TNCC - TRAUMA NURSING CORE COURSE | VERIFIED EXAM QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS - LATEST VERSION 2026/2027

TNCC - TRAUMA NURSING CORE COURSE | VERIFIED EXAM QUESTIONS
AND ANSWERS - LATEST VERSION 2026/2027




TNCC - Trauma Nursing Core Course




1. Q: What is the "Golden Hour" in trauma? ANSWER The first 60 minutes
after injury; rapid assessment and intervention during this time improve
survival.
2. Q: What is the "Platinum Ten Minutes"? ANSWER The first 10 minutes
of the resuscitation, focusing on life-threatening conditions (Airway,
Breathing, Circulation).
3. Q: What are the six phases of the Trauma Nursing Process (TNP)?
ANSWER Initial Assessment, Primary Survey, Secondary Survey, Tertiary
Survey, Resuscitation, and Evaluation/Emergency Phase.
4. Q: What is the first step in the Initial Assessment? ANSWER Preparation
(ensuring equipment is ready and team roles are assigned).
5. Q: What is the primary mechanism used during the Initial Assessment?
ANSWER Inspection and Auscultation (look and listen before touching).
6. Q: What is the "Primary Survey"? ANSWER A rapid assessment to
identify and treat immediate threats to life (A-B-C-D-E).
7. Q: What is the "Secondary Survey"? ANSWER A head-to-toe assessment
and history taking once the patient is stabilized.
8. Q: What are the components of the Primary Survey? ANSWER Airway &
Cervical Spine protection, Breathing, Circulation with Hemorrhage
control, Disability (Neurologic status), Exposure/Environmental control.

,9. Q: What is the "AMPLE" mnemonic used for in the Secondary Survey?
ANSWER Allergies, Medications, Past medical history, Last meal, Events
leading to injury.
10.Q: What is "Triage"? ANSWER The process of sorting patients based on
the severity of injury to determine treatment priority.
11.Q: What is a "Level I" trauma center? ANSWER A tertiary care facility
that provides the highest level of comprehensive care for critically
injured patients.
12.Q: What is the mechanism of injury (MOI)? ANSWER The force (kinetic
energy) that causes trauma (e.g., fall, MVA, penetrating).
13.Q: Why is the mechanism of injury important? ANSWER It helps predict
injury patterns that may not be immediately obvious (e.g., deceleration
injury causing aortic tear).
14.Q: What is "Index of Suspicion"? ANSWER A maintained awareness that
a patient may have injuries despite subtle signs; based on MOI and vital
signs.
15.Q: What is the purpose of the "Tertiary Survey"? ANSWER To identify
missed injuries after the acute phase is over (usually within 24 hours).
16.Q: What is "Scene Safety"? ANSWER Ensuring the environment is safe
for providers before entering (hazards, traffic, violence).
17.Q: What is "Mass Casualty" (MASCAL)? ANSWER An incident where the
number of patients exceeds the available resources.
18.Q: What is the "Door-to-Needle" time in trauma? ANSWER The time
from patient arrival to the administration of a critical intervention (e.g.,
blood or antibiotics).
19.Q: What is "Trauma Team Activation"? ANSWER The internal alert
calling the team to the ED bay before patient arrival.
20.Q: What is the role of the "Team Leader"? ANSWER To oversee the
resuscitation, maintain the "Big Picture," and ensure closed-loop
communication.

, 21.Q: What is "Closed-Loop Communication"? ANSWER Verifying orders by
repeating them back; ensures the sender confirms the receiver
understood.
22.Q: What is "Situation-Background-Assessment-Recommendation"
(SBAR)? ANSWER A structured method for communication/handoff
between providers.
23.Q: What is the first intervention in a trauma patient? ANSWER Ensuring
Cervical Spine immobilization (if MOI suggests risk).
24.Q: When should C-spine precautions be discontinued? ANSWER After a
clinical exam and imaging (usually CT) rule out injury, per protocol.
25.Q: What is "Logrolling"? ANSWER A technique to turn a patient while
maintaining spinal alignment.
26.Q: What is the "Hypothermia" triad of death? ANSWER Acidosis,
Coagulopathy, Hypothermia.
27.Q: Why is warming a trauma patient critical? ANSWER Hypothermia
worsens coagulopathy and acidosis, leading to the "Trauma Triad of
Death."
28.Q: What is "Noise" in the trauma room? ANSWER Unnecessary talking
or chaos that can distract the team; the team leader is responsible for
minimizing it.
29.Q: What is "Backboard" time? ANSWER The duration a patient is
strapped to a long spine board; should be minimized to prevent skin
breakdown and pain.
30.Q: What is "Transfer" in trauma care? ANSWER Moving a patient to a
higher level of care when resources are insufficient.


Section 2: Airway & Breathing Management
31.Q: What is the first step in the "A" of the ABCDE assessment? ANSWER
Assess patency (is the airway open?).
32.Q: What is the preferred method for opening the airway in a trauma
patient? ANSWER Jaw-thrust maneuver (prevents movement of the
cervical spine).