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TNCC 9th Edition Exam — Practice Questions with Detailed Rationales Trauma Nursing Core Course
| 2026–2027 Latest Update | Original Questions & Answers | Graded A+
SECTION 1: TRAUMA NURSING PROCESS & INITIAL
ASSESSMENT — Questions
Q1. During the preparation and triage phase, what is the
primary responsibility of the trauma nurse?
A) Administering pain medication
B) Ensuring equipment and team readiness before patient
arrival
C) Completing the patient's discharge paperwork
D) Contacting the patient's family
Answer: B
Rationale: The preparation and triage phase focuses on
readiness: ensuring the trauma bay is set up, equipment is
functional, team roles are assigned, and personal protective
equipment is available. Pain medication, discharge paperwork,
and family contact occur later in the process.
Q2. Which of the following best describes the trauma nursing
process?
A) A linear sequence that never repeats
B) A systematic, cyclical approach to trauma care
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C) A process used only in the prehospital setting
D) A documentation method only
Answer: B
Rationale: The trauma nursing process is cyclical and
systematic, allowing for continuous reevaluation and
adjustment of priorities as the patient's condition changes. It is
used in hospital settings, not just prehospital, and is an active
process, not just documentation.
Q3. What is the recommended temperature of the trauma
resuscitation room?
A) 60°F (15.6°C)
B) 70°F (21.1°C)
C) 75–80°F (23.9–26.7°C)
D) 85–90°F (29.4–32.2°C)
Answer: C
Rationale: The trauma room should be maintained at 75–80°F
to prevent hypothermia in the trauma patient, who is already at
risk due to exposure, shock, and fluid administration. Cooler
temperatures exacerbate coagulopathy and worsen outcomes.
Q4. What is the first step in the trauma nursing process?
A) Complete secondary survey
B) Preparation and triage
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C) Focused abdominal assessment
D) Administer tetanus prophylaxis
Answer: B
Rationale: The trauma nursing process begins with preparation
and triage, ensuring the team, equipment, and environment are
ready before patient arrival. This systematic approach prevents
delays in life-saving interventions.
Q5. Which of the following is the correct sequence of the
primary survey?
A) Breathing, Airway, Circulation, Disability, Exposure
B) Airway with cervical spine protection, Breathing, Circulation,
Disability, Exposure
C) Circulation, Airway, Breathing, Disability, Exposure
D) Disability, Airway, Breathing, Circulation, Exposure
Answer: B
Rationale: The TNCC 9th Edition primary survey follows the
ABCDE framework: Airway with cervical spine protection,
Breathing, Circulation with hemorrhage control, Disability
(neurologic status), and Exposure/Environmental control.
Q6. A trauma patient arrives with a Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS)
score of 8. What is the priority nursing intervention?
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A) Prepare for immediate intubation
B) Administer pain medication
C) Perform a detailed physical examination
D) Obtain a complete medical history
Answer: A
Rationale: A GCS score of 8 or less indicates severe traumatic
brain injury and an inability to protect the airway. The priority is
definitive airway management through intubation to prevent
hypoxia and aspiration.
Q7. During the primary survey, which finding indicates a life-
threatening condition requiring immediate intervention?
A) A deformed extremity
B) A scalp laceration
C) Absent breath sounds on one side
D) A fractured pelvis on X-ray
Answer: C
Rationale: Absent breath sounds on one side suggests a tension
pneumothorax or massive hemothorax, both immediately life-
threatening conditions requiring rapid decompression or chest
tube insertion.
Q8. What is the priority intervention for a patient with a
traumatic amputation and uncontrolled spurting blood?
TNCC 9th Edition Exam — Practice Questions with Detailed Rationales Trauma Nursing Core Course
| 2026–2027 Latest Update | Original Questions & Answers | Graded A+
SECTION 1: TRAUMA NURSING PROCESS & INITIAL
ASSESSMENT — Questions
Q1. During the preparation and triage phase, what is the
primary responsibility of the trauma nurse?
A) Administering pain medication
B) Ensuring equipment and team readiness before patient
arrival
C) Completing the patient's discharge paperwork
D) Contacting the patient's family
Answer: B
Rationale: The preparation and triage phase focuses on
readiness: ensuring the trauma bay is set up, equipment is
functional, team roles are assigned, and personal protective
equipment is available. Pain medication, discharge paperwork,
and family contact occur later in the process.
Q2. Which of the following best describes the trauma nursing
process?
A) A linear sequence that never repeats
B) A systematic, cyclical approach to trauma care
, Page |2
C) A process used only in the prehospital setting
D) A documentation method only
Answer: B
Rationale: The trauma nursing process is cyclical and
systematic, allowing for continuous reevaluation and
adjustment of priorities as the patient's condition changes. It is
used in hospital settings, not just prehospital, and is an active
process, not just documentation.
Q3. What is the recommended temperature of the trauma
resuscitation room?
A) 60°F (15.6°C)
B) 70°F (21.1°C)
C) 75–80°F (23.9–26.7°C)
D) 85–90°F (29.4–32.2°C)
Answer: C
Rationale: The trauma room should be maintained at 75–80°F
to prevent hypothermia in the trauma patient, who is already at
risk due to exposure, shock, and fluid administration. Cooler
temperatures exacerbate coagulopathy and worsen outcomes.
Q4. What is the first step in the trauma nursing process?
A) Complete secondary survey
B) Preparation and triage
, Page |3
C) Focused abdominal assessment
D) Administer tetanus prophylaxis
Answer: B
Rationale: The trauma nursing process begins with preparation
and triage, ensuring the team, equipment, and environment are
ready before patient arrival. This systematic approach prevents
delays in life-saving interventions.
Q5. Which of the following is the correct sequence of the
primary survey?
A) Breathing, Airway, Circulation, Disability, Exposure
B) Airway with cervical spine protection, Breathing, Circulation,
Disability, Exposure
C) Circulation, Airway, Breathing, Disability, Exposure
D) Disability, Airway, Breathing, Circulation, Exposure
Answer: B
Rationale: The TNCC 9th Edition primary survey follows the
ABCDE framework: Airway with cervical spine protection,
Breathing, Circulation with hemorrhage control, Disability
(neurologic status), and Exposure/Environmental control.
Q6. A trauma patient arrives with a Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS)
score of 8. What is the priority nursing intervention?
, Page |4
A) Prepare for immediate intubation
B) Administer pain medication
C) Perform a detailed physical examination
D) Obtain a complete medical history
Answer: A
Rationale: A GCS score of 8 or less indicates severe traumatic
brain injury and an inability to protect the airway. The priority is
definitive airway management through intubation to prevent
hypoxia and aspiration.
Q7. During the primary survey, which finding indicates a life-
threatening condition requiring immediate intervention?
A) A deformed extremity
B) A scalp laceration
C) Absent breath sounds on one side
D) A fractured pelvis on X-ray
Answer: C
Rationale: Absent breath sounds on one side suggests a tension
pneumothorax or massive hemothorax, both immediately life-
threatening conditions requiring rapid decompression or chest
tube insertion.
Q8. What is the priority intervention for a patient with a
traumatic amputation and uncontrolled spurting blood?
