Tactical Combat Casualty Care (TCCC) Exam Questions and
Correct Answers Updated
Question 1
Which definition below is correct?
a. CASEVAC is using medical platforms to evacuate tactical casualties.
b. MEDEVAC is tactical platforms for medical evacuation missions.
c. En Route Care is casualty care rendered at translocation facilities.
d. TACEVAC refers to evacuation of combat casualties by both dedicated medical
platforms and tactical vehicles of opportunity.
Correct Answer
d
Question 1: What are the three phases of Tactical Combat Casualty Care (TCCC)?
A. Care Under Fire, Tactical Field Care, Tactical Evacuation Care
B. Triage, Treatment, Transport
C. Primary Survey , Secondary Survey , Tertiary Survey
D. Airway, Breathing, Circulation
CORRECT ANSWER: A. Care Under Fire, Tactical Field Care, Tactical Evacuation Care
Rationale: TCCC is structured into three distinct phases, each with specific medical
and tactical priorities.
Question 2: What is the primary medical priority during the Care Under Fire phase?
A. Establishing an airway
B. Preventing further injury and returning fire
C. Applying a tourniquet
D. Administering pain medication
CORRECT ANSWER: B. Preventing further injury and returning fire
Rationale: In Care Under Fire, the tactical situation dictates care; the primary goal is
to survive by winning the firefight and preventing additional casualties.
Question 3: When does the Tactical Field Care phase begin?
A. When the casualty is loaded onto the evacuation vehicle
B. When the casualty is no longer under direct enemy fire
C. When the first responder arrives at the scene
Page 1 of 182
,D. When the casualty reaches a Role 2 medical facility
CORRECT ANSWER: B. When the casualty is no longer under direct enemy fire
Rationale: Tactical Field Care begins when the tactical situation allows the medic to
safely assess and treat the casualty without taking direct fire.
Question 4: What is the primary focus of Tactical Evacuation Care (TACEVAC)?
A. Performing surgical procedures
B. Continuing care during the evacuation to a higher level of care
C. Returning to the point of injury for more casualties
D. Discharging the casualty
CORRECT ANSWER: B. Continuing care during the evacuation to a higher level of
care
Rationale: TACEVAC focuses on providing ongoing medical care and monitoring
while the casualty is being transported to a medical treatment facility.
Question 5: In the Care Under Fire phase, what is the only medical intervention that
should be performed before returning fire?
A. Chest seal application
B. Tourniquet application for massive, life-threatening extremity hemorrhage
C. Airway positioning
D. IV fluid administration
CORRECT ANSWER: B. Tourniquet application for massive, life-threatening extremity
hemorrhage
Rationale: If it is safe to do so, applying a tourniquet to stop massive bleeding is the
only medical intervention recommended while under direct fire.
Question 6: What does the acronym MARCH stand for in TCCC?
A. Massive hemorrhage, Airway, Respiration, Circulation, Hypothermia
B. Movement, Assessment, Resuscitation, Care, Handoff
C. Medication, Airway, Respirations, Cardiac, Hemorrhage
D. Massive hemorrhage, Assessment, Respiration, Circulation, Handoff
Page 2 of 182
,CORRECT ANSWER: A. Massive hemorrhage, Airway, Respiration, Circulation,
Hypothermia
Rationale: MARCH is the systematic assessment and treatment sequence used in
Tactical Field Care to address the most lethal injuries first.
Question 7: What is the first step in the MARCH algorithm?
A. Airway management
B. Massive hemorrhage control
C. Respiration management
D. Circulation management
CORRECT ANSWER: B. Massive hemorrhage control
Rationale: Exsanguinating hemorrhage is the leading cause of preventable death on
the battlefield, making it the first priority in the MARCH sequence.
Question 8: Where should a tourniquet be applied on an extremity?
A. Directly over the wound
B. 2 to 3 inches above the wound, avoiding joints
C. As close to the torso as possible
D. Below the wound
CORRECT ANSWER: B. 2 to 3 inches above the wound, avoiding joints
Rationale: Tourniquets should be placed high and tight or 2-3 inches above the
bleeding site, avoiding joints to ensure effective occlusion.
Question 9: If a tourniquet is applied and bleeding continues, what is the next step?
A. Apply a second tourniquet adjacent to the first
B. Remove the first tourniquet and apply a new one higher
C. Apply a pressure dressing over the wound
D. Elevate the extremity
CORRECT ANSWER: A. Apply a second tourniquet adjacent to the first
Rationale: If the first tourniquet fails to stop the bleeding, a second tourniquet
should be applied side-by-side or just above the first one.
Page 3 of 182
, Question 10: What is the recommended time to document after applying a
tourniquet?
A. The time the tourniquet was applied
B. The time the casualty was injured
C. The time the evacuation arrives
D. The time the medic arrived
CORRECT ANSWER: A. The time the tourniquet was applied
Rationale: Documenting the exact time of tourniquet application is critical for
downstream medical providers to manage the risk of ischemia and tissue death.
Question 11: What is the maximum recommended time a tourniquet can be left in
place before considering conversion or surgical intervention?
A. 1 hour
B. 2 hours
C. 6 hours
D. There is no absolute maximum, but conversion should be considered if >2 hours
and safe
CORRECT ANSWER: D. There is no absolute maximum, but conversion should be
considered if >2 hours and safe
Rationale: While tourniquets can be left on for extended periods to save a life,
downstream providers should evaluate for wound packing conversion after 2 hours
if tactically and medically appropriate.
Question 12: What is the primary purpose of wound packing?
A. To absorb minor oozing
B. To apply direct pressure to the source of bleeding in a junctional or compressible
wound
C. To prevent infection
D. To keep the wound moist
CORRECT ANSWER: B. To apply direct pressure to the source of bleeding in a
junctional or compressible wound
Page 4 of 182
Correct Answers Updated
Question 1
Which definition below is correct?
a. CASEVAC is using medical platforms to evacuate tactical casualties.
b. MEDEVAC is tactical platforms for medical evacuation missions.
c. En Route Care is casualty care rendered at translocation facilities.
d. TACEVAC refers to evacuation of combat casualties by both dedicated medical
platforms and tactical vehicles of opportunity.
Correct Answer
d
Question 1: What are the three phases of Tactical Combat Casualty Care (TCCC)?
A. Care Under Fire, Tactical Field Care, Tactical Evacuation Care
B. Triage, Treatment, Transport
C. Primary Survey , Secondary Survey , Tertiary Survey
D. Airway, Breathing, Circulation
CORRECT ANSWER: A. Care Under Fire, Tactical Field Care, Tactical Evacuation Care
Rationale: TCCC is structured into three distinct phases, each with specific medical
and tactical priorities.
Question 2: What is the primary medical priority during the Care Under Fire phase?
A. Establishing an airway
B. Preventing further injury and returning fire
C. Applying a tourniquet
D. Administering pain medication
CORRECT ANSWER: B. Preventing further injury and returning fire
Rationale: In Care Under Fire, the tactical situation dictates care; the primary goal is
to survive by winning the firefight and preventing additional casualties.
Question 3: When does the Tactical Field Care phase begin?
A. When the casualty is loaded onto the evacuation vehicle
B. When the casualty is no longer under direct enemy fire
C. When the first responder arrives at the scene
Page 1 of 182
,D. When the casualty reaches a Role 2 medical facility
CORRECT ANSWER: B. When the casualty is no longer under direct enemy fire
Rationale: Tactical Field Care begins when the tactical situation allows the medic to
safely assess and treat the casualty without taking direct fire.
Question 4: What is the primary focus of Tactical Evacuation Care (TACEVAC)?
A. Performing surgical procedures
B. Continuing care during the evacuation to a higher level of care
C. Returning to the point of injury for more casualties
D. Discharging the casualty
CORRECT ANSWER: B. Continuing care during the evacuation to a higher level of
care
Rationale: TACEVAC focuses on providing ongoing medical care and monitoring
while the casualty is being transported to a medical treatment facility.
Question 5: In the Care Under Fire phase, what is the only medical intervention that
should be performed before returning fire?
A. Chest seal application
B. Tourniquet application for massive, life-threatening extremity hemorrhage
C. Airway positioning
D. IV fluid administration
CORRECT ANSWER: B. Tourniquet application for massive, life-threatening extremity
hemorrhage
Rationale: If it is safe to do so, applying a tourniquet to stop massive bleeding is the
only medical intervention recommended while under direct fire.
Question 6: What does the acronym MARCH stand for in TCCC?
A. Massive hemorrhage, Airway, Respiration, Circulation, Hypothermia
B. Movement, Assessment, Resuscitation, Care, Handoff
C. Medication, Airway, Respirations, Cardiac, Hemorrhage
D. Massive hemorrhage, Assessment, Respiration, Circulation, Handoff
Page 2 of 182
,CORRECT ANSWER: A. Massive hemorrhage, Airway, Respiration, Circulation,
Hypothermia
Rationale: MARCH is the systematic assessment and treatment sequence used in
Tactical Field Care to address the most lethal injuries first.
Question 7: What is the first step in the MARCH algorithm?
A. Airway management
B. Massive hemorrhage control
C. Respiration management
D. Circulation management
CORRECT ANSWER: B. Massive hemorrhage control
Rationale: Exsanguinating hemorrhage is the leading cause of preventable death on
the battlefield, making it the first priority in the MARCH sequence.
Question 8: Where should a tourniquet be applied on an extremity?
A. Directly over the wound
B. 2 to 3 inches above the wound, avoiding joints
C. As close to the torso as possible
D. Below the wound
CORRECT ANSWER: B. 2 to 3 inches above the wound, avoiding joints
Rationale: Tourniquets should be placed high and tight or 2-3 inches above the
bleeding site, avoiding joints to ensure effective occlusion.
Question 9: If a tourniquet is applied and bleeding continues, what is the next step?
A. Apply a second tourniquet adjacent to the first
B. Remove the first tourniquet and apply a new one higher
C. Apply a pressure dressing over the wound
D. Elevate the extremity
CORRECT ANSWER: A. Apply a second tourniquet adjacent to the first
Rationale: If the first tourniquet fails to stop the bleeding, a second tourniquet
should be applied side-by-side or just above the first one.
Page 3 of 182
, Question 10: What is the recommended time to document after applying a
tourniquet?
A. The time the tourniquet was applied
B. The time the casualty was injured
C. The time the evacuation arrives
D. The time the medic arrived
CORRECT ANSWER: A. The time the tourniquet was applied
Rationale: Documenting the exact time of tourniquet application is critical for
downstream medical providers to manage the risk of ischemia and tissue death.
Question 11: What is the maximum recommended time a tourniquet can be left in
place before considering conversion or surgical intervention?
A. 1 hour
B. 2 hours
C. 6 hours
D. There is no absolute maximum, but conversion should be considered if >2 hours
and safe
CORRECT ANSWER: D. There is no absolute maximum, but conversion should be
considered if >2 hours and safe
Rationale: While tourniquets can be left on for extended periods to save a life,
downstream providers should evaluate for wound packing conversion after 2 hours
if tactically and medically appropriate.
Question 12: What is the primary purpose of wound packing?
A. To absorb minor oozing
B. To apply direct pressure to the source of bleeding in a junctional or compressible
wound
C. To prevent infection
D. To keep the wound moist
CORRECT ANSWER: B. To apply direct pressure to the source of bleeding in a
junctional or compressible wound
Page 4 of 182
