
What environmental emergency does PHTLS teach as a complication of prolonged extrication in trauma?
Answer: Crush syndrome with risk of hyperkalemia and renal failure upon release
Crush syndrome occurs when prolonged compression of muscle tissue causes rhabdomyolysis, and upon release, toxic substances flood the circulation.
According to PHTLS, how does alcohol or drug intoxication affect trauma patient assessment?
Answer: Intoxication masks pain responses, alters mental status assessment, and increases the risk of aspiration and missed injuries
Intoxication complicates trauma assessment by masking pain, altering GCS scoring, and increasing aspiration risk.
What special considerations does PHTLS identify for pediatric trauma patients?
Answer: Children have proportionally larger heads, more flexible skeletons, and greater surface area-to-mass ratio affecting injury patterns and heat loss
Children's unique anatomy and physiology create different injury patterns and treatment considerations.
How does PHTLS recommend managing trauma patients who are on anticoagulant therapy?
Answer: These patients are at significantly increased risk of hemorrhage and may bleed from injuries that would normally be self-limiting
Anticoagulated patients bleed more profusely and for longer from injuries that might otherwise be self-limiting.
What does PHTLS teach about trauma in patients with implanted medical devices (pacemakers, defibrillators)?
Answer: Devices may malfunction after trauma, affect cardiac rhythm interpretation, and require awareness during defibrillation and procedures
Implanted devices can malfunction after blunt trauma, complicate rhythm interpretation, and require specific precautions during defibrillation.
According to PHTLS, what are the key considerations for managing trauma in an austere or prolonged field care environment?
Answer: Extended care capabilities, resource conservation, documentation, and reassessment cycles become critical priorities
When transport times are prolonged, providers must plan for extended patient care including ongoing monitoring and resource management.
How does PHTLS address the management of trauma in patients experiencing a behavioral health crisis?
Answer: Safety precautions, de-escalation, and maintaining a trauma-focused assessment despite behavioral challenges are essential
Patients in behavioral crisis may still have significant trauma. Safety, de-escalation, and methodical trauma evaluation must proceed while managing behavioral components.
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