ATCN TRAUMA NURSING CERTIFICATION
EXAM SCRIPT 2026 PRIMARY AND
SECONDARY SURVEY FULL PRACTICE
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
◉ goals during head trauma
Answer: recognize potential for injury
optimize oxygenation, ventilation, and hemodynamic status to
prevent secondary injury
decrease of prevent increased ICP
maintain adequate CPP (cerebral perfusion pressure)
◉ CPP equation
Answer: MAP - ICP
◉ normal ICP
Answer: 0-10 mm Hg
, ◉ bad ICP
Answer: >20 mm Hg
◉ normal CPP
Answer: 70-100
◉ low end of acceptable CPP
Answer: 60-70
◉ cushing's triad
Answer: rise in SBP with widening pulse pressure
bradycardia
irregular breathing patterns, usually bradypnea
◉ complications of uncontrolled ICP
Answer: herniation, cerebral hypoxia
◉ GCS scores for coma
Answer: 3-8
EXAM SCRIPT 2026 PRIMARY AND
SECONDARY SURVEY FULL PRACTICE
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
◉ goals during head trauma
Answer: recognize potential for injury
optimize oxygenation, ventilation, and hemodynamic status to
prevent secondary injury
decrease of prevent increased ICP
maintain adequate CPP (cerebral perfusion pressure)
◉ CPP equation
Answer: MAP - ICP
◉ normal ICP
Answer: 0-10 mm Hg
, ◉ bad ICP
Answer: >20 mm Hg
◉ normal CPP
Answer: 70-100
◉ low end of acceptable CPP
Answer: 60-70
◉ cushing's triad
Answer: rise in SBP with widening pulse pressure
bradycardia
irregular breathing patterns, usually bradypnea
◉ complications of uncontrolled ICP
Answer: herniation, cerebral hypoxia
◉ GCS scores for coma
Answer: 3-8
