TNCC PRACTICE EXAM PAPER 2026
QUESTIONS WITH ANSWERS GRADED A+
◉ A patient with a chest tube transported to the ICU and fluctuation is
noted in the water seal chamber during inspiration and expiration. What
is the best action for the nurse to take?
a) clamp the chest tube
b) return to the ED
c) assist with ventilation via bag-mask device
d) continue to ICU. Answer: d) continue to ICU
fluctuation of the water seal chamber during insp and expr is a normal
finding
◉ Caregivers carry a 2-year old into the ED who fell out of 2nd story
window. The patient is awake and crying with increased work of
breathing and pale skin. which of the following interventions has the
highest priority?
a) stabilizing the cervical spine
b) applying a nonrebreather mask
c) establishing IV access
d) preparing for drug-assisted intubation. Answer: a) stabilizing the
cervical spine
,◉ A retained driver involved in a motor vehicle collision is being
brought to the ED with abdominal, pelvic, and bilateral lower extremity
pain. Vital signs are BP 147/78, HR 98 bpm. A FAST exam is negative
for fluid in the abdominal and peritoneal cavities. Which of the
following should the nurse anticipate?
a) diagnostic peritoneal lavage
b) angiography
c) non-contrast abdominal CT
d) serial abdominal assessments. Answer: d) serial abdominal
assessments
The FAST exam is done at the bedside to identify pathological fluid in
the abdominal and pelvic cavities and reduces the need for more
invasive testing. However, a negative FAST exam does not rule out
injury, so serial abdominal assessments should occur. If a CT scan is
indicated, it should be done with contrast
◉ A patient arrives with a 3-inch laceration to their forearm from a tree
branch. Which of the following methods will the nurse use to remove
small pieces of bark and debris from the wound?
a) low pressure irrigation
b) high pressure irrigation
c) scrubbing with normal saline
d) scrubbing with tap water. Answer: b) high pressure irrigation
, low pressure irrigation used for larger wounds
◉ Three adults present at different times during a one-hour period with
high fever, fatigue, and headache. All three patients have a rash which
started on their mouth, face, and arms with progression to the chest and
abdomen. They all visited the same grocery store within the last week.
What is the most appropriate intervention from the triage of these
patients?
a) move them to a decontamination area
b) mask the patients and send them to the waiting room
c) immediately initiate isolation precautions
d) send them to the waiting room without a mask. Answer: c)
immediately initiate isolation precautions
The fact that mult people with different demographics are appearing
with similar signs and symptoms would alear the nurse to a possible
biological exposure. These patients should be placed in isolation to
prevent the possible spread and further determination can be made.
◉ What is the most important consideration during the initial assessment
when caring for an older adult who has sustained serious injuries?
a) they are likely to be fearful in the ED
b) medical history including current medications
c) availability of support systems after discharge
QUESTIONS WITH ANSWERS GRADED A+
◉ A patient with a chest tube transported to the ICU and fluctuation is
noted in the water seal chamber during inspiration and expiration. What
is the best action for the nurse to take?
a) clamp the chest tube
b) return to the ED
c) assist with ventilation via bag-mask device
d) continue to ICU. Answer: d) continue to ICU
fluctuation of the water seal chamber during insp and expr is a normal
finding
◉ Caregivers carry a 2-year old into the ED who fell out of 2nd story
window. The patient is awake and crying with increased work of
breathing and pale skin. which of the following interventions has the
highest priority?
a) stabilizing the cervical spine
b) applying a nonrebreather mask
c) establishing IV access
d) preparing for drug-assisted intubation. Answer: a) stabilizing the
cervical spine
,◉ A retained driver involved in a motor vehicle collision is being
brought to the ED with abdominal, pelvic, and bilateral lower extremity
pain. Vital signs are BP 147/78, HR 98 bpm. A FAST exam is negative
for fluid in the abdominal and peritoneal cavities. Which of the
following should the nurse anticipate?
a) diagnostic peritoneal lavage
b) angiography
c) non-contrast abdominal CT
d) serial abdominal assessments. Answer: d) serial abdominal
assessments
The FAST exam is done at the bedside to identify pathological fluid in
the abdominal and pelvic cavities and reduces the need for more
invasive testing. However, a negative FAST exam does not rule out
injury, so serial abdominal assessments should occur. If a CT scan is
indicated, it should be done with contrast
◉ A patient arrives with a 3-inch laceration to their forearm from a tree
branch. Which of the following methods will the nurse use to remove
small pieces of bark and debris from the wound?
a) low pressure irrigation
b) high pressure irrigation
c) scrubbing with normal saline
d) scrubbing with tap water. Answer: b) high pressure irrigation
, low pressure irrigation used for larger wounds
◉ Three adults present at different times during a one-hour period with
high fever, fatigue, and headache. All three patients have a rash which
started on their mouth, face, and arms with progression to the chest and
abdomen. They all visited the same grocery store within the last week.
What is the most appropriate intervention from the triage of these
patients?
a) move them to a decontamination area
b) mask the patients and send them to the waiting room
c) immediately initiate isolation precautions
d) send them to the waiting room without a mask. Answer: c)
immediately initiate isolation precautions
The fact that mult people with different demographics are appearing
with similar signs and symptoms would alear the nurse to a possible
biological exposure. These patients should be placed in isolation to
prevent the possible spread and further determination can be made.
◉ What is the most important consideration during the initial assessment
when caring for an older adult who has sustained serious injuries?
a) they are likely to be fearful in the ED
b) medical history including current medications
c) availability of support systems after discharge
