BURN & TRAUMA NURSING CRITICAL CARE QUESTIONS AND CORRECT ANSWERS (VERIFIED ANSWERS)
PLUS RATIONALES 2026 Q&A |LATEST EXAM UPDATE 2026/2027
CORE DOMAINS
Burn Pathophysiology and Wound Healing*
Fluid Resuscitation and Hemodynamic Monitoring*
Infection Control and Sepsis Management*
Airway Management and Ventilator Support*
Pain Management and Sedation*
Surgical Interventions and Wound Care*
Psychosocial Support and Rehabilitation*
Legal and Ethical Considerations in Trauma Care*
Multi-System Trauma Assessment*
Critical Care Pharmacology*
,INTRODUCTION
This comprehensive examination assesses the knowledge, clinical judgment, and critical thinking skills required for
professional nursing practice in burn and trauma critical care settings. The exam evaluates competency across
foundational pathophysiology, advanced hemodynamic monitoring, infection prevention, airway and ventilator
management, pharmacological interventions, and ethical decision-making. Candidates will encounter multiple-
choice questions and clinical scenarios that mirror real-world critical care situations. The assessment emphasizes
rapid clinical decision-making, prioritization of care, interdisciplinary collaboration, and application of evidence-
based practice. Success on this examination demonstrates readiness to deliver safe, effective, and compassionate
care to critically ill burn and trauma patients across the continuum from resuscitation through rehabilitation.
SECTION ONE: QUESTIONS 1–100
Question 1: A patient with 45% total body surface area (TBSA) full-thickness burns arrives at the emergency
department 2 hours post-injury. Using the Parkland formula, how much lactated Ringer's solution should be
administered in the first 8 hours?
A. 2 mL x weight (kg) x %TBSA
B. 4 mL x weight (kg) x %TBSA
,C. 6 mL x weight (kg) x %TBSA
D. 8 mL x weight (kg) x %TBSA
🟢 B. 4 mL x weight (kg) x %TBSA
🔴 RATIONALE: The Parkland formula calculates fluid requirements as 4 mL of lactated Ringer's solution
multiplied by the patient's weight in kilograms multiplied by the percentage of total body surface area burned.
One-half of this total volume is administered in the first 8 hours from the time of injury, and the remaining half
is given over the subsequent 16 hours. This formula remains the standard for burn resuscitation.
Question 2: During the emergent phase of burn injury, which electrolyte abnormality is most commonly
associated with massive tissue destruction?
A. Hypernatremia
B. Hypokalemia
C. Hyperkalemia
D. Hyponatremia
🟢 C. Hyperkalemia
, 🔴 RATIONALE: Massive tissue destruction releases intracellular potassium into the extracellular fluid.
Additionally, hemolysis of red blood cells and metabolic acidosis contribute to elevated serum potassium levels.
Hyperkalemia is a life-threatening electrolyte disturbance during the emergent phase of burn injury and
requires immediate intervention.
Question 3: A burn patient develops circumferential eschar on the chest. The nurse should prioritize which
intervention?
A. Administering intravenous antibiotics
B. Performing an escharotomy
C. Initiating enteral nutrition
D. Applying topical silver sulfadiazine
🟢 B. Performing an escharotomy
🔴 RATIONALE: Circumferential full-thickness burns create a tourniquet effect as edema develops beneath the
inelastic eschar. On the chest, this restricts chest wall expansion and impairs ventilation. An escharotomy is an
emergency surgical incision through the eschar to the subcutaneous fat, relieving pressure and restoring chest
wall compliance.
PLUS RATIONALES 2026 Q&A |LATEST EXAM UPDATE 2026/2027
CORE DOMAINS
Burn Pathophysiology and Wound Healing*
Fluid Resuscitation and Hemodynamic Monitoring*
Infection Control and Sepsis Management*
Airway Management and Ventilator Support*
Pain Management and Sedation*
Surgical Interventions and Wound Care*
Psychosocial Support and Rehabilitation*
Legal and Ethical Considerations in Trauma Care*
Multi-System Trauma Assessment*
Critical Care Pharmacology*
,INTRODUCTION
This comprehensive examination assesses the knowledge, clinical judgment, and critical thinking skills required for
professional nursing practice in burn and trauma critical care settings. The exam evaluates competency across
foundational pathophysiology, advanced hemodynamic monitoring, infection prevention, airway and ventilator
management, pharmacological interventions, and ethical decision-making. Candidates will encounter multiple-
choice questions and clinical scenarios that mirror real-world critical care situations. The assessment emphasizes
rapid clinical decision-making, prioritization of care, interdisciplinary collaboration, and application of evidence-
based practice. Success on this examination demonstrates readiness to deliver safe, effective, and compassionate
care to critically ill burn and trauma patients across the continuum from resuscitation through rehabilitation.
SECTION ONE: QUESTIONS 1–100
Question 1: A patient with 45% total body surface area (TBSA) full-thickness burns arrives at the emergency
department 2 hours post-injury. Using the Parkland formula, how much lactated Ringer's solution should be
administered in the first 8 hours?
A. 2 mL x weight (kg) x %TBSA
B. 4 mL x weight (kg) x %TBSA
,C. 6 mL x weight (kg) x %TBSA
D. 8 mL x weight (kg) x %TBSA
🟢 B. 4 mL x weight (kg) x %TBSA
🔴 RATIONALE: The Parkland formula calculates fluid requirements as 4 mL of lactated Ringer's solution
multiplied by the patient's weight in kilograms multiplied by the percentage of total body surface area burned.
One-half of this total volume is administered in the first 8 hours from the time of injury, and the remaining half
is given over the subsequent 16 hours. This formula remains the standard for burn resuscitation.
Question 2: During the emergent phase of burn injury, which electrolyte abnormality is most commonly
associated with massive tissue destruction?
A. Hypernatremia
B. Hypokalemia
C. Hyperkalemia
D. Hyponatremia
🟢 C. Hyperkalemia
, 🔴 RATIONALE: Massive tissue destruction releases intracellular potassium into the extracellular fluid.
Additionally, hemolysis of red blood cells and metabolic acidosis contribute to elevated serum potassium levels.
Hyperkalemia is a life-threatening electrolyte disturbance during the emergent phase of burn injury and
requires immediate intervention.
Question 3: A burn patient develops circumferential eschar on the chest. The nurse should prioritize which
intervention?
A. Administering intravenous antibiotics
B. Performing an escharotomy
C. Initiating enteral nutrition
D. Applying topical silver sulfadiazine
🟢 B. Performing an escharotomy
🔴 RATIONALE: Circumferential full-thickness burns create a tourniquet effect as edema develops beneath the
inelastic eschar. On the chest, this restricts chest wall expansion and impairs ventilation. An escharotomy is an
emergency surgical incision through the eschar to the subcutaneous fat, relieving pressure and restoring chest
wall compliance.
