Prehospital Trauma Life Support (PHTLS) 2025 – 400 Free Practice Questions to Pass the Exam

Identifying the mechanism of injury is a critical component of primary assessments in trauma care. This process involves understanding how the injury occurred, which provides vital information about potential injuries and the severity of those injuries. Mechanism of injury helps to assess the forces involved, whether they were blunt, penetrating, or caused by a fall, and assists in predicting possible injuries to specific body systems.

For instance, knowing that a patient was involved in a high-speed motor vehicle collision may lead a provider to suspect spinal, thoracic, or abdominal injuries, prompting more focused assessments and interventions. This understanding guides the decisions around initial treatment, transport, and prioritization of care in the prehospital setting.

While assessing medical history can be valuable in certain scenarios, understanding the mechanism of injury directly influences trauma management since different mechanisms can mandate different interventions. Evaluating the patient's social situation, while important for comprehensive care, does not impact the immediate clinical assessment of injuries. Measuring the patient's height and weight is typically not relevant in acute trauma assessments, as the focus should remain on identifying and managing life-threatening conditions arising from the trauma itself.