Trauma Unit Exam (Rewrite) Questions
and Answers | Latest Version | 2025/2026
| Correct & Verified
What is the first priority when assessing a trauma patient upon arrival to the emergency
department?
✔✔Ensure airway patency with cervical spine protection.
What is the primary goal of trauma resuscitation?
✔✔To restore oxygen delivery and tissue perfusion to vital organs.
What is the most common cause of preventable death in trauma patients?
✔✔Uncontrolled hemorrhage.
What does the “A” in the primary trauma survey stand for?
✔✔Airway with cervical spine stabilization.
What is the main purpose of the secondary trauma survey?
✔✔To identify additional injuries after life-threatening conditions are managed.
1
,When should spinal immobilization be maintained during trauma care?
✔✔Until spinal injury is ruled out by clinical assessment and imaging.
What is the first sign of hypovolemic shock in a trauma patient?
✔✔Tachycardia.
Why is rapid assessment of breathing important in trauma management?
✔✔To identify life-threatening chest injuries such as tension pneumothorax.
What is the best indicator of adequate tissue perfusion during trauma resuscitation?
✔✔Urine output and mental status.
Why is the Glasgow Coma Scale used in trauma assessment?
✔✔To evaluate the level of consciousness and detect neurological deterioration.
What is the main goal of fluid resuscitation in a trauma patient?
✔✔To restore intravascular volume and maintain perfusion.
2
,Why must the cervical spine always be stabilized in trauma?
✔✔Because spinal cord injury can occur even with minor movement.
What is the golden hour in trauma care?
✔✔The critical first hour after injury when prompt intervention improves survival.
Why is a rapid trauma assessment performed?
✔✔To quickly identify and manage life-threatening injuries.
What is the recommended first-line fluid for trauma resuscitation?
✔✔Isotonic crystalloids such as normal saline or lactated Ringer’s.
What is the priority when massive bleeding is suspected?
✔✔Apply direct pressure and control the source of hemorrhage.
Why should hypothermia be avoided in trauma patients?
✔✔Because it worsens coagulopathy and increases mortality.
3
, What is the role of the trauma team leader during resuscitation?
✔✔To coordinate and direct all aspects of patient management.
Why should trauma patients be kept NPO (nothing by mouth)?
✔✔In anticipation of possible surgery or anesthesia.
What is the most reliable early sign of internal bleeding?
✔✔Unexplained tachycardia and hypotension.
What does “mechanism of injury” help determine in trauma assessment?
✔✔The type and extent of possible internal injuries.
Why is oxygen administered to all trauma patients initially?
✔✔To maximize oxygen delivery to tissues and vital organs.
What is the priority intervention for an open chest wound?
✔✔Apply an occlusive dressing sealed on three sides.
4
and Answers | Latest Version | 2025/2026
| Correct & Verified
What is the first priority when assessing a trauma patient upon arrival to the emergency
department?
✔✔Ensure airway patency with cervical spine protection.
What is the primary goal of trauma resuscitation?
✔✔To restore oxygen delivery and tissue perfusion to vital organs.
What is the most common cause of preventable death in trauma patients?
✔✔Uncontrolled hemorrhage.
What does the “A” in the primary trauma survey stand for?
✔✔Airway with cervical spine stabilization.
What is the main purpose of the secondary trauma survey?
✔✔To identify additional injuries after life-threatening conditions are managed.
1
,When should spinal immobilization be maintained during trauma care?
✔✔Until spinal injury is ruled out by clinical assessment and imaging.
What is the first sign of hypovolemic shock in a trauma patient?
✔✔Tachycardia.
Why is rapid assessment of breathing important in trauma management?
✔✔To identify life-threatening chest injuries such as tension pneumothorax.
What is the best indicator of adequate tissue perfusion during trauma resuscitation?
✔✔Urine output and mental status.
Why is the Glasgow Coma Scale used in trauma assessment?
✔✔To evaluate the level of consciousness and detect neurological deterioration.
What is the main goal of fluid resuscitation in a trauma patient?
✔✔To restore intravascular volume and maintain perfusion.
2
,Why must the cervical spine always be stabilized in trauma?
✔✔Because spinal cord injury can occur even with minor movement.
What is the golden hour in trauma care?
✔✔The critical first hour after injury when prompt intervention improves survival.
Why is a rapid trauma assessment performed?
✔✔To quickly identify and manage life-threatening injuries.
What is the recommended first-line fluid for trauma resuscitation?
✔✔Isotonic crystalloids such as normal saline or lactated Ringer’s.
What is the priority when massive bleeding is suspected?
✔✔Apply direct pressure and control the source of hemorrhage.
Why should hypothermia be avoided in trauma patients?
✔✔Because it worsens coagulopathy and increases mortality.
3
, What is the role of the trauma team leader during resuscitation?
✔✔To coordinate and direct all aspects of patient management.
Why should trauma patients be kept NPO (nothing by mouth)?
✔✔In anticipation of possible surgery or anesthesia.
What is the most reliable early sign of internal bleeding?
✔✔Unexplained tachycardia and hypotension.
What does “mechanism of injury” help determine in trauma assessment?
✔✔The type and extent of possible internal injuries.
Why is oxygen administered to all trauma patients initially?
✔✔To maximize oxygen delivery to tissues and vital organs.
What is the priority intervention for an open chest wound?
✔✔Apply an occlusive dressing sealed on three sides.
4
