PHTLS 7th Edition 5

Question 1

A motorcyclist struck a guardrail at high speed and presents with paradoxical chest wall movement over the left chest. The MOST likely diagnosis is:

Accepted Answer

Flail chest

Answer

Paradoxical movement (segment moves inward on inspiration) with multiple rib fractures indicates a flail segment.

Question 2

In pediatric trauma, which physiological characteristic allows children to maintain normal blood pressure longer despite significant blood loss?

Accepted Answer

Greater compensatory vasoconstriction reserve

Answer

Children have a robust sympathetic response and can vasoconstrict effectively, maintaining BP until 25-30% blood loss.

Question 3

According to PHTLS principles, which intervention has the HIGHEST priority in a patient with an isolated penetrating neck injury and expanding hematoma?

Accepted Answer

Airway management

Answer

An expanding hematoma can rapidly compress the airway; securing the airway before it is lost is the immediate priority.

Question 4

The PHTLS concept of 'platinum ten minutes' refers to:

Accepted Answer

Recommended on-scene time before transporting a critical trauma patient

Answer

PHTLS recommends limiting on-scene time to 10 minutes or less for critical trauma patients to reach definitive surgical care quickly.

Question 5

A construction worker falls 20 feet and lands feet-first. Besides calcaneal fractures, which associated injuries should the PHTLS provider MOST suspect?

Accepted Answer

Lumbar spine compression fractures and hip fractures

Answer

Axial loading from a feet-first fall transmits force up through the calcanei, ankles, and long bones into the lumbar spine and hips.

PHTLS - Prehospital Trauma Life Support Practice Test

PHTLS - Prehospital Trauma Life Support Practice Test

PHTLS 7th Edition 5