TNCC 8th Ed Exam Study Guide 2026–2027: Complete
Exam Prep, Practice Questions & Detailed Answer
Explanations
Why is a measure of serum lactate obtained in the initial assessment of the trauma patient?
Answer: c - correct answers -a) to measure oxygenation and ventilation
b) to quantify the base deficit for the adequacy of cellular perfusion
c) *to gauge end-organ perfusion and tissue hypoxia **
d) to determine the underlying cause of shock
A trauma patient is restless and repeatedly asking "where am I?" vital signs upon arrival were BP 100/60
mm Hg, HR 96 beats/min, and RR 24 breaths/min. Her skin is cool and dry. Current vital signs are BP
104/84mm Hg, HR 108, RR 28 breaths/min. The patient is demonstrating signs and symptoms of which
stage of shock?
Answer: A - correct answers -A) compensated **
B) Progressive
C) irreversible
D) decompensated
An elderly patient with a history of anticoagulant use presents after a fall at home that day. she denies
any loss of consciousness. She has a hematoma to her forehead and complains of headache, dizziness,
and nausea. Which is a most likely cause of her symptoms?
1
,Answer: D - correct answers -A) epidural hematoma
B) diffuse axonal injury
C) post-concussive syndrome
D) subdural hematoma ***
EMS brings a patient who fell riding his bicycle. Using the American College of Surgeons screening
guidelines, which assessment finding would prompt the nurse to prepare the patient for radiologic spine
clearance?
Answer: D - correct answers -A) Alert with no neurologic deficits
B) Multiple abrasions to the extremities
C) Multiple requests of water
D) Smell of alcohol on breath ***
Which of the following occurs during the third impact of a motor vehicle crash?
Answer: C - correct answers -A) The driver of the vehicle collides with the steering wheel
B) the vehicle collides with a tree
C) the aorta is torn at its attachment with the ligamentum arteriosum***
D) the airbag deploys and strikes the front seat passenger
A passenger is brought to the emergency department of a rural hospital following a high-speed MVC.
When significant abdominal and pelvic injuries are noted in the primary survey, which of the following is
the priority interventions?
2
, Answer: A - correct answers -A) initiate transfer to a trauma center **
B) provide report to the operating room nurse
C) Obtained imaging studies
D) Place a gastric tube
Which of the following injuries is LEAST likely to be promptly identified?
Answer: C - correct answers -A) spleen
B) lung
C) bowel ***
D) brain
Patients with a crush injury should be monitored for which of the following conditions?
Answer: C - correct answers -A) Hypernatremia
B) Hypercalcemia
C) Dysrhythmias **
D) polyuria
What finding raises suspicion of complete spinal cord injury?
Answer: B - correct answers -A) Weakness in the lower extremities
B) Priapism ***
3
Exam Prep, Practice Questions & Detailed Answer
Explanations
Why is a measure of serum lactate obtained in the initial assessment of the trauma patient?
Answer: c - correct answers -a) to measure oxygenation and ventilation
b) to quantify the base deficit for the adequacy of cellular perfusion
c) *to gauge end-organ perfusion and tissue hypoxia **
d) to determine the underlying cause of shock
A trauma patient is restless and repeatedly asking "where am I?" vital signs upon arrival were BP 100/60
mm Hg, HR 96 beats/min, and RR 24 breaths/min. Her skin is cool and dry. Current vital signs are BP
104/84mm Hg, HR 108, RR 28 breaths/min. The patient is demonstrating signs and symptoms of which
stage of shock?
Answer: A - correct answers -A) compensated **
B) Progressive
C) irreversible
D) decompensated
An elderly patient with a history of anticoagulant use presents after a fall at home that day. she denies
any loss of consciousness. She has a hematoma to her forehead and complains of headache, dizziness,
and nausea. Which is a most likely cause of her symptoms?
1
,Answer: D - correct answers -A) epidural hematoma
B) diffuse axonal injury
C) post-concussive syndrome
D) subdural hematoma ***
EMS brings a patient who fell riding his bicycle. Using the American College of Surgeons screening
guidelines, which assessment finding would prompt the nurse to prepare the patient for radiologic spine
clearance?
Answer: D - correct answers -A) Alert with no neurologic deficits
B) Multiple abrasions to the extremities
C) Multiple requests of water
D) Smell of alcohol on breath ***
Which of the following occurs during the third impact of a motor vehicle crash?
Answer: C - correct answers -A) The driver of the vehicle collides with the steering wheel
B) the vehicle collides with a tree
C) the aorta is torn at its attachment with the ligamentum arteriosum***
D) the airbag deploys and strikes the front seat passenger
A passenger is brought to the emergency department of a rural hospital following a high-speed MVC.
When significant abdominal and pelvic injuries are noted in the primary survey, which of the following is
the priority interventions?
2
, Answer: A - correct answers -A) initiate transfer to a trauma center **
B) provide report to the operating room nurse
C) Obtained imaging studies
D) Place a gastric tube
Which of the following injuries is LEAST likely to be promptly identified?
Answer: C - correct answers -A) spleen
B) lung
C) bowel ***
D) brain
Patients with a crush injury should be monitored for which of the following conditions?
Answer: C - correct answers -A) Hypernatremia
B) Hypercalcemia
C) Dysrhythmias **
D) polyuria
What finding raises suspicion of complete spinal cord injury?
Answer: B - correct answers -A) Weakness in the lower extremities
B) Priapism ***
3
