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

Progressive hoarseness and stridor in a burn patient indicate developing airway edema that may rapidly progress to complete obstruction.

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

Supraglottic devices do not provide a definitive seal around the trachea, so active bleeding can track around the device and be aspirated.

Question 3

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

Accepted Answer

Maxillofacial trauma with bleeding and structural disruption

Answer

Maxillofacial trauma commonly causes airway compromise through structural disruption, bleeding, loose teeth or bone fragments, and soft tissue swelling.

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

Suctioning should be limited to 10-second intervals in adults to prevent hypoxia, with pre-oxygenation when possible.

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

Surgical cricothyrotomy is the final step in the 'cannot intubate, cannot oxygenate' pathway when all other airway methods have failed.

PHTLS - Prehospital Trauma Life Support Practice Test

PHTLS - Prehospital Trauma Life Support Practice Test

PHTLS - Prehospital Trauma Life Support Airway and Ventilation 3