CLS TCCC Combat Lifesaver Course Exam Newest Actual Exam With Complete
Questions And Correct Detailed Answers (Verified Answers) |Already Graded A+
Question 1
In Tactical Combat Casualty Care (TCCC), what is the very first priority during the "Care Under
Fire" phase?
A) Establish an airway
B) Return fire and gain fire superiority
C) Apply a deliberate tourniquet 2 inches above the wound
D) Perform a rapid trauma assessment
E) Check for a carotid pulse
Correct Answer: B) Return fire and gain fire superiority
Rationale: In the Care Under Fire (CUF) phase, the tactical environment is the most
significant threat. The best medicine on the battlefield is fire superiority. If the responder
or the casualty is still under effective enemy fire, providing medical care increases the risk
of becoming a casualty themselves. By returning fire and suppressing the enemy, the
responder prevents further injuries and creates a window of relative safety to perform life-
saving interventions, which are limited solely to major extremity hemorrhage control
during this phase.
Question 2
When applying a "hasty" tourniquet during the Care Under Fire phase, where should it be
placed?
A) Directly over the wound
B) 2-3 inches above the wound, on the skin
C) Over the clothing, as high as possible on the limb ("High and Tight")
D) Distal to the wound to preserve the joint
E) On the joint nearest to the injury
Correct Answer: C) Over the clothing, as high as possible on the limb ("High and Tight")
Rationale: During the Care Under Fire phase, the responder is under extreme stress and
likely under fire. There is no time to expose the wound or perform a detailed assessment of
the injury site. Placing the tourniquet "high and tight" over the clothing ensures that the
pressure is applied proximal to any potential arterial bleed that might be hidden by
, 2
clothing or tactical gear. This is a temporary life-saving measure that is re-evaluated during
the Tactical Field Care phase.
Question 3
Which of the following is the most common cause of preventable death on the battlefield?
A) Tension pneumothorax
B) Airway obstruction
C) Extremity hemorrhage
D) Blast-induced brain injury
E) Hypovolemic shock from internal bleeding
Correct Answer: C) Extremity hemorrhage
Rationale: Statistical data from modern combat operations shows that exsanguination
(bleeding out) from extremity wounds remains the leading cause of preventable death.
Arterial bleeding from an arm or leg can lead to death within minutes. Because these
injuries occur on the limbs, they are accessible and treatable with CoTCCC-approved
tourniquets. Tension pneumothorax is the second leading cause, followed by airway
obstruction.
Question 4
A casualty has been moved to a position of cover and is now in the "Tactical Field Care" phase.
What is the first step of the MARCH algorithm?
A) Airway Management
B) Massive Hemorrhage
C) Circulation
D) Head and Hypothermia
E) Respiration
Correct Answer: B) Massive Hemorrhage
Rationale: The MARCH algorithm is prioritized based on what will kill the casualty the
fastest. Massive hemorrhage (M) can lead to death in 2–3 minutes, which is faster than
airway obstruction (A) or respiratory failure (R). Therefore, the first step in Tactical Field
Care is to identify and control any life-threatening bleeding that was not addressed during
, 3
Care Under Fire, as well as checking the effectiveness of any previously applied
tourniquets.
Question 5
Which hemostatic dressing is currently the first choice for deep, junctional wounds where a
tourniquet cannot be applied?
A) Standard compressed gauze
B) QuikClot Combat Gauze
C) Celox granules
D) ChitoGauze
E) Silver Nitrate applicators
Correct Answer: B) QuikClot Combat Gauze
Rationale: QuikClot Combat Gauze is a CoTCCC-recommended hemostatic agent. It is a
non-woven gauze impregnated with kaolin, an inorganic mineral that accelerates the
body's natural clotting cascade without causing heat-related tissue damage (unlike early
generation granules). It is ideal for "junctional" areas—the neck, armpit, and groin—
where extremity tourniquets cannot reach. It requires at least 3 minutes of direct pressure
after packing to be effective.
Question 6
What is the preferred method for opening the airway of an unconscious casualty who does not
have a suspected spinal injury in a combat environment?
A) Blind finger sweep
B) Cricothyroidotomy
C) Head-Tilt/Chin-Lift maneuver
D) Jaw-Thrust maneuver
E) Abdominal thrusts
Correct Answer: C) Head-Tilt/Chin-Lift maneuver
Rationale: For an unconscious casualty with no signs of airway obstruction other than
potentially the tongue, the Head-Tilt/Chin-Lift is the most effective and simplest way to
open the airway. While the Jaw-Thrust (Option D) is traditionally taught for suspected
, 4
spinal injuries, TCCC guidelines recognize that spinal injuries from penetrating trauma
are rare and the Head-Tilt/Chin-Lift is often more successful in creating a patent airway
quickly in a tactical setting.
Question 7
A casualty is unconscious but breathing and has no facial trauma. You have performed a head-
tilt/chin-lift. What is the next step to maintain the airway?
A) Insert an Oropharyngeal Airway (OPA)
B) Perform an emergency tracheotomy
C) Insert a Nasopharyngeal Airway (NPA)
D) Intubate the casualty
E) Place the casualty in the prone position
Correct Answer: C) Insert a Nasopharyngeal Airway (NPA)
Rationale: The NPA is the preferred basic airway adjunct in TCCC. It is well-tolerated by
casualties who may have a gag reflex (unlike the OPA) and is effective in maintaining the
airway in unconscious patients. OPAs (Option A) are generally avoided in combat because
they are easily dislodged and can cause vomiting in casualties with even a partial gag reflex.
Cricothyroidotomy (Option B) is reserved for cases where simpler methods fail or if there is
massive facial trauma.
Question 8
When evaluating the "R" (Respiration) in the MARCH algorithm, a casualty is found to have a
sucking chest wound. What is the correct intervention?
A) Apply a pressure dressing
B) Pack the wound with hemostatic gauze
C) Apply an occlusive dressing (Chest Seal)
D) Perform an immediate needle decompression
E) Wrap the chest with an elastic bandage
Correct Answer: C) Apply an occlusive dressing (Chest Seal)
Rationale: A sucking chest wound (open pneumothorax) allows air to enter the pleural space
through the chest wall, potentially causing the lung to collapse. An occlusive dressing,
Questions And Correct Detailed Answers (Verified Answers) |Already Graded A+
Question 1
In Tactical Combat Casualty Care (TCCC), what is the very first priority during the "Care Under
Fire" phase?
A) Establish an airway
B) Return fire and gain fire superiority
C) Apply a deliberate tourniquet 2 inches above the wound
D) Perform a rapid trauma assessment
E) Check for a carotid pulse
Correct Answer: B) Return fire and gain fire superiority
Rationale: In the Care Under Fire (CUF) phase, the tactical environment is the most
significant threat. The best medicine on the battlefield is fire superiority. If the responder
or the casualty is still under effective enemy fire, providing medical care increases the risk
of becoming a casualty themselves. By returning fire and suppressing the enemy, the
responder prevents further injuries and creates a window of relative safety to perform life-
saving interventions, which are limited solely to major extremity hemorrhage control
during this phase.
Question 2
When applying a "hasty" tourniquet during the Care Under Fire phase, where should it be
placed?
A) Directly over the wound
B) 2-3 inches above the wound, on the skin
C) Over the clothing, as high as possible on the limb ("High and Tight")
D) Distal to the wound to preserve the joint
E) On the joint nearest to the injury
Correct Answer: C) Over the clothing, as high as possible on the limb ("High and Tight")
Rationale: During the Care Under Fire phase, the responder is under extreme stress and
likely under fire. There is no time to expose the wound or perform a detailed assessment of
the injury site. Placing the tourniquet "high and tight" over the clothing ensures that the
pressure is applied proximal to any potential arterial bleed that might be hidden by
, 2
clothing or tactical gear. This is a temporary life-saving measure that is re-evaluated during
the Tactical Field Care phase.
Question 3
Which of the following is the most common cause of preventable death on the battlefield?
A) Tension pneumothorax
B) Airway obstruction
C) Extremity hemorrhage
D) Blast-induced brain injury
E) Hypovolemic shock from internal bleeding
Correct Answer: C) Extremity hemorrhage
Rationale: Statistical data from modern combat operations shows that exsanguination
(bleeding out) from extremity wounds remains the leading cause of preventable death.
Arterial bleeding from an arm or leg can lead to death within minutes. Because these
injuries occur on the limbs, they are accessible and treatable with CoTCCC-approved
tourniquets. Tension pneumothorax is the second leading cause, followed by airway
obstruction.
Question 4
A casualty has been moved to a position of cover and is now in the "Tactical Field Care" phase.
What is the first step of the MARCH algorithm?
A) Airway Management
B) Massive Hemorrhage
C) Circulation
D) Head and Hypothermia
E) Respiration
Correct Answer: B) Massive Hemorrhage
Rationale: The MARCH algorithm is prioritized based on what will kill the casualty the
fastest. Massive hemorrhage (M) can lead to death in 2–3 minutes, which is faster than
airway obstruction (A) or respiratory failure (R). Therefore, the first step in Tactical Field
Care is to identify and control any life-threatening bleeding that was not addressed during
, 3
Care Under Fire, as well as checking the effectiveness of any previously applied
tourniquets.
Question 5
Which hemostatic dressing is currently the first choice for deep, junctional wounds where a
tourniquet cannot be applied?
A) Standard compressed gauze
B) QuikClot Combat Gauze
C) Celox granules
D) ChitoGauze
E) Silver Nitrate applicators
Correct Answer: B) QuikClot Combat Gauze
Rationale: QuikClot Combat Gauze is a CoTCCC-recommended hemostatic agent. It is a
non-woven gauze impregnated with kaolin, an inorganic mineral that accelerates the
body's natural clotting cascade without causing heat-related tissue damage (unlike early
generation granules). It is ideal for "junctional" areas—the neck, armpit, and groin—
where extremity tourniquets cannot reach. It requires at least 3 minutes of direct pressure
after packing to be effective.
Question 6
What is the preferred method for opening the airway of an unconscious casualty who does not
have a suspected spinal injury in a combat environment?
A) Blind finger sweep
B) Cricothyroidotomy
C) Head-Tilt/Chin-Lift maneuver
D) Jaw-Thrust maneuver
E) Abdominal thrusts
Correct Answer: C) Head-Tilt/Chin-Lift maneuver
Rationale: For an unconscious casualty with no signs of airway obstruction other than
potentially the tongue, the Head-Tilt/Chin-Lift is the most effective and simplest way to
open the airway. While the Jaw-Thrust (Option D) is traditionally taught for suspected
, 4
spinal injuries, TCCC guidelines recognize that spinal injuries from penetrating trauma
are rare and the Head-Tilt/Chin-Lift is often more successful in creating a patent airway
quickly in a tactical setting.
Question 7
A casualty is unconscious but breathing and has no facial trauma. You have performed a head-
tilt/chin-lift. What is the next step to maintain the airway?
A) Insert an Oropharyngeal Airway (OPA)
B) Perform an emergency tracheotomy
C) Insert a Nasopharyngeal Airway (NPA)
D) Intubate the casualty
E) Place the casualty in the prone position
Correct Answer: C) Insert a Nasopharyngeal Airway (NPA)
Rationale: The NPA is the preferred basic airway adjunct in TCCC. It is well-tolerated by
casualties who may have a gag reflex (unlike the OPA) and is effective in maintaining the
airway in unconscious patients. OPAs (Option A) are generally avoided in combat because
they are easily dislodged and can cause vomiting in casualties with even a partial gag reflex.
Cricothyroidotomy (Option B) is reserved for cases where simpler methods fail or if there is
massive facial trauma.
Question 8
When evaluating the "R" (Respiration) in the MARCH algorithm, a casualty is found to have a
sucking chest wound. What is the correct intervention?
A) Apply a pressure dressing
B) Pack the wound with hemostatic gauze
C) Apply an occlusive dressing (Chest Seal)
D) Perform an immediate needle decompression
E) Wrap the chest with an elastic bandage
Correct Answer: C) Apply an occlusive dressing (Chest Seal)
Rationale: A sucking chest wound (open pneumothorax) allows air to enter the pleural space
through the chest wall, potentially causing the lung to collapse. An occlusive dressing,
