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

In assessing a patient with suspected internal bleeding, it is crucial to evaluate signs that may indicate a significant and potentially life-threatening condition. Signs of shock such as altered mental status, weak or rapid pulse, and low blood pressure can indicate that the body's organs are not receiving adequate blood supply due to internal bleeding. Abdominal tenderness and distension are particularly important as they can suggest internal bleeding in the abdominal cavity, commonly associated with trauma or injury.

Referred pain—pain felt in a different location from where the injury occurred—is also a key assessment parameter, especially in cases of splenic or liver injuries, where the patient might experience pain in areas that are not directly affected.

This comprehensive assessment approach allows for early recognition of critical issues related to internal bleeding, leading to prompt interventions and improved outcomes for the patient. The other options, while containing elements that may be relevant in a broader trauma assessment, do not directly focus on the specific signs and symptoms associated with internal bleeding.