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TNCC 9TH EDITION TRAUMA NURSING PROCESS (TNP)
PRACTICE QUESTIONS STUDY GUIDE | LATEST UPDATE
2026/2027 | ACTUAL EXAM | PRACTICE QUESTIONS AND
ANSWERS | EXAM REVIEW | 100% CORRECT ANSWERS |
VERIFIED SOLUTIONS |A DISTICTION GRADES.
This comprehensive practice examination is designed for registered nurses and healthcare
providers preparing for the Trauma Nursing Core Course (TNCC) 9th Edition Provider
Examination, with specific focus on the Trauma Nursing Process (TNP). The TNP is the
systematic framework that guides trauma nurses through initial assessment, rapid
intervention, and ongoing evaluation of trauma patients. This practice test contains 150
carefully constructed questions that reflect the clinical scenarios, cognitive demand, and
evidence-based practice standards of the actual TNCC 9th Edition exam. Each question
includes a detailed rationale explaining the correct answer and why alternatives are less
appropriate, reinforcing the five phases of the Trauma Nursing Process: preparation and
triage, primary survey, secondary survey, reevaluation, and definitive care. Use this guide to
identify knowledge gaps, strengthen clinical reasoning, and enhance test-taking confidence
for the 2026–2027 examination cycle.
Table of Contents
1. Preparation and Triage Phase
2. Primary Survey: Airway and Breathing
3. Primary Survey: Circulation and Disability
4. Primary Survey: Exposure and Environmental Control
5. Secondary Survey: Head-to-Toe Assessment
6. Reevaluation and Ongoing Monitoring
7. Definitive Care and Transfer
8. Special Populations: Pediatric Trauma
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9. Special Populations: Geriatric Trauma
10. Special Populations: Pregnancy and Intimate Partner Violence
1: During the preparation and triage phase, what is the primary responsibility of the trauma
nurse?
A) Administering pain medication
B) Ensuring equipment and team readiness before patient arrival
C) Completing the patient's discharge paperwork
D) Contacting the patient's family
Correct Answer: B
The preparation and triage phase focuses on readiness: ensuring the trauma bay is set up,
equipment is functional, team roles are assigned, and personal protective equipment is
available. Pain medication, discharge paperwork, and family contact occur later in the
process.
2: Which of the following best describes the trauma nursing process?
A) A linear sequence that never repeats
B) A systematic, cyclical approach to trauma care
C) A process used only in the prehospital setting
D) A documentation method only
Correct Answer: B
The trauma nursing process is cyclical and systematic, allowing for continuous reevaluation
and adjustment of priorities as the patient's condition changes. It is used in hospital settings,
not just prehospital, and is an active process, not just documentation.
3: What is the recommended temperature of the trauma resuscitation room?
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A) 60°F (15.6°C)
B) 70°F (21.1°C)
C) 75-80°F (23.9-26.7°C)
D) 85-90°F (29.4-32.2°C)
Correct Answer: C
The trauma room should be maintained at 75-80°F to prevent hypothermia in the trauma
patient, who is already at risk due to exposure, shock, and fluid administration. Cooler
temperatures exacerbate coagulopathy and worsen outcomes.
4: During triage of multiple trauma patients, which patient should be prioritized for immediate
intervention?
A) Alert patient with a deformed forearm
B) Patient with absent radial pulses and tachypnea
C) Patient with a closed femur fracture
D) Patient with facial lacerations
Correct Answer: B
The patient with absent radial pulses and tachypnea shows signs of decompensated shock and
respiratory distress, indicating life-threatening conditions requiring immediate attention. The
other patients have injuries that are not immediately life-threatening.
5: What is the first component of the primary survey?
A) Breathing assessment
B) Airway with cervical spine protection
C) Circulation assessment
D) Disability assessment
Correct Answer: B
The primary survey follows ABCDE: Airway with cervical spine protection is first, followed by
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Breathing, Circulation, Disability, and Exposure. Airway management takes precedence
because without a patent airway, all other interventions are futile.
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6: A trauma patient is speaking in full sentences. What does this indicate about their airway?
A) The airway is partially obstructed
B) The airway is patent and adequate
C) The patient has a laryngeal injury
D) The patient needs immediate intubation
Correct Answer: B
Speaking in full sentences indicates a patent airway and adequate air movement. Partial
obstruction would cause hoarseness or stridor, laryngeal injury would present differently, and
intubation is not needed when the airway is clearly patent.
7: What is the correct technique for opening the airway in a trauma patient with a suspected
cervical spine injury?
A) Head-tilt chin-lift
B) Jaw thrust maneuver
C) Neck hyperextension
D) Oropharyngeal airway insertion only
Correct Answer: B
The jaw thrust maneuver opens the airway without moving the cervical spine, protecting
against secondary spinal cord injury. Head-tilt chin-lift and hyperextension move the neck,
risking injury. An OPA is an adjunct, not a technique for opening the airway.
8: During breathing assessment, the nurse notes that the patient's left chest does not rise with
inspiration. What is the priority action?
TNCC 9TH EDITION TRAUMA NURSING PROCESS (TNP)
PRACTICE QUESTIONS STUDY GUIDE | LATEST UPDATE
2026/2027 | ACTUAL EXAM | PRACTICE QUESTIONS AND
ANSWERS | EXAM REVIEW | 100% CORRECT ANSWERS |
VERIFIED SOLUTIONS |A DISTICTION GRADES.
This comprehensive practice examination is designed for registered nurses and healthcare
providers preparing for the Trauma Nursing Core Course (TNCC) 9th Edition Provider
Examination, with specific focus on the Trauma Nursing Process (TNP). The TNP is the
systematic framework that guides trauma nurses through initial assessment, rapid
intervention, and ongoing evaluation of trauma patients. This practice test contains 150
carefully constructed questions that reflect the clinical scenarios, cognitive demand, and
evidence-based practice standards of the actual TNCC 9th Edition exam. Each question
includes a detailed rationale explaining the correct answer and why alternatives are less
appropriate, reinforcing the five phases of the Trauma Nursing Process: preparation and
triage, primary survey, secondary survey, reevaluation, and definitive care. Use this guide to
identify knowledge gaps, strengthen clinical reasoning, and enhance test-taking confidence
for the 2026–2027 examination cycle.
Table of Contents
1. Preparation and Triage Phase
2. Primary Survey: Airway and Breathing
3. Primary Survey: Circulation and Disability
4. Primary Survey: Exposure and Environmental Control
5. Secondary Survey: Head-to-Toe Assessment
6. Reevaluation and Ongoing Monitoring
7. Definitive Care and Transfer
8. Special Populations: Pediatric Trauma
,Page 2 of 60
9. Special Populations: Geriatric Trauma
10. Special Populations: Pregnancy and Intimate Partner Violence
1: During the preparation and triage phase, what is the primary responsibility of the trauma
nurse?
A) Administering pain medication
B) Ensuring equipment and team readiness before patient arrival
C) Completing the patient's discharge paperwork
D) Contacting the patient's family
Correct Answer: B
The preparation and triage phase focuses on readiness: ensuring the trauma bay is set up,
equipment is functional, team roles are assigned, and personal protective equipment is
available. Pain medication, discharge paperwork, and family contact occur later in the
process.
2: Which of the following best describes the trauma nursing process?
A) A linear sequence that never repeats
B) A systematic, cyclical approach to trauma care
C) A process used only in the prehospital setting
D) A documentation method only
Correct Answer: B
The trauma nursing process is cyclical and systematic, allowing for continuous reevaluation
and adjustment of priorities as the patient's condition changes. It is used in hospital settings,
not just prehospital, and is an active process, not just documentation.
3: What is the recommended temperature of the trauma resuscitation room?
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A) 60°F (15.6°C)
B) 70°F (21.1°C)
C) 75-80°F (23.9-26.7°C)
D) 85-90°F (29.4-32.2°C)
Correct Answer: C
The trauma room should be maintained at 75-80°F to prevent hypothermia in the trauma
patient, who is already at risk due to exposure, shock, and fluid administration. Cooler
temperatures exacerbate coagulopathy and worsen outcomes.
4: During triage of multiple trauma patients, which patient should be prioritized for immediate
intervention?
A) Alert patient with a deformed forearm
B) Patient with absent radial pulses and tachypnea
C) Patient with a closed femur fracture
D) Patient with facial lacerations
Correct Answer: B
The patient with absent radial pulses and tachypnea shows signs of decompensated shock and
respiratory distress, indicating life-threatening conditions requiring immediate attention. The
other patients have injuries that are not immediately life-threatening.
5: What is the first component of the primary survey?
A) Breathing assessment
B) Airway with cervical spine protection
C) Circulation assessment
D) Disability assessment
Correct Answer: B
The primary survey follows ABCDE: Airway with cervical spine protection is first, followed by
, Page 4 of 60
Breathing, Circulation, Disability, and Exposure. Airway management takes precedence
because without a patent airway, all other interventions are futile.
Page 2
6: A trauma patient is speaking in full sentences. What does this indicate about their airway?
A) The airway is partially obstructed
B) The airway is patent and adequate
C) The patient has a laryngeal injury
D) The patient needs immediate intubation
Correct Answer: B
Speaking in full sentences indicates a patent airway and adequate air movement. Partial
obstruction would cause hoarseness or stridor, laryngeal injury would present differently, and
intubation is not needed when the airway is clearly patent.
7: What is the correct technique for opening the airway in a trauma patient with a suspected
cervical spine injury?
A) Head-tilt chin-lift
B) Jaw thrust maneuver
C) Neck hyperextension
D) Oropharyngeal airway insertion only
Correct Answer: B
The jaw thrust maneuver opens the airway without moving the cervical spine, protecting
against secondary spinal cord injury. Head-tilt chin-lift and hyperextension move the neck,
risking injury. An OPA is an adjunct, not a technique for opening the airway.
8: During breathing assessment, the nurse notes that the patient's left chest does not rise with
inspiration. What is the priority action?
