TCRN SPECIAL CONSIDERATIONS |ACTUAL
QUESTIONS AND VERIFIED ANSWERS|BRAND NEW
2026-2027 UPDATE|GRADED A+
Question 1
The family of a deceased trauma patient just arrived to the ED. To support the family in
crisis it is important for the trauma nurse to understand the grieving process. Which of the
following is NOT included in the stages of grief?
a. Anger
b. Depression
c. Bargaining
d. Frustration
CORRECT ANSWER
Answer: D
The stages of grief are shock and denial, anger, bargaining, depression, and acceptance.
During crisis families look to the staff for support and information about the care of their
family members.
Appropriate response is "I can't imagine how painful this must be for you."
TNCC teaches the RESPOND mnemonic:
R - reassure
1
, E - establish
S - support
P - plan and manage
O - offer hope
N - never deliver bad news alone
D - determine the patient's needs
Question 2
Your patient was the sole survivor of a MVC a week ago. She is now experiencing
flashbacks and night terrors, so the nurse suspects:
a. Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
b. Acute Stress Disorder (ASD)
c. Major Depressive Disorder
d. Anhedonia
CORRECT ANSWER
Answer: B
Acute Stress Disorder (ASD) and PTSD often share many of the same symptoms. ASD is
more acute, whereas PTSD typically starts 3 months after the traumatic event and lasts >
1 month. Experiencing ASD increases the risk of PTSD.
Question 3
2
,A veteran was shot while protecting bystanders during a mass shooting in a park. He has a
history of angry outbursts and nightmares since returning from combat. These symptoms
are suggestive of which condition?
a. Delirium tremens
b. Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
c. Panic attack
d. Acute psychosis
CORRECT ANSWER
Answer: B
PTSD. Flashbacks, nightmares, insomnia, difficulty concentrating, being easily startled
(hypervigilance), and loss of interest in previously enjoyed activities are common after a
terrifying ordeal. Place in a low stimulus area and announce yourself prior to entering
room.
Question 4
Observation of grief reactions can assist the trauma nurse in caring for the grieving family.
Nausea, headache, and sleep disturbances are signs of which expression of grief?
a. Somatic
b. Cognitive
c. Affective
3
, d. Behavioral
CORRECT ANSWER
Answer: A
Expressions of traumatic grief:
Somatic grief reveals itself as physical complaints, nausea, headache, sleep disturbances.
Cognitive grief is hopelessness and helplessness.
Affective grief is guilt, resentment, depression.
Behavioral grief is agitation, fatigue, crying, and social isolation.
Question 5
An abdominal trauma patient who required extensive surgical intervention is in the ICU.
On post-op day four vital signs are: T: 38 C, HR: 126 bpm, RR 24 breaths/min, BP: 88/66. In
addition to obtaining a WBC count, initial diagnostic testing would include:
a. Serum potassium and sodium
b. Serum lactate and ABG for pH and base deficit
c. Urine myoglobin and CK
d. Thromboelastography (TEG)
4
QUESTIONS AND VERIFIED ANSWERS|BRAND NEW
2026-2027 UPDATE|GRADED A+
Question 1
The family of a deceased trauma patient just arrived to the ED. To support the family in
crisis it is important for the trauma nurse to understand the grieving process. Which of the
following is NOT included in the stages of grief?
a. Anger
b. Depression
c. Bargaining
d. Frustration
CORRECT ANSWER
Answer: D
The stages of grief are shock and denial, anger, bargaining, depression, and acceptance.
During crisis families look to the staff for support and information about the care of their
family members.
Appropriate response is "I can't imagine how painful this must be for you."
TNCC teaches the RESPOND mnemonic:
R - reassure
1
, E - establish
S - support
P - plan and manage
O - offer hope
N - never deliver bad news alone
D - determine the patient's needs
Question 2
Your patient was the sole survivor of a MVC a week ago. She is now experiencing
flashbacks and night terrors, so the nurse suspects:
a. Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
b. Acute Stress Disorder (ASD)
c. Major Depressive Disorder
d. Anhedonia
CORRECT ANSWER
Answer: B
Acute Stress Disorder (ASD) and PTSD often share many of the same symptoms. ASD is
more acute, whereas PTSD typically starts 3 months after the traumatic event and lasts >
1 month. Experiencing ASD increases the risk of PTSD.
Question 3
2
,A veteran was shot while protecting bystanders during a mass shooting in a park. He has a
history of angry outbursts and nightmares since returning from combat. These symptoms
are suggestive of which condition?
a. Delirium tremens
b. Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
c. Panic attack
d. Acute psychosis
CORRECT ANSWER
Answer: B
PTSD. Flashbacks, nightmares, insomnia, difficulty concentrating, being easily startled
(hypervigilance), and loss of interest in previously enjoyed activities are common after a
terrifying ordeal. Place in a low stimulus area and announce yourself prior to entering
room.
Question 4
Observation of grief reactions can assist the trauma nurse in caring for the grieving family.
Nausea, headache, and sleep disturbances are signs of which expression of grief?
a. Somatic
b. Cognitive
c. Affective
3
, d. Behavioral
CORRECT ANSWER
Answer: A
Expressions of traumatic grief:
Somatic grief reveals itself as physical complaints, nausea, headache, sleep disturbances.
Cognitive grief is hopelessness and helplessness.
Affective grief is guilt, resentment, depression.
Behavioral grief is agitation, fatigue, crying, and social isolation.
Question 5
An abdominal trauma patient who required extensive surgical intervention is in the ICU.
On post-op day four vital signs are: T: 38 C, HR: 126 bpm, RR 24 breaths/min, BP: 88/66. In
addition to obtaining a WBC count, initial diagnostic testing would include:
a. Serum potassium and sodium
b. Serum lactate and ABG for pH and base deficit
c. Urine myoglobin and CK
d. Thromboelastography (TEG)
4
