Prehospital Trauma Life Support (PHTLS) Practice Test 2025 – All-in-One Resource to Ensure Exam Success!

Managing an unresponsive patient requires immediate and effective action to ensure their safety and provide necessary medical intervention. The primary concern in such a situation is the patient's airway. When a person is unresponsive, there is a significant risk of airway obstruction, either due to loss of tone in the muscles that support the airway or by aspiration if they vomit.

Assessing the airway is crucial because it allows the responder to determine if the airway is patent or if there is an obstruction that needs to be cleared. Providing oxygen if needed is vital since unresponsiveness can lead to hypoxia, which can have serious consequences if not addressed promptly. Furthermore, preparing for advanced airway management may be necessary if the basic interventions do not adequately secure the airway.

The other options do not prioritize airway management as effectively. Immediate fluids without assessing the airway might lead to further complications, as the patient may not handle fluids well due to potential airway issues. Administering pain relief medication is inappropriate because an unresponsive patient may not be able to protect their airway, and such medications could further compromise their respiratory function. Positioning the patient upright could be hazardous given their unresponsive status, as it may not provide adequate airway protection and could lead to aspiration.

Thus, the focus on