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

For a patient experiencing shock, the recommended position is the supine position with legs elevated. This position helps to improve venous return to the heart by allowing gravity to assist blood flow from the legs back to the thoracic cavity, which enhances cardiac output and ultimately improves perfusion to vital organs. Elevating the legs can help counteract the effects of hypovolemia, which is often present in shock situations, by facilitating better blood flow and helping to stabilize the patient's condition.

In contrast, sitting upright can place increased stress on the body and may hinder blood circulation, especially in a state of shock where maintaining perfusion is critical. The prone position, while useful in certain specific trauma scenarios, does not assist with perfusion and can complicate airway management in a shock patient. Allowing patients to find any comfortable position does not prioritize the physiological needs during shock and may hinder effective treatment. Therefore, the supine position with legs elevated is the most effective method to support circulatory stability in patients experiencing shock.