PHTLS - Prehospital Trauma Life Support Airway and Ventilation 3

Question 1

A trauma patient with facial burns develops progressive hoarseness and stridor. What does PHTLS recommend?

Accepted Answer

Early definitive airway management before complete obstruction occurs

Answer

Monitor closely and transport; intubation can wait

Answer

Administer nebulized epinephrine and observe

Answer

Apply supplemental oxygen only and reassess

Question 2

What complication should be anticipated when using a supraglottic airway device in a patient with active upper airway bleeding?

Accepted Answer

Aspiration of blood around an imperfect seal

Answer

Device malfunction from blood exposure

Answer

Automatic deflation of the device cuff

Answer

Increased intracranial pressure

Question 3

PHTLS teaches that which trauma mechanism most frequently leads to airway compromise?

Accepted Answer

Maxillofacial trauma with bleeding and structural disruption

Answer

Isolated extremity fractures

Answer

Blunt abdominal trauma

Answer

Simple rib fractures

Question 4

What is the recommended technique for suctioning a trauma patient's airway?

Accepted Answer

Intermittent suctioning for no more than 10 seconds at a time in adults

Answer

Continuous suctioning for 30 seconds at a time

Answer

Suctioning only during inhalation phase

Answer

Deep tracheal suctioning without pre-oxygenation

Question 5

According to PHTLS, when is a surgical cricothyrotomy indicated in a trauma patient?

Accepted Answer

When the airway cannot be secured by any other method and ventilation is inadequate

Answer

As the first-line airway management technique for all trauma

Answer

Only when the patient is in cardiac arrest

Answer

Whenever endotracheal intubation fails on the first attempt

Question 6

What is the significance of end-tidal CO2 monitoring (capnography) in prehospital trauma care?

Accepted Answer

It provides continuous monitoring of ventilation adequacy, perfusion status, and tube position

Answer

It only confirms endotracheal tube placement

Answer

It replaces pulse oximetry entirely

Answer

It is only useful during CPR