TCRN Practice Questions And Answers
2025
A transcranial doppler is obtained for a patient with a traumatic
subarachnoid hemorrhage. The doppler is positive for vasospasm.
The trauma nurse would expect which of the following
medications to be prescribed? - correct answers ✅✅A
vasospasm is a known complication of subarachnoid
hemorrhages. Calcium channel blockers are used to prevent or
reverse vasospasms and are frequently used in the treatment of a
subarachnoid hemorrhage. Metoprolol, Hydralazine and Lisinopril
are not calcium channel blockers and would not be effective to
prevent and treat vasospasms caused by a subarachnoid
hemorrhage
Which chamber of the heart is most likely to be affected in blunt
cardiac injuries? - correct answers ✅✅Given the anatomical
position of the heart in the chest, the right ventricle is most
exposed to the anterior portion of the chest wall and is most likely
to be injured in a blunt cardiac injury. Patients with blunt cardiac
injuries frequently experience signs of right ventricular failure.
Additional findings that are associated with blunt cardiac injuries
include hypotension, atrial fibrillation, unexplained sinus
tachycardia, multiple PVCs, ST segment changes and right bundle
branch blocks. The left atrium, right atrium and left ventricle are
less likely to be injured in a blunt cardiac injury.
A widened mediastinum is noted on the chest x-ray of a
traumatically injured hypotensive patient. The trauma nurse
would anticipate gathering which of the following pieces of
equipment as the highest priority in this scenario? - correct
answers ✅✅A widened mediastinum on chest x-ray,
accompanied by hypotension, is strongly indicative of an aortic
injury. One of the most life-threatening complications of an aortic
,TCRN Practice Questions And Answers
2025
injury is blood loss, which can be treated by giving blood products
via a rapid transfuser. Although patient assessment may be
enhanced by inserting an arterial line, this is less of a priority than
giving fluids rapidly. A chest tube is placed in the pleural space
rather than the mediastinum and is therefore not indicated in this
scenario. Similarly, there is nothing in this scenario that indicates
a pericardiocentesis is indicated so this is not a higher priority
than preparing a rapid transfuser.
A properly applied pelvic binder sits across the: - correct answers
✅✅A properly applied pelvic binder is applied across the greater
trochanters of the femur. This allows for optimal compression of
the pelvis to control bleeding. Applying it across the midshaft of
the femur is too low and would provide no therapeutic benefit.
Applying it across the pelvic ring or the iliac crests is too high and
could actually separate the pelvis further, increasing bleeding and
internal damage.
Treatment for an extraperitoneal bladder rupture will most likely
include: - correct answers ✅✅Bladder lacerations that are
located below the pelvic peritoneum are diagnosed as an
extraperitoneal bladder rupture. If a laceration is found along with
pelvic peritoneum, it would then be classified as an
intraperitoneal bladder rupture. Management of an
extraperitoneal bladder rupture involves urinary catheterization
(urethral or suprapubic) to facilitate urinary drainage from the
bladder. Intraperitoneal bladder ruptures require surgical
intervention for definitive closure. An isolated extraperitoneal
bladder rupture does not require emergent surgical repair or
interventional radiology.
,TCRN Practice Questions And Answers
2025
Hyperextension of the neck is known to cause: - correct answers
✅✅Hyperextension of the neck (the head snapping backwards
commonly seen in "whiplash" injuries) causes compression and
damage to the posterior portion of the spinal cord. In anterior
cord syndrome, the mechanism of injury is the opposite of
posterior cord syndrome (a hyperflexion injury where the neck
hyperextends forward - chin to chest) causing injury to the
anterior portion of the spinal cord. A cauda equina syndrome
causes injury to the sacral nerve roots within the spinal canal and
is caused by falling directly on the sacrum. Brown-Sequard
Syndrome caused by penetrating trauma to the lateral aspect of
the spinal cord will cause a left to right phenomenon instead of a
top down phenomenon.
A patient has a Zone II penetrating neck injury with penetration
through the platysma. The trauma nurse knows that this patient is
at increased risk of injury to: - correct answers ✅✅The platysma
is a muscle in the neck that gives support and protection to the
vital structures underneath it. Any time there is penetration
through the platysma, there is an increased risk of damage to the
underlying structures in the neck. The neck is divided into three
zones. Zone I extends from the sternal notch and clavicle up to
the cricothyroid cartilage. Zone II extends from the cricothyroid
cartilage upward to the angle of the mandible. Zone III extends
from the angle of the mandible to the base of the skull. Structures
found in Zone I include the subclavian artery, vertebral artery,
lung apices, trachea, thyroid and esophagus. Zone II includes the
internal jugular vein, esophagus, larynx, vagus nerve, carotid
artery and vertebral artery. Zone III includes the salivary and
, TCRN Practice Questions And Answers
2025
parotid glands, cranial nerves IX-XII, vertebral artery, distal carotid
artery, and distal jugular vein.
A pregnant patient's fundal height is palpated 6 cm above the
umbilicus. What is the estimated gestational age of the fetus? -
correct answers ✅✅Fundal height is defined as the distance from
the pubic bone to the top of the uterus in centimeters. In general,
the fundus reaches the umbilicus by 20 weeks. Every centimeter
past that point is measured as 1 week. If every one centimeter
above the umbilicus equals one week, then the patient is
approximately 26 weeks gestation.
Appropriate care for an amputated body part includes: - correct
answers ✅✅When caring for an amputated body part, the
trauma nurse should clean the part removing any dirt and debris,
wrapping the part in a slightly saline moistened gauze, and then
placing it in a sealed plastic bag. At this time, the part should be
placed in a second bag containing a mixture of ice and water. It is
imperative that the part does not freeze or does not come into
contact with water (which is hypotonic to body tissue). Also
ensure that the amputated part is properly labeled with the
patient information.
Decontamination with water is discouraged in patients exposed to
powdered: - correct answers ✅✅Dry chemicals that should not
be irrigated with water include dry lime, elemental metals
(including sodium, potassium, magnesium lithium and
phosphorus) and phenol. When exposed to water these
substances will cause a harmful exothermic or "heat producing"
reaction burning the patient's skin. They may also release
2025
A transcranial doppler is obtained for a patient with a traumatic
subarachnoid hemorrhage. The doppler is positive for vasospasm.
The trauma nurse would expect which of the following
medications to be prescribed? - correct answers ✅✅A
vasospasm is a known complication of subarachnoid
hemorrhages. Calcium channel blockers are used to prevent or
reverse vasospasms and are frequently used in the treatment of a
subarachnoid hemorrhage. Metoprolol, Hydralazine and Lisinopril
are not calcium channel blockers and would not be effective to
prevent and treat vasospasms caused by a subarachnoid
hemorrhage
Which chamber of the heart is most likely to be affected in blunt
cardiac injuries? - correct answers ✅✅Given the anatomical
position of the heart in the chest, the right ventricle is most
exposed to the anterior portion of the chest wall and is most likely
to be injured in a blunt cardiac injury. Patients with blunt cardiac
injuries frequently experience signs of right ventricular failure.
Additional findings that are associated with blunt cardiac injuries
include hypotension, atrial fibrillation, unexplained sinus
tachycardia, multiple PVCs, ST segment changes and right bundle
branch blocks. The left atrium, right atrium and left ventricle are
less likely to be injured in a blunt cardiac injury.
A widened mediastinum is noted on the chest x-ray of a
traumatically injured hypotensive patient. The trauma nurse
would anticipate gathering which of the following pieces of
equipment as the highest priority in this scenario? - correct
answers ✅✅A widened mediastinum on chest x-ray,
accompanied by hypotension, is strongly indicative of an aortic
injury. One of the most life-threatening complications of an aortic
,TCRN Practice Questions And Answers
2025
injury is blood loss, which can be treated by giving blood products
via a rapid transfuser. Although patient assessment may be
enhanced by inserting an arterial line, this is less of a priority than
giving fluids rapidly. A chest tube is placed in the pleural space
rather than the mediastinum and is therefore not indicated in this
scenario. Similarly, there is nothing in this scenario that indicates
a pericardiocentesis is indicated so this is not a higher priority
than preparing a rapid transfuser.
A properly applied pelvic binder sits across the: - correct answers
✅✅A properly applied pelvic binder is applied across the greater
trochanters of the femur. This allows for optimal compression of
the pelvis to control bleeding. Applying it across the midshaft of
the femur is too low and would provide no therapeutic benefit.
Applying it across the pelvic ring or the iliac crests is too high and
could actually separate the pelvis further, increasing bleeding and
internal damage.
Treatment for an extraperitoneal bladder rupture will most likely
include: - correct answers ✅✅Bladder lacerations that are
located below the pelvic peritoneum are diagnosed as an
extraperitoneal bladder rupture. If a laceration is found along with
pelvic peritoneum, it would then be classified as an
intraperitoneal bladder rupture. Management of an
extraperitoneal bladder rupture involves urinary catheterization
(urethral or suprapubic) to facilitate urinary drainage from the
bladder. Intraperitoneal bladder ruptures require surgical
intervention for definitive closure. An isolated extraperitoneal
bladder rupture does not require emergent surgical repair or
interventional radiology.
,TCRN Practice Questions And Answers
2025
Hyperextension of the neck is known to cause: - correct answers
✅✅Hyperextension of the neck (the head snapping backwards
commonly seen in "whiplash" injuries) causes compression and
damage to the posterior portion of the spinal cord. In anterior
cord syndrome, the mechanism of injury is the opposite of
posterior cord syndrome (a hyperflexion injury where the neck
hyperextends forward - chin to chest) causing injury to the
anterior portion of the spinal cord. A cauda equina syndrome
causes injury to the sacral nerve roots within the spinal canal and
is caused by falling directly on the sacrum. Brown-Sequard
Syndrome caused by penetrating trauma to the lateral aspect of
the spinal cord will cause a left to right phenomenon instead of a
top down phenomenon.
A patient has a Zone II penetrating neck injury with penetration
through the platysma. The trauma nurse knows that this patient is
at increased risk of injury to: - correct answers ✅✅The platysma
is a muscle in the neck that gives support and protection to the
vital structures underneath it. Any time there is penetration
through the platysma, there is an increased risk of damage to the
underlying structures in the neck. The neck is divided into three
zones. Zone I extends from the sternal notch and clavicle up to
the cricothyroid cartilage. Zone II extends from the cricothyroid
cartilage upward to the angle of the mandible. Zone III extends
from the angle of the mandible to the base of the skull. Structures
found in Zone I include the subclavian artery, vertebral artery,
lung apices, trachea, thyroid and esophagus. Zone II includes the
internal jugular vein, esophagus, larynx, vagus nerve, carotid
artery and vertebral artery. Zone III includes the salivary and
, TCRN Practice Questions And Answers
2025
parotid glands, cranial nerves IX-XII, vertebral artery, distal carotid
artery, and distal jugular vein.
A pregnant patient's fundal height is palpated 6 cm above the
umbilicus. What is the estimated gestational age of the fetus? -
correct answers ✅✅Fundal height is defined as the distance from
the pubic bone to the top of the uterus in centimeters. In general,
the fundus reaches the umbilicus by 20 weeks. Every centimeter
past that point is measured as 1 week. If every one centimeter
above the umbilicus equals one week, then the patient is
approximately 26 weeks gestation.
Appropriate care for an amputated body part includes: - correct
answers ✅✅When caring for an amputated body part, the
trauma nurse should clean the part removing any dirt and debris,
wrapping the part in a slightly saline moistened gauze, and then
placing it in a sealed plastic bag. At this time, the part should be
placed in a second bag containing a mixture of ice and water. It is
imperative that the part does not freeze or does not come into
contact with water (which is hypotonic to body tissue). Also
ensure that the amputated part is properly labeled with the
patient information.
Decontamination with water is discouraged in patients exposed to
powdered: - correct answers ✅✅Dry chemicals that should not
be irrigated with water include dry lime, elemental metals
(including sodium, potassium, magnesium lithium and
phosphorus) and phenol. When exposed to water these
substances will cause a harmful exothermic or "heat producing"
reaction burning the patient's skin. They may also release
