TNCC 9th Edition Final Exam – Emergency Nurses
Association Trauma Nursing Core Course –
2026/2027 Edition – Verified Questions and
Answers
1. A trauma patient is brought to the emergency department after a motor vehicle
collision. The nurse completes the primary survey and identifies a life-threatening
airway obstruction. Which of the following is the priority intervention?
A) Obtain a detailed medical history
B) Apply a cervical collar
C) Open the airway using a jaw thrust maneuver
D) Start two large-bore IVs
Answer: C) Open the airway using a jaw thrust maneuver
Rationale: Airway is the first step in the primary survey. The priority intervention for
airway obstruction is to open the airway. In trauma patients, a jaw thrust maneuver is
used to maintain cervical spine precautions .
2. According to the Trauma Nursing Process (TNP), which of the following occurs
during the primary survey?
A) Obtaining a detailed AMPLE history
B) Identification of life-threatening injuries
C) Complete head-to-toe assessment
D) Application of a cervical collar
Answer: B) Identification of life-threatening injuries
Rationale: The primary survey focuses on rapid identification and treatment of life-
threatening conditions using the ABCDE approach. The AMPLE history is obtained during
the secondary survey .
,3. What is the correct sequence of the Trauma Nursing Process?
A) Primary Survey, Secondary Survey, Resuscitation, Definitive Care
B) Primary Survey, Resuscitation, Secondary Survey, Definitive Care
C) Resuscitation, Primary Survey, Secondary Survey, Definitive Care
D) Secondary Survey, Primary Survey, Resuscitation, Definitive Care
Answer: B) Primary Survey, Resuscitation, Secondary Survey, Definitive Care
Rationale: The TNP phases are: (1) Primary Survey, (2) Resuscitation (interventions for life
threats), (3) Secondary Survey (head-to-toe, AMPLE history), (4) Definitive Care/Transfer .
A) Primary Survey, Secondary Survey, Resuscitation, Definitive Care
B) Primary Survey, Resuscitation, Secondary Survey, Definitive Care
C) Resuscitation, Primary Survey, Secondary Survey, Definitive Care
D) Secondary Survey, Primary Survey, Resuscitation, Definitive Care
Answer: B) Primary Survey, Resuscitation, Secondary Survey, Definitive Care
Rationale: The TNP phases are: (1) Primary Survey, (2) Resuscitation (interventions for life
threats), (3) Secondary Survey (head-to-toe, AMPLE history), (4) Definitive Care/Transfer .
4. A patient arrives after a fall from 20 feet. The nurse notes snoring respirations.
Which of the following is the most appropriate initial action?
A) Insert an oropharyngeal airway
B) Perform a jaw thrust maneuver
C) Prepare for endotracheal intubation
D) Apply oxygen via non-rebreather mask
Answer: B) Perform a jaw thrust maneuver
,Rationale: Snoring respirations indicate partial airway obstruction. The jaw thrust
maneuver opens the airway while maintaining cervical spine precautions. An
oropharyngeal airway may be used after the jaw thrust if needed .
5. Which patient requires spinal motion restriction?
A) A patient with isolated forearm laceration
B) A patient with a GCS of 15 and no mechanism for spinal injury
C) A patient who fell from standing height with no neurologic symptoms
D) A patient involved in a high-speed MVC with altered mental status
Answer: D) A patient involved in a high-speed MVC with altered mental status
Rationale: Spinal motion restriction is indicated for patients with mechanism of injury
concerning for spinal trauma AND any of the following: altered mental status, neurologic
deficit, distracting injury, or spinal tenderness .
6. The "F" in the expanded A-I mnemonic (9th Edition) stands for:
A) Family presence
B) Full set of vital signs
C) Fluid resuscitation
D) Fracture assessment
Answer: B) Full set of vital signs
, Rationale: The 9th Edition expanded mnemonic includes: A-Airway, B-Breathing, C-
Circulation, D-Disability, E-Exposure, F-Full set of vital signs, G-Get adjuncts, H-History, I-
Inspect posterior surfaces .
7. A hypotensive patient with a positive FAST exam is being evaluated. Which of
the following is the priority intervention?
A) Obtain a CT scan of the abdomen
B) Prepare for emergent laparotomy
C) Administer a second fluid bolus
D) Apply a pelvic binder
Answer: B) Prepare for emergent laparotomy
Rationale: A positive FAST exam in a hypotensive patient indicates intra-abdominal
bleeding requiring emergent surgical intervention (laparotomy). CT scan is not appropriate
for unstable patients .
8. During the primary survey, a nurse identifies absent breath sounds on the left
side with tracheal deviation to the right. Which intervention is most appropriate?
A) Prepare for chest tube insertion
B) Perform needle decompression at the 2nd intercostal space, midclavicular line
C) Administer a bolus of IV fluids
D) Apply a three-sided occlusive dressing
Answer: B) Perform needle decompression at the 2nd intercostal space,
midclavicular line
Association Trauma Nursing Core Course –
2026/2027 Edition – Verified Questions and
Answers
1. A trauma patient is brought to the emergency department after a motor vehicle
collision. The nurse completes the primary survey and identifies a life-threatening
airway obstruction. Which of the following is the priority intervention?
A) Obtain a detailed medical history
B) Apply a cervical collar
C) Open the airway using a jaw thrust maneuver
D) Start two large-bore IVs
Answer: C) Open the airway using a jaw thrust maneuver
Rationale: Airway is the first step in the primary survey. The priority intervention for
airway obstruction is to open the airway. In trauma patients, a jaw thrust maneuver is
used to maintain cervical spine precautions .
2. According to the Trauma Nursing Process (TNP), which of the following occurs
during the primary survey?
A) Obtaining a detailed AMPLE history
B) Identification of life-threatening injuries
C) Complete head-to-toe assessment
D) Application of a cervical collar
Answer: B) Identification of life-threatening injuries
Rationale: The primary survey focuses on rapid identification and treatment of life-
threatening conditions using the ABCDE approach. The AMPLE history is obtained during
the secondary survey .
,3. What is the correct sequence of the Trauma Nursing Process?
A) Primary Survey, Secondary Survey, Resuscitation, Definitive Care
B) Primary Survey, Resuscitation, Secondary Survey, Definitive Care
C) Resuscitation, Primary Survey, Secondary Survey, Definitive Care
D) Secondary Survey, Primary Survey, Resuscitation, Definitive Care
Answer: B) Primary Survey, Resuscitation, Secondary Survey, Definitive Care
Rationale: The TNP phases are: (1) Primary Survey, (2) Resuscitation (interventions for life
threats), (3) Secondary Survey (head-to-toe, AMPLE history), (4) Definitive Care/Transfer .
A) Primary Survey, Secondary Survey, Resuscitation, Definitive Care
B) Primary Survey, Resuscitation, Secondary Survey, Definitive Care
C) Resuscitation, Primary Survey, Secondary Survey, Definitive Care
D) Secondary Survey, Primary Survey, Resuscitation, Definitive Care
Answer: B) Primary Survey, Resuscitation, Secondary Survey, Definitive Care
Rationale: The TNP phases are: (1) Primary Survey, (2) Resuscitation (interventions for life
threats), (3) Secondary Survey (head-to-toe, AMPLE history), (4) Definitive Care/Transfer .
4. A patient arrives after a fall from 20 feet. The nurse notes snoring respirations.
Which of the following is the most appropriate initial action?
A) Insert an oropharyngeal airway
B) Perform a jaw thrust maneuver
C) Prepare for endotracheal intubation
D) Apply oxygen via non-rebreather mask
Answer: B) Perform a jaw thrust maneuver
,Rationale: Snoring respirations indicate partial airway obstruction. The jaw thrust
maneuver opens the airway while maintaining cervical spine precautions. An
oropharyngeal airway may be used after the jaw thrust if needed .
5. Which patient requires spinal motion restriction?
A) A patient with isolated forearm laceration
B) A patient with a GCS of 15 and no mechanism for spinal injury
C) A patient who fell from standing height with no neurologic symptoms
D) A patient involved in a high-speed MVC with altered mental status
Answer: D) A patient involved in a high-speed MVC with altered mental status
Rationale: Spinal motion restriction is indicated for patients with mechanism of injury
concerning for spinal trauma AND any of the following: altered mental status, neurologic
deficit, distracting injury, or spinal tenderness .
6. The "F" in the expanded A-I mnemonic (9th Edition) stands for:
A) Family presence
B) Full set of vital signs
C) Fluid resuscitation
D) Fracture assessment
Answer: B) Full set of vital signs
, Rationale: The 9th Edition expanded mnemonic includes: A-Airway, B-Breathing, C-
Circulation, D-Disability, E-Exposure, F-Full set of vital signs, G-Get adjuncts, H-History, I-
Inspect posterior surfaces .
7. A hypotensive patient with a positive FAST exam is being evaluated. Which of
the following is the priority intervention?
A) Obtain a CT scan of the abdomen
B) Prepare for emergent laparotomy
C) Administer a second fluid bolus
D) Apply a pelvic binder
Answer: B) Prepare for emergent laparotomy
Rationale: A positive FAST exam in a hypotensive patient indicates intra-abdominal
bleeding requiring emergent surgical intervention (laparotomy). CT scan is not appropriate
for unstable patients .
8. During the primary survey, a nurse identifies absent breath sounds on the left
side with tracheal deviation to the right. Which intervention is most appropriate?
A) Prepare for chest tube insertion
B) Perform needle decompression at the 2nd intercostal space, midclavicular line
C) Administer a bolus of IV fluids
D) Apply a three-sided occlusive dressing
Answer: B) Perform needle decompression at the 2nd intercostal space,
midclavicular line
