TCRN Trauma Nurse Practice 202 practice questions and answers 2026. Tap an option to test yourself — you'll see the correct answer and a plain-English explanation for every question. Free, no login.
Q21In a mass casualty incident, which age group is most likely to have the highest mortality rate?
✓ Correct answer: D. 75 years old to 85 years old
Answer: 75 years old to 85 years old. Older adults tend to have higher mortality rates in mass casualty incidents due to factors such as pre-existing health conditions and frailty, making it harder for them to survive severe injuries.
Q22During which phase of trauma care is the patient's ability to manage chronic pain most assessed?
✓ Correct answer: B. Reintegration phase
Answer: Reintegration phase There are four main phases of trauma care. These include: 1. Resuscitation phase: Immediate stabilization after trauma. 2. Critical care and intermediate care phase: Full medical stabilization is the focus. 3. Rehabilitation phase: The patient regains as much normal function as possible. 4. Reintegration phase: The patient resumes post-trauma life. Chronic pain will be addressed in the rehab phase, but the patient's ability to manage it independently becomes crucial during the reintegration phase, as they learn to live with and adapt to their long-term condition.
Q23Which of the following is not recommended at the bedside of a patient with a chest tube?
✓ Correct answer: C. A manual resuscitator bag with a face mask
Answer: A manual resuscitator bag with a face mask A manual resuscitator bag with a face mask is typically kept at the bedside of a patient with a tracheostomy tube but not for a patient with a chest tube. For a patient with a chest tube, it is recommended to keep a pair of chest tube clamps, an occlusive dressing, and a bottle of sterile water at the bedside.
Q24A patient falls from a 40-foot ladder and lands directly on their buttocks. What type of spine injury is likely to occur?
✓ Correct answer: C. Axial loading injury
Answer: Axial loading injury Impact absorbed by the buttocks will be transferred up the spine, which can cause an axial loading injury. This type of injury is due to energy being applied along the axis of the spine. Rotational injury occurs when one end of the spine is twisted relative to the other end, and hyperextension injury is caused when the head is thrown back too far.
Q25The nurse is assessing a trauma patient for the development of abdominal compartment syndrome. At what intra-abdominal pressure is medical intervention typically indicated to prevent this condition?
✓ Correct answer: B. 20 mm Hg
Answer: 20 mm Hg Medical intervention is typically indicated when intra-abdominal pressure reaches 20 mm Hg to prevent abdominal compartment syndrome. Intra-abdominal pressures in the range of 2 to 7 mm Hg are considered normal, while pressures of 12 mm Hg indicate the onset of intra-abdominal hypertension.
Q26Which of the following findings is most indicative of severe abdominal trauma?
✓ Correct answer: B. Periumbilical ecchymosis (Cullen's sign)
Answer: Periumbilical ecchymosis (Cullen's sign) Cullen's sign is characterized by periumbilical ecchymosis, which typically indicates retroperitoneal or intra-abdominal bleeding due to high-force trauma. While absent bowel sounds can be related to abdominal trauma, they are nonspecific. Hematuria may be present with trauma but does not specifically indicate the severity, and rebound tenderness indicates peritoneal irritation but is not as specific as Cullen's sign for severe injury.
Q27What is the correct formula to calculate the estimated bladder pressure (EBP) using intraperitoneal pressure (IPP) and abdominal wall compliance (AWC)?
✓ Correct answer: A. $$\frac{IPP + (2 \times AWC)}{3}$$
Answer: $$\frac{IPP + (2 \times AWC)}{3}$$ The correct calculation for EBP is $$\frac{IPP + (2 \times AWC)}{3}$$. EBP estimation takes into account the intraperitoneal pressure and the compliance of the abdominal wall, and provides a better estimate of the actual bladder pressure.
Q28Which of the following findings is most unlikely in a patient with a ruptured spleen?
✓ Correct answer: D. Muffled heart sounds
Answer: Muffled heart sounds Muffled heart sounds are commonly associated with cardiac tamponade, not with a ruptured spleen. Findings consistent with a ruptured spleen include left upper quadrant pain, hypotension, and referred pain to the left shoulder (Kehr's sign).
Q29A trauma nurse is assisting a patient who is an expectant mother and has just experienced a miscarriage. The patient's spouse requests that a religious ritual be performed for the lost fetus. The nurse understands that contacting a clergy to perform this ritual will help to alleviate which of the following forms of psychological stress injury?
✓ Correct answer: B. Moral injury
Answer: Moral injury Moral injury is caused by inner conflict due to behaviors or witnessing behaviors that violate moral values. The patient's spouse may experience moral injury if the religious ritual is not performed. Grief injury is caused by the loss of cherished people, things, or parts of one's self. Grief injury is likely to occur due to the loss of the fetus, regardless of whether the religious ritual is performed or not. Fatigue injury describes a psychological stress injury caused by the accumulation of stress over time without sufficient rest and recovery. Trauma injury is caused by the experience of death, provoking terror, horror, or helplessness.
Q30A trauma nurse observes a colleague documenting a patient's vital signs inaccurately in an extremely busy emergency department. Which ethical principle should prompt the trauma nurse to address this documentation error?
✓ Correct answer: B. Veracity
Answer: Veracity The principle of veracity involves truth-telling and honesty. The trauma nurse should correct the documentation error to ensure that the patient's medical records are accurate and truthful. Autonomy refers to allowing individuals to make their own decisions. Beneficence involves doing good and promoting the well-being of others. Justice involves treating others fairly and equitably.
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