PHTLS Special Trauma Considerations 5

Question 1

A 45-year-old male with morbid obesity (BMI 52) requires spinal motion restriction after a diving injury. The most significant challenge is:

Accepted Answer

Inability of standard cervical collars to fit and provide neutral alignment

Answer

Standard cervical collars often do not fit obese patients properly, requiring improvised or bariatric-specific devices to maintain spinal alignment.

Question 2

Which fetal heart rate finding, if obtainable in the field, would indicate fetal distress following maternal trauma?

Accepted Answer

Fetal heart rate less than 100 or greater than 180 beats per minute

Answer

Normal fetal heart rate is 120-160 bpm; bradycardia (<100 bpm) or tachycardia (>180 bpm) indicates fetal compromise requiring urgent intervention.

Question 3

A 6-year-old restrained passenger presents after a high-speed crash. The child appears stable but is crying and guarding the abdomen. Regarding transport decision-making, the PHTLS principle is:

Accepted Answer

Prioritize transport to a pediatric trauma center or trauma center with pediatric capability

Answer

Pediatric trauma patients should be transported to facilities with appropriate pediatric trauma capabilities to optimize outcomes.

Question 4

An elderly patient who takes aspirin daily sustains a scalp laceration with brisk bleeding. Compared to a patient not on antiplatelet therapy, the provider should anticipate:

Accepted Answer

Prolonged bleeding time requiring more aggressive hemorrhage control

Answer

Antiplatelet agents impair primary hemostasis, prolonging bleeding time and requiring more aggressive direct pressure and wound management.

Question 5

When managing a trauma patient who is also pregnant, fetal outcome is MOST directly dependent on:

Accepted Answer

Aggressive maternal resuscitation and stabilization

Answer

Fetal survival depends on maternal survival; aggressive maternal resuscitation to maintain perfusion pressure is the most critical prehospital intervention.

PHTLS - Prehospital Trauma Life Support Practice Test

PHTLS - Prehospital Trauma Life Support Practice Test

PHTLS Special Trauma Considerations 5