ATCN REVIEW ACTUAL EXAM PAPER 2026
QUESTIONS WITH SOLUTIONS GRADED A+
◉ Signs and sx of cardiac tamponade.
Answer: 1. Becks Triad= increased venous pressure(distended neck
veins), decreased arterial pressure(hypotension), muffled heart
tones
2. PEA
3. JVD &/or Kussmauls sign
4. Use FAST to dx
◉ tension pneumothorax can often be confused with cardiac
tamponade, how do you differentiate?.
Answer: Careful assessment of the pt's breath sounds is paramount
to differentiate the two
◉ Tx of tension pneumothorax.
Answer: 1. Needle decompression- large bore needle 2nd intercostal
space midclavicular line 2. chest tube 4 or 5th intercostal space mid
axillary
◉ triad of death.
,Answer: -Acidosis
- Hypothermia
- Coagulopathy (blood can't clot resulting in continued bleeding)
◉ rule of 9's adult.
Answer: Head = 9%
Chest (front) = 9%
Abdomen (front) = 9%
Upper/mid/low back and buttocks = 18%
Each arm = 9% (front = 4.5%, back = 4.5%)
Groin = 1%
Each leg = 18% total (front = 9%, back = 9%)
◉ Rule of 9's - Pediatric.
Answer: Anterior/Posterior Head - 9% Each
Anterior/Posterior Torson - 18% Each
Anterior/Posterior Arms - 4.5% Each
Anterior/Posterior Legs - 7% Each
◉ signs and symptoms of compartment syndrome.
Answer: Early signs and sx
, 1. increased pain, greater than expected and out of proportion to the
injury
2. Palpable tenseness of the compartment
3. asymmetry of the muscle compartment
4. pain on passive stretch
5.altered sensation
Note: Absent distal pulses and poor cap refill are not reliable in dx
compartment syndrome. May be a very late sign of C.S. possibility of
proximal vascular injury should be considered
◉ Indications for thoracotomy.
Answer: thoracotomy is indicated when output exceeds 1500 mL
within 24 hours, THE INDICATIONS for thoracotomy after traumatic
injury typically include shock, arrest at presentation, diagnosis of
specific injuries (such as blunt aortic injury), or ongoing thoracic
hemorrhage.
◉ blunt cardiac injury s and sx.
Answer: sx can be slow and gradual and silent. hypotension,
tachycardia, arrhythmias and dysrhythmias, visible trauma,
distended neck veins, muffled heart sounds, and other signs of
shock.
Note: rapid deceleration
QUESTIONS WITH SOLUTIONS GRADED A+
◉ Signs and sx of cardiac tamponade.
Answer: 1. Becks Triad= increased venous pressure(distended neck
veins), decreased arterial pressure(hypotension), muffled heart
tones
2. PEA
3. JVD &/or Kussmauls sign
4. Use FAST to dx
◉ tension pneumothorax can often be confused with cardiac
tamponade, how do you differentiate?.
Answer: Careful assessment of the pt's breath sounds is paramount
to differentiate the two
◉ Tx of tension pneumothorax.
Answer: 1. Needle decompression- large bore needle 2nd intercostal
space midclavicular line 2. chest tube 4 or 5th intercostal space mid
axillary
◉ triad of death.
,Answer: -Acidosis
- Hypothermia
- Coagulopathy (blood can't clot resulting in continued bleeding)
◉ rule of 9's adult.
Answer: Head = 9%
Chest (front) = 9%
Abdomen (front) = 9%
Upper/mid/low back and buttocks = 18%
Each arm = 9% (front = 4.5%, back = 4.5%)
Groin = 1%
Each leg = 18% total (front = 9%, back = 9%)
◉ Rule of 9's - Pediatric.
Answer: Anterior/Posterior Head - 9% Each
Anterior/Posterior Torson - 18% Each
Anterior/Posterior Arms - 4.5% Each
Anterior/Posterior Legs - 7% Each
◉ signs and symptoms of compartment syndrome.
Answer: Early signs and sx
, 1. increased pain, greater than expected and out of proportion to the
injury
2. Palpable tenseness of the compartment
3. asymmetry of the muscle compartment
4. pain on passive stretch
5.altered sensation
Note: Absent distal pulses and poor cap refill are not reliable in dx
compartment syndrome. May be a very late sign of C.S. possibility of
proximal vascular injury should be considered
◉ Indications for thoracotomy.
Answer: thoracotomy is indicated when output exceeds 1500 mL
within 24 hours, THE INDICATIONS for thoracotomy after traumatic
injury typically include shock, arrest at presentation, diagnosis of
specific injuries (such as blunt aortic injury), or ongoing thoracic
hemorrhage.
◉ blunt cardiac injury s and sx.
Answer: sx can be slow and gradual and silent. hypotension,
tachycardia, arrhythmias and dysrhythmias, visible trauma,
distended neck veins, muffled heart sounds, and other signs of
shock.
Note: rapid deceleration
