Download PHTLS 10th Edition (Latest 2024) Questions with Complete Grade A+ Answers and more Exams Nursing in PDF only on Docsity! PHTLS 10th Edition (Latest 2024) Questions with Complete Grade A+ Answers 1. Which of the following requires you to develop a plan of action, initiate the plan, reassess the plan as care for the patient moves forward, and adjust the plan as the patient's condition or circumstances change? A. Principles of PHTLS B. The Golden Period C. The XABCDE assessment D. Critical thinking process - Answer- Question 1: D To help achieve the PHTLS goals, you will apply your critical thinking skills in the field. Critical thinking in medicine is a process in which the healthcare practitioner assesses the situation, the patient, and the resources available and uses the information to decide on and provide the best care for the patient. 2. When using the XABCDE assessment, which of the following takes precedence over all other actions? A. Controlling severe bleeding from a limb or other compressible site B. Airway stabilization and assessing circulatory status C. Exposing the body to allow a thorough evaluation D. Ensuring adequate breathing - Answer- Question 2: A The "X" placed before "ABCDE" in the primary survey refers to the need to address exsanguinating hemorrhage immediately after establishing scene safety and before addressing airway. Severe exsanguinating hemorrhage, particularly arterial bleeding, has the potential to lead to loss of total or near total blood volume in a relatively short period of time. 3. Which of the following is the basis on which a patient's chance of survival is maximized? A. Preferences B. Phases C. Principles D. Transport - Answer- Question 3: C The science of medicine provides the principles of medical care. Simply stated, principles define the duties required of the prehospital care practitioner in optimizing patient survival and outcome. 4. Which of the following is a goal of the Golden Period? A. Provide written documentation from field care to receiving hospital. B. Expedite the field care and transport of the patient. C. Use a team approach for optimal patient care. D. Use the XABCDE approach to patient assessment. - Answer- Question 4: B One of your most importantresponsibilities as a prehospital carepractitioner is to spend as little time onthe scene as possible and expedite yourfield care and transport of the patient.Studies show that the time from injuryto arrival at the appropriate site fordefinitive care is critical to survival. 1. You are called to the scene of a possible mass casualty motor vehicle collision on the highway. Once you arrive on scene, what is your first priority? A. Immediately begin triaging patients. B. Treat the patient with the most visible blood loss. C. Determine the need for additional resources. D. Assess the scene and ensure it is safe. - Answer- Question 1: D Ensure safety for responders, bystanders, and patient(s). The first consideration when approaching any scene is the safety of all emergency responders. When EMS personnel become victims, they not only can no longer assist others, but also add to the number of patients. 2. A trauma patient from the highway incident is holding her right arm, and you note a significant amount of blood steadily flowing from a long gash. This is an example of what type of hemorrhage? A. Capillary bleeding B. Venous bleeding C. Arterial bleeding D. Road rash - Answer- Question 2: B Venous bleeding typically results in a steady flow of dark red blood. B. Continue to reassess the patient and record the results for the trauma center. C. Treat your patient based on the test results. D. Stop testing and wait until you arrive at the trauma center for them to perform an assessment. - Answer- Question 1: A If there are inconsistent data from electronic monitoring devices, reassess to be sure the monitor matches the patient's current clinical condition. However, it is most important to treat the patient, not the monitor, so use other signs and symptoms of potential patient deterioration. 2. You have determined that you are going to need to perform orotracheal intubation on a 50-year-old male motor vehicle crash (MVC) critically injured trauma patient due to prolonged transport time. What do you need to do first? A. Preoxygenate to maximize oxygen saturation. B. Place the patient in a "sniffing"position. C. Clear the mouth of any obstructions. D. Prepare the patient for immediate transport. - Answer- Question 2: A Before insertion of any invasive airway, the patient is preoxygenated with a high concentration of oxygen using a simple airway adjunct or manual airway procedure. 3. You are oxygenating a pediatric patient using a properly fitted oxygen mask and the "squeeze-release- release" timing technique. As you watch for the rise and fall of the chest, you check end-tidal CO2 (ETCO2) monitoring aiming to maintain what level? A. Between 40 and 45 mm Hg B. Between 30 and 35 mm Hg C. Between 35 and 40 mm Hg D. The level is irrelevant because capnography is inaccurate in pediatric patients. - Answer- Question 3: C The proper level to maintain is between 35 and 40 mm Hg. 4. What is one reason to use capnography as part of your patient reassessment? A. To get accurate readings for blood pressure B. To assure proper ET tube placement C. To measure arterial blood saturation D. To ensure proper placement for needle decompression - Answer- Question 4: B Capnography can monitor proper endotracheal tube placement. It doesn't read blood pressure, so it cannot beused to determine if a patient is hypotensive. Pulse oximetry, not capnography, measures arterial blood saturation. Capnography is not useful in needle decompression. 1. Your partner is compressing the bleeding site of a male patient who was stabbed multiple times in the left chest. The bleeding seems to be controlled, yet the patient becomes combative. He is pale and is breathing rapidly, yet states that he "can't breathe" and feels that he is about to die. Your next step in patient management is to: A. start assisted ventilation. B. give high-flow oxygen. C. decompress the left chest. D. give a 250-mL fluid bolus. - Answer- Question 1: C After X come A and B. You can quickly auscultate the lungs (pneumothorax is almost certain with multiple stabs in the chest) and decompress the chest. Decompressing a tension pneumothorax is the quickest way to treat shock. 2. The patient's respiration improves markedly, but he remains confused. He has an absent radial pulse, and his carotid pulse is fast and thready. Your partner asks if he can let the compression go to put in an IV. How should you respond? A. "Oh yes, that's a great idea!" B. "Yes, but we have to immobilize him first" C. "Take a blood pressure first to see if he needs an IV." D. "No, keep the pressure and let's get out of here!" - Answer- Question 2: D This patient is likely in decompensated shock with internal bleeding, so rapid transport is the next priority. You should maintain pressure on the wound, because having massive external bleeding start up again is the last thing you want in this situation. 3. While en route to the hospital, you manage to put an 18-gauge IV in the right arm. Your patient is still confused, and you still have no radial pulse. Your next move is to: A. give 1-L fluid bolus. B. give one 250-mL fluid bolus, and then stop. C. give fluid until you get a radial pulse. D. administer TXA. - Answer- Question 3: C Now is the time to titrate IV fluids to restore tissue perfusion. Giving 1 liter blindly could overshoot your target pressure and reinforce internal bleeding. TXA is not a priority, although it can run parallel to fluids. 4. After 400 mL of lactated Ringer solution, you get a radial pulse and his level of consciousness improves. The monitor shows heart rate 110 beats/minute, blood pressure 85/60mm Hg, SpO2 95%, ventilation rate 25 breaths/minute. What should you do? A. Give an additional 500 mL of lactated Ringer solution. B. Stop fluids and give 2 g of TXA. C. Give TXA and 500 mL of normal saline. D. Give 2 mg of morphine for analgesia. - Answer- Question 4: B The patient does not need more fluids right now. Giving morphine in a shocked patient is a risky move and could lead to dangerous hypotension. 5. You now perform a secondary survey. You notice a sternotomy scar. Your patient tells you he is on oral clopidogrel since he had a coronary artery bypass graft 2 years ago. Is this information useful? A. No, he should stop talking and breathe. B. Yes, he should see a cardiologist once in the local hospital. C. Yes, he will need platelets and a heart surgeon ASAP. D. Yes, you should raise his blood pressure up to 130 mm Hg systolic. - Answer- Question 5: C Because he is on clopidogrel, his platelets are out of order for at least 5 days, so he will require urgent platelet transfusion. 1. You're called out to an assisted living facility for a 72-year-old woman complaining of a severe headache and experiencing increased confusion. Staff reports she fell out of her wheelchair earlier in the week but didn't appear to be hurt; however, she's become increasingly disoriented over the last day or so. Vital signs show: BP 110/90; heartrate 118 and irregularly regular; ventilation rate 20 and slightly labored; SpO2 93% on room air. She is taking warfarin for a clotting issue. Which of the following should you suspect? A. Cerebral contusion B. Epidural hematoma C. Subarachnoid hemorrhage . Breathing: bilateral . Circulation: skin warm, flushed, dry . Pulse rate: 112 bpm, strong andregular . BP: 90/42 mm Hg . Pain: Patient complains of severe pain at clavicle site and pain on inspiration at site of possible fractured ribs. No other injuries detected. What is your next step? A. Apply a cervical collar and in-line immobilization device. B. Treat for hypovolemic shock. C. Apply an arm sling for the clavicle injury. D. Administer pain medication. - Answer- Question 2: A Although the patient's GCS is normal, she does have a distracting injury, and the state of her helmet indicates possible spinal compression/flexion, so you should immobilize the patient. 3. When securing a patient to a backboard, which body part should you secure first? A. Head B. Torso C. Legs D. Pelvis - Answer- Question 3: B When immobilizing a patient, you should secure the torso first, then the head, the legs, and the pelvis. 4. What type of padding should you provide for this patient? A. Use compressible padding under the shoulders and torso to prevent hyperflexion. B. Use firm padding between the back of the head and the backboard to prevent hyperextension. C. Do not use any padding. It can cause extension or flexion in the neck. D. No padding needed, but to avoid decreased venous return you should tip the backboard to a left lateral position. - Answer- Question 4: B Because the patient is an adult, you should use firm padding between the back of the head and the backboard to prevent hyperextension. You would pad a child's shoulder and torso to prevent hyperflexion, and you would tip the backboard for a pregnant patient to prevent decreased venous return. 5. While attempting to lay the patient supine for spinal motion restriction she becomes increasingly distressed and complains of shortness of breath and difficulty breathing. The fractured clavicle appears to move distally and increases the difficulty of breathing as the patient lies back. What should you do? A. Tip the backboard to a left lateral position. B. Raise the back of the stretcher. C. Let her sit up in a position of comfort. D. Administer morphine. - Answer- Question 5: B Because laying the patient supine increases the risk of airway/ventilation problems, raising the back of the stretchers slightly fundamentally maintains spinal alignment while reducing the ventilation issues. 1. You and your partner are responding to a call for a 2-year-old patient with a burn injury to the hand. He has a visible burn to the left hand, ending at the level above the wrist, red color, and wet in appearance. What type of burn do you suspect the patient has sustained? A. Superficial (first degree) B. Partial thickness (second degree) C. Full thickness (third degree) D. Subdermal (fourth degree) - Answer- Question 1: B Scald burns are the most common burns seen in the pediatric population ages 1 to 5 years. Scalds are partial thickness burns. The dermal layer is damaged, and blisters are present or popped. It is also the most painful type of burn. 2. The patient's care giver is a babysitter who reports the child was crawling on the counter and placed his hand in a pot of water that was boiling on the stove. She is applying ice to the burn and the child is shivering. What is your next step? A. Administer analgesia for pain. B. Cover the patient with a blanket to stop the shivering. C. Start IV for fluid resuscitation. D. Stop the burning process and remove the ice pack. - Answer- Question 2: D A common error that results in damage to the zone of stasis is the application of ice by a bystander or prehospital care practitioner. When ice is applied to a burn, the patient will experience some reduction in pain; however, the pain relief will be at the expense of additional tissue destruction. 3. After exposing the patient, no other burn injuries were found, but blisters have started to form on the hand and the child is crying from pain. How should you manage the blisters? A. Lance the blisters to drain the fluidand relieve the pressure. B. Cover the injury with a dry, loose, sterile dressing, being sure to leave the blisters intact. C. Use a topical antibiotic ointment and firmly wrap the burn injury. D. Establish an IV for fluid resuscitation. - Answer- Question 3: B In the prehospital setting, blisters are generally best left alone during the relatively short transport time. Blisters that have already ruptured should be covered with a clean, dry dressing. 1. Your patient is experiencing severe pain after sustaining a femur fracture in a motorcycle crash. You have a 20 minute transport to the nearest trauma center. There are no other injuries noted on your primary and secondary assessments. Which of the following medications would be the best pain management choice? A. NSAIDs B. Acetaminophen C. Fentanyl D. Morphine - Answer- Question 1: C Fentanyl is often a first-line agent due to speed of onset, short duration of action, and minimal effect on hemodynamics. Fentanyl can beadministered IN, IM, IO, or IV. The IV route provides effects instantly whereasthe IN and IM route have an onset of <10 minutes. The duration of fentanyl is short at 30 minutes to an hour. This will provide enough time to ease pain during transport and let the traumacenter decide pain management upon arrival. 2. You are responding to a call to an MVC involving one patient. When you perform your primary survey, you find a patent airway, but abnormalities with breathing and circulation. You suspect hypovolemic shock, but cannot determine the source. What does this finding most likely indicate? A. Hemothorax B. Intra-abdominal bleed C. Blunt cardiac injury D. Diaphragmatic rupture - Answer- Question 2: B The most reliable indicator of an intraabdominal bleed is the presence of hypovolemic shock from an unexplained source.