ATCN CRITICAL CARE TRAUMA SKILLS
EXAM 2026 COMPLETE Q AND A STUDY
PACK
◉ Head = 9%
Chest (front) = 9%
Abdomen (front) = 9%
Upper/mid/low back and buttocks = 18%
Each arm = 9% (front = 4.5%, back = 4.5%)
Groin = 1%
Each leg = 18% total (front = 9%, back = 9%)
Answer: rule of 9's adult
◉ Anterior/Posterior Head - 9% Each
Anterior/Posterior Torson - 18% Each
Anterior/Posterior Arms - 4.5% Each
Anterior/Posterior Legs - 7% Each
Answer: Rule of 9's - Pediatric
◉ Early signs and sx
, 1. increased pain, greater than expected and out of proportion to the
injury
2. Palpable tenseness of the compartment
3. asymmetry of the muscle compartment
4. pain on passive stretch
5.altered sensation
Note: Absent distal pulses and poor cap refill are not reliable in dx
compartment syndrome. May be a very late sign of C.S. possibility of
proximal vascular injury should be considered
Answer: signs and symptoms of compartment syndrome
◉ thoracotomy is indicated when output exceeds 1500 mL within 24
hours, THE INDICATIONS for thoracotomy after traumatic injury
typically include shock, arrest at presentation, diagnosis of specific
injuries (such as blunt aortic injury), or ongoing thoracic
hemorrhage.
Answer: Indications for thoracotomy
◉ sx can be slow and gradual and silent. hypotension, tachycardia,
arrhythmias and dysrhythmias, visible trauma, distended neck veins,
muffled heart sounds, and other signs of shock.
Note: rapid deceleration
Answer: blunt cardiac injury s and sx
EXAM 2026 COMPLETE Q AND A STUDY
PACK
◉ Head = 9%
Chest (front) = 9%
Abdomen (front) = 9%
Upper/mid/low back and buttocks = 18%
Each arm = 9% (front = 4.5%, back = 4.5%)
Groin = 1%
Each leg = 18% total (front = 9%, back = 9%)
Answer: rule of 9's adult
◉ Anterior/Posterior Head - 9% Each
Anterior/Posterior Torson - 18% Each
Anterior/Posterior Arms - 4.5% Each
Anterior/Posterior Legs - 7% Each
Answer: Rule of 9's - Pediatric
◉ Early signs and sx
, 1. increased pain, greater than expected and out of proportion to the
injury
2. Palpable tenseness of the compartment
3. asymmetry of the muscle compartment
4. pain on passive stretch
5.altered sensation
Note: Absent distal pulses and poor cap refill are not reliable in dx
compartment syndrome. May be a very late sign of C.S. possibility of
proximal vascular injury should be considered
Answer: signs and symptoms of compartment syndrome
◉ thoracotomy is indicated when output exceeds 1500 mL within 24
hours, THE INDICATIONS for thoracotomy after traumatic injury
typically include shock, arrest at presentation, diagnosis of specific
injuries (such as blunt aortic injury), or ongoing thoracic
hemorrhage.
Answer: Indications for thoracotomy
◉ sx can be slow and gradual and silent. hypotension, tachycardia,
arrhythmias and dysrhythmias, visible trauma, distended neck veins,
muffled heart sounds, and other signs of shock.
Note: rapid deceleration
Answer: blunt cardiac injury s and sx
