ADVANCED TRAUMA CARE FOR NURSES (ATCN)
WRITTEN EXAM QUESTIONS AND CORRECT
ANSWERS (VERIFIED ANSWERS) Q&A
2027|INSTANT DOWNLOAD PDF
1. What is the primary priority when initially assessing a
patient with major trauma?
A. Obtain a complete medical history
B. Assess airway and protect the cervical spine
C. Insert a urinary catheter
D. Obtain a detailed pain history
Correct answer: B. Assess airway and protect the cervical
spine
Rationale: Airway compromise can rapidly cause death. In
trauma, airway assessment is performed while maintaining
appropriate cervical-spine precautions.
2. Which assessment sequence is most appropriate for the
initial trauma survey?
A. SAMPLE
B. OPQRST
C. ABCDE
D. Head-to-toe examination
Correct answer: C. ABCDE
Rationale: The primary survey systematically identifies
,immediately life-threatening problems involving Airway,
Breathing, Circulation, Disability, and Exposure/Environmental
control.
3. Which finding most strongly suggests an obstructed airway
in an unconscious trauma patient?
A. Clear speech
B. Snoring respirations
C. Warm skin
D. Bounding peripheral pulses
Correct answer: B. Snoring respirations
Rationale: Snoring commonly indicates partial upper-airway
obstruction, often caused by the tongue falling backward in an
unconscious patient.
4. What is the preferred initial maneuver for opening the
airway when cervical spine injury is suspected?
A. Head-tilt/chin-lift
B. Jaw-thrust maneuver
C. Hyperextension of the neck
D. Neck rotation
Correct answer: B. Jaw-thrust maneuver
Rationale: The jaw-thrust can open the airway while minimizing
cervical-spine movement.
,5. Which trauma patient requires the most immediate airway
intervention?
A. Patient speaking clearly with normal breathing
B. Patient with hoarseness and progressive facial swelling
C. Patient with an isolated ankle fracture
D. Patient with mild abdominal tenderness
Correct answer: B. Patient with hoarseness and progressive
facial swelling
Rationale: Progressive airway edema can rapidly make
intubation difficult or impossible. Early airway control should be
considered.
6. Which oxygen-delivery method provides a high
concentration of oxygen to a spontaneously breathing trauma
patient?
A. Nasal cannula
B. Simple face mask
C. Nonrebreather mask
D. Room air
Correct answer: C. Nonrebreather mask
Rationale: A properly fitted nonrebreather mask can provide a
high inspired oxygen concentration when the patient is
breathing adequately.
, 7. Which finding is most characteristic of tension
pneumothorax?
A. Bilateral equal breath sounds
B. Severe respiratory distress with unilateral absent breath
sounds and obstructive shock
C. Mild abdominal tenderness
D. Bradycardia with hypertension
Correct answer: B. Severe respiratory distress with unilateral
absent breath sounds and obstructive shock
Rationale: Tension pneumothorax increases intrathoracic
pressure, impairing ventilation and venous return. It is a clinical
emergency requiring immediate decompression.
8. A trauma patient develops sudden respiratory distress,
hypotension, and absent breath sounds on the right. What
should the nurse anticipate?
A. Immediate chest decompression
B. Oral fluids
C. Diuretic administration
D. Delayed reassessment in one hour
Correct answer: A. Immediate chest decompression
Rationale: The presentation is concerning for tension
pneumothorax, which requires urgent decompression rather
than waiting for definitive imaging.
WRITTEN EXAM QUESTIONS AND CORRECT
ANSWERS (VERIFIED ANSWERS) Q&A
2027|INSTANT DOWNLOAD PDF
1. What is the primary priority when initially assessing a
patient with major trauma?
A. Obtain a complete medical history
B. Assess airway and protect the cervical spine
C. Insert a urinary catheter
D. Obtain a detailed pain history
Correct answer: B. Assess airway and protect the cervical
spine
Rationale: Airway compromise can rapidly cause death. In
trauma, airway assessment is performed while maintaining
appropriate cervical-spine precautions.
2. Which assessment sequence is most appropriate for the
initial trauma survey?
A. SAMPLE
B. OPQRST
C. ABCDE
D. Head-to-toe examination
Correct answer: C. ABCDE
Rationale: The primary survey systematically identifies
,immediately life-threatening problems involving Airway,
Breathing, Circulation, Disability, and Exposure/Environmental
control.
3. Which finding most strongly suggests an obstructed airway
in an unconscious trauma patient?
A. Clear speech
B. Snoring respirations
C. Warm skin
D. Bounding peripheral pulses
Correct answer: B. Snoring respirations
Rationale: Snoring commonly indicates partial upper-airway
obstruction, often caused by the tongue falling backward in an
unconscious patient.
4. What is the preferred initial maneuver for opening the
airway when cervical spine injury is suspected?
A. Head-tilt/chin-lift
B. Jaw-thrust maneuver
C. Hyperextension of the neck
D. Neck rotation
Correct answer: B. Jaw-thrust maneuver
Rationale: The jaw-thrust can open the airway while minimizing
cervical-spine movement.
,5. Which trauma patient requires the most immediate airway
intervention?
A. Patient speaking clearly with normal breathing
B. Patient with hoarseness and progressive facial swelling
C. Patient with an isolated ankle fracture
D. Patient with mild abdominal tenderness
Correct answer: B. Patient with hoarseness and progressive
facial swelling
Rationale: Progressive airway edema can rapidly make
intubation difficult or impossible. Early airway control should be
considered.
6. Which oxygen-delivery method provides a high
concentration of oxygen to a spontaneously breathing trauma
patient?
A. Nasal cannula
B. Simple face mask
C. Nonrebreather mask
D. Room air
Correct answer: C. Nonrebreather mask
Rationale: A properly fitted nonrebreather mask can provide a
high inspired oxygen concentration when the patient is
breathing adequately.
, 7. Which finding is most characteristic of tension
pneumothorax?
A. Bilateral equal breath sounds
B. Severe respiratory distress with unilateral absent breath
sounds and obstructive shock
C. Mild abdominal tenderness
D. Bradycardia with hypertension
Correct answer: B. Severe respiratory distress with unilateral
absent breath sounds and obstructive shock
Rationale: Tension pneumothorax increases intrathoracic
pressure, impairing ventilation and venous return. It is a clinical
emergency requiring immediate decompression.
8. A trauma patient develops sudden respiratory distress,
hypotension, and absent breath sounds on the right. What
should the nurse anticipate?
A. Immediate chest decompression
B. Oral fluids
C. Diuretic administration
D. Delayed reassessment in one hour
Correct answer: A. Immediate chest decompression
Rationale: The presentation is concerning for tension
pneumothorax, which requires urgent decompression rather
than waiting for definitive imaging.
