BURN & TRAUMA NURSING CRITICAL CARE QUESTIONS AND CORRECT ANSWERS (VERIFIED ANSWERS)
PLUS RATIONALES 2026 Q&A |LATEST EXAM UPDATE 2026/2027.
Core Domains:
Pathophysiology of Burn and Trauma Injuries
Hemodynamic Monitoring and Shock Management
Wound Care and Grafting Techniques
Pain Management and Sedation in Critical Care
Infection Control and Sepsis Management
Nutritional Support and Metabolic Response
Psychosocial Support and Ethical Considerations
Regulatory and Legal Standards in Critical Care
Multisystem Organ Failure and Resuscitation
Rehabilitation and Long-Term Care Planning
Introduction:
This comprehensive examination is designed to rigorously assess the knowledge and clinical judgment of critical
care nurses specializing in burn and trauma nursing. The following 100 questions integrate foundational theory
with applied professional knowledge, covering pathophysiology, hemodynamic monitoring, wound care, pain
management, and ethical dilemmas. The format includes multiple-choice questions and realistic clinical scenarios
that challenge the nurse to prioritize interventions, anticipate complications, and make evidence-based decisions
in high-acuity settings. Each question is accompanied by a detailed rationale to reinforce key concepts and
,promote deep learning. This assessment emphasizes real-world application, regulatory compliance, and the critical
thinking necessary to provide safe, effective, and compassionate care to this vulnerable patient population.
SECTION ONE: QUESTIONS 1–100
1. A patient with severe burns over 40% of their total body surface area (TBSA) is admitted to the ICU. Which
finding during the initial resuscitation phase is most indicative of adequate fluid resuscitation?
A. Heart rate of 110 bpm
B. Urine output of 0.5 mL/kg/hr
C. Mean arterial pressure (MAP) of 60 mmHg
D. Central venous pressure (CVP) of 4 mmHg
🟢 B. Urine output of 0.5 mL/kg/hr
🔴 RATIONALE: Urine output is the most sensitive and reliable indicator of end-organ perfusion and adequate
fluid resuscitation in burn patients, with a target of 0.5 to 1.0 mL/kg/hr for adults. While heart rate, MAP, and
CVP are important, they can be influenced by pain, stress, and mechanical ventilation, making urine output the
primary goal for guiding fluid therapy.
2. A trauma patient with a suspected spinal cord injury is being log-rolled for assessment. What is the
priority nursing action during this procedure?
A. Ensure the patient is adequately sedated.
B. Apply a rigid cervical collar after the log-roll.
,C. Maintain manual in-line stabilization of the head and neck.
D. Assess for sacral sparing.
🟢 C. Maintain manual in-line stabilization of the head and neck.
🔴 RATIONALE: The priority during a log-roll is to maintain manual in-line stabilization of the head and neck to
prevent secondary spinal cord injury. The cervical collar is applied before the log-roll, not after. Sedation and
assessment of sacral sparing are important but secondary to maintaining spinal precautions.
3. Which of the following inhalation injuries is most likely to cause delayed onset of respiratory distress and
airway obstruction?
A. Carbon monoxide poisoning
B. Upper airway thermal injury
C. Pulmonary parenchymal injury from smoke inhalation
D. Chemical tracheobronchitis
🟢 C. Pulmonary parenchymal injury from smoke inhalation
🔴 RATIONALE: Pulmonary parenchymal injury, caused by the inhalation of toxic gases and particulate matter,
leads to inflammation, bronchospasm, and alveolar damage. The onset of symptoms is often delayed (12-24
hours) as the inflammatory cascade progresses, leading to progressive respiratory distress and airway
obstruction. Upper airway thermal injury typically causes immediate edema and obstruction.
4. A patient is admitted with a tension pneumothorax following a motor vehicle accident. Which assessment
finding warrants immediate needle decompression?
, A. Tracheal deviation to the affected side
B. Diminished breath sounds bilaterally
C. Hypotension and distended neck veins
D. Subcutaneous emphysema over the chest
🟢 C. Hypotension and distended neck veins
🔴 RATIONALE: Tension pneumothorax is a life-threatening condition that causes hypotension and distended
neck veins due to impaired venous return and cardiac output. Tracheal deviation, if present, deviates to the
opposite side. Needle decompression is the immediate intervention to relieve the pressure and restore
hemodynamic stability.
5. In the emergent phase of burn care, which of the following laboratory values is most concerning for a
patient with significant electrical burns?
A. Serum sodium of 135 mEq/L
B. Serum potassium of 5.8 mEq/L
C. Serum creatinine of 1.2 mg/dL
D. Arterial pH of 7.35
🟢 B. Serum potassium of 5.8 mEq/L
🔴 RATIONALE: Electrical burns can cause massive muscle necrosis, leading to rhabdomyolysis and the release
of intracellular potassium. Hyperkalemia (K+ >5.0 mEq/L) is a critical finding that can precipitate lethal cardiac
arrhythmias. The other values are within normal limits or only mildly abnormal.
6. A nurse is caring for a patient with a full-thickness burn to the anterior chest. Which finding indicates a
need for an escharotomy?
PLUS RATIONALES 2026 Q&A |LATEST EXAM UPDATE 2026/2027.
Core Domains:
Pathophysiology of Burn and Trauma Injuries
Hemodynamic Monitoring and Shock Management
Wound Care and Grafting Techniques
Pain Management and Sedation in Critical Care
Infection Control and Sepsis Management
Nutritional Support and Metabolic Response
Psychosocial Support and Ethical Considerations
Regulatory and Legal Standards in Critical Care
Multisystem Organ Failure and Resuscitation
Rehabilitation and Long-Term Care Planning
Introduction:
This comprehensive examination is designed to rigorously assess the knowledge and clinical judgment of critical
care nurses specializing in burn and trauma nursing. The following 100 questions integrate foundational theory
with applied professional knowledge, covering pathophysiology, hemodynamic monitoring, wound care, pain
management, and ethical dilemmas. The format includes multiple-choice questions and realistic clinical scenarios
that challenge the nurse to prioritize interventions, anticipate complications, and make evidence-based decisions
in high-acuity settings. Each question is accompanied by a detailed rationale to reinforce key concepts and
,promote deep learning. This assessment emphasizes real-world application, regulatory compliance, and the critical
thinking necessary to provide safe, effective, and compassionate care to this vulnerable patient population.
SECTION ONE: QUESTIONS 1–100
1. A patient with severe burns over 40% of their total body surface area (TBSA) is admitted to the ICU. Which
finding during the initial resuscitation phase is most indicative of adequate fluid resuscitation?
A. Heart rate of 110 bpm
B. Urine output of 0.5 mL/kg/hr
C. Mean arterial pressure (MAP) of 60 mmHg
D. Central venous pressure (CVP) of 4 mmHg
🟢 B. Urine output of 0.5 mL/kg/hr
🔴 RATIONALE: Urine output is the most sensitive and reliable indicator of end-organ perfusion and adequate
fluid resuscitation in burn patients, with a target of 0.5 to 1.0 mL/kg/hr for adults. While heart rate, MAP, and
CVP are important, they can be influenced by pain, stress, and mechanical ventilation, making urine output the
primary goal for guiding fluid therapy.
2. A trauma patient with a suspected spinal cord injury is being log-rolled for assessment. What is the
priority nursing action during this procedure?
A. Ensure the patient is adequately sedated.
B. Apply a rigid cervical collar after the log-roll.
,C. Maintain manual in-line stabilization of the head and neck.
D. Assess for sacral sparing.
🟢 C. Maintain manual in-line stabilization of the head and neck.
🔴 RATIONALE: The priority during a log-roll is to maintain manual in-line stabilization of the head and neck to
prevent secondary spinal cord injury. The cervical collar is applied before the log-roll, not after. Sedation and
assessment of sacral sparing are important but secondary to maintaining spinal precautions.
3. Which of the following inhalation injuries is most likely to cause delayed onset of respiratory distress and
airway obstruction?
A. Carbon monoxide poisoning
B. Upper airway thermal injury
C. Pulmonary parenchymal injury from smoke inhalation
D. Chemical tracheobronchitis
🟢 C. Pulmonary parenchymal injury from smoke inhalation
🔴 RATIONALE: Pulmonary parenchymal injury, caused by the inhalation of toxic gases and particulate matter,
leads to inflammation, bronchospasm, and alveolar damage. The onset of symptoms is often delayed (12-24
hours) as the inflammatory cascade progresses, leading to progressive respiratory distress and airway
obstruction. Upper airway thermal injury typically causes immediate edema and obstruction.
4. A patient is admitted with a tension pneumothorax following a motor vehicle accident. Which assessment
finding warrants immediate needle decompression?
, A. Tracheal deviation to the affected side
B. Diminished breath sounds bilaterally
C. Hypotension and distended neck veins
D. Subcutaneous emphysema over the chest
🟢 C. Hypotension and distended neck veins
🔴 RATIONALE: Tension pneumothorax is a life-threatening condition that causes hypotension and distended
neck veins due to impaired venous return and cardiac output. Tracheal deviation, if present, deviates to the
opposite side. Needle decompression is the immediate intervention to relieve the pressure and restore
hemodynamic stability.
5. In the emergent phase of burn care, which of the following laboratory values is most concerning for a
patient with significant electrical burns?
A. Serum sodium of 135 mEq/L
B. Serum potassium of 5.8 mEq/L
C. Serum creatinine of 1.2 mg/dL
D. Arterial pH of 7.35
🟢 B. Serum potassium of 5.8 mEq/L
🔴 RATIONALE: Electrical burns can cause massive muscle necrosis, leading to rhabdomyolysis and the release
of intracellular potassium. Hyperkalemia (K+ >5.0 mEq/L) is a critical finding that can precipitate lethal cardiac
arrhythmias. The other values are within normal limits or only mildly abnormal.
6. A nurse is caring for a patient with a full-thickness burn to the anterior chest. Which finding indicates a
need for an escharotomy?
