Trauma Outcomes and Performance
Improvement Course (TOPIC®) ACTUAL Exam
ALREADY GRADED A+
SECTION 1: FOUNDATIONS AND CULTURE OF SAFETY
Q1. The Trauma Outcomes and Performance Improvement Course (TOPIC) is designed for
which audience?
A. Only Trauma Program Managers
B. Only physicians
C. All members of the trauma system team who participate in the ongoing assessment,
evaluation, and improvement of trauma care
D. Only administrators
Answer: C. All members of the trauma system team who participate in the ongoing
assessment, evaluation, and improvement of trauma care
Rationale: The STN TOPIC course is taught to all members of the trauma system team who
participate in the ongoing assessment, evaluation, and improvement of trauma care. It focuses
on the ongoing assessment of the continuum of trauma care with a structured review of process
and discussions of strategies to monitor trauma patient outcomes.
Q2. What is the primary focus of the TOPIC course?
A. Surgical techniques for trauma patients
B. Ongoing assessment of the continuum of trauma care with a structured review of process
and strategies to monitor trauma patient outcomes
C. Prehospital trauma triage protocols
D. Financial management of trauma centers
1
, Answer: B. Ongoing assessment of the continuum of trauma care with a structured review of
process and strategies to monitor trauma patient outcomes
Rationale: TOPIC focuses on the ongoing assessment of the continuum of trauma care with a
structured review of process and discussions of strategies to monitor trauma patient outcomes.
Q3. Which organization developed the TOPIC course?
A. American College of Surgeons (ACS)
B. Society of Trauma Nurses (STN)
C. Emergency Nurses Association (ENA)
D. American Trauma Society (ATS)
Answer: B. Society of Trauma Nurses (STN)
Rationale: The Society of Trauma Nurses (STN) has developed the "Trauma Outcomes and
Performance Improvement Course" in response to the need for education and better
understanding of the Performance Improvement process in trauma care.
Q4. A specialized version of the TOPIC course is available for which levels of trauma centers?
A. Level I and II
B. Level II and III
C. Level III and IV
D. Level IV only
Answer: C. Level III and IV
Rationale: The Rural TOPIC course is designed to assist rural Level III and IV facilities with their
trauma performance improvement plan and outcome management. It offers practical
application for Level 3 and 4 trauma centers from smaller communities with low volume or rural
settings.
Q5. What is the approximate duration of the standard TOPIC course?
A. 4 hours
B. 6 hours
C. 8 hours (one day)
D. 12 hours (two days)
2
, Answer: C. 8 hours (one day)
Rationale: The TOPIC course is taught in a one-day interactive modular format. The course
typically runs from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM.
Q6. The Rural TOPIC course is taught in what format?
A. A 2-day in-person workshop
B. A one-day online interactive modular format
C. A 4-week online course
D. A 6-month mentorship program
Answer: B. A one-day online interactive modular format
Rationale: The Virtual Rural TOPIC course is taught in a one-day online interactive Modular
Format, customized to best meet the needs of the individual trauma care provider participants.
Q7. Which of the following is a foundational component required to build a trauma program?
A. Committee structure
B. Policy development
C. Trauma registry/data tracking
D. All of the above
Answer: D. All of the above
Rationale: Foundational components required to build a trauma program include committee
structure, policy development, and trauma registry/data tracking.
Q8. What is the recommended course for Trauma Program Managers to complete for essential
information on trauma performance improvement?
A. STN TOPIC Course or Rural TOPIC Course
B. TNCC
C. ATLS
D. PALS
3
, Answer: A. STN TOPIC Course or Rural TOPIC Course
Rationale: The current recommended course for Trauma Program Managers to complete within
twelve months of hire is the STN TOPIC Course or Rural TOPIC Course.
Q9. How frequently should Trauma Program Managers complete the STN TOPIC Course or
Rural TOPIC Course?
A. Annually
B. Every 2 years
C. Every 4 years
D. Every 5 years
Answer: C. Every 4 years
Rationale: The Trauma Program Manager must complete the STN TOPIC Course or Rural TOPIC
Course and remain current with the continual advances in performance improvement,
completing the course a minimum every four years.
Q10. Who is responsible for ensuring national standards of care are provided at a trauma
facility?
A. Only the Trauma Medical Director
B. Only the Trauma Program Manager
C. The facility's Executive Leaders, TMD, and TPM
D. The state health department
Answer: C. The facility's Executive Leaders, TMD, and TPM
Rationale: The facility's Executive Leaders, Trauma Medical Director, and Trauma Program
Manager are responsible to ensure these national standards of care are provided.
Q11. What is the role of the Trauma Program Manager (TPM) in the facility?
A. Only clinical care
B. Integration and monitoring of compliance of trauma nursing standards of care, authority to
monitor trauma patient care through the trauma PI program, and monitoring clinical
outcomes and system performance
C. Only administrative duties
4
Improvement Course (TOPIC®) ACTUAL Exam
ALREADY GRADED A+
SECTION 1: FOUNDATIONS AND CULTURE OF SAFETY
Q1. The Trauma Outcomes and Performance Improvement Course (TOPIC) is designed for
which audience?
A. Only Trauma Program Managers
B. Only physicians
C. All members of the trauma system team who participate in the ongoing assessment,
evaluation, and improvement of trauma care
D. Only administrators
Answer: C. All members of the trauma system team who participate in the ongoing
assessment, evaluation, and improvement of trauma care
Rationale: The STN TOPIC course is taught to all members of the trauma system team who
participate in the ongoing assessment, evaluation, and improvement of trauma care. It focuses
on the ongoing assessment of the continuum of trauma care with a structured review of process
and discussions of strategies to monitor trauma patient outcomes.
Q2. What is the primary focus of the TOPIC course?
A. Surgical techniques for trauma patients
B. Ongoing assessment of the continuum of trauma care with a structured review of process
and strategies to monitor trauma patient outcomes
C. Prehospital trauma triage protocols
D. Financial management of trauma centers
1
, Answer: B. Ongoing assessment of the continuum of trauma care with a structured review of
process and strategies to monitor trauma patient outcomes
Rationale: TOPIC focuses on the ongoing assessment of the continuum of trauma care with a
structured review of process and discussions of strategies to monitor trauma patient outcomes.
Q3. Which organization developed the TOPIC course?
A. American College of Surgeons (ACS)
B. Society of Trauma Nurses (STN)
C. Emergency Nurses Association (ENA)
D. American Trauma Society (ATS)
Answer: B. Society of Trauma Nurses (STN)
Rationale: The Society of Trauma Nurses (STN) has developed the "Trauma Outcomes and
Performance Improvement Course" in response to the need for education and better
understanding of the Performance Improvement process in trauma care.
Q4. A specialized version of the TOPIC course is available for which levels of trauma centers?
A. Level I and II
B. Level II and III
C. Level III and IV
D. Level IV only
Answer: C. Level III and IV
Rationale: The Rural TOPIC course is designed to assist rural Level III and IV facilities with their
trauma performance improvement plan and outcome management. It offers practical
application for Level 3 and 4 trauma centers from smaller communities with low volume or rural
settings.
Q5. What is the approximate duration of the standard TOPIC course?
A. 4 hours
B. 6 hours
C. 8 hours (one day)
D. 12 hours (two days)
2
, Answer: C. 8 hours (one day)
Rationale: The TOPIC course is taught in a one-day interactive modular format. The course
typically runs from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM.
Q6. The Rural TOPIC course is taught in what format?
A. A 2-day in-person workshop
B. A one-day online interactive modular format
C. A 4-week online course
D. A 6-month mentorship program
Answer: B. A one-day online interactive modular format
Rationale: The Virtual Rural TOPIC course is taught in a one-day online interactive Modular
Format, customized to best meet the needs of the individual trauma care provider participants.
Q7. Which of the following is a foundational component required to build a trauma program?
A. Committee structure
B. Policy development
C. Trauma registry/data tracking
D. All of the above
Answer: D. All of the above
Rationale: Foundational components required to build a trauma program include committee
structure, policy development, and trauma registry/data tracking.
Q8. What is the recommended course for Trauma Program Managers to complete for essential
information on trauma performance improvement?
A. STN TOPIC Course or Rural TOPIC Course
B. TNCC
C. ATLS
D. PALS
3
, Answer: A. STN TOPIC Course or Rural TOPIC Course
Rationale: The current recommended course for Trauma Program Managers to complete within
twelve months of hire is the STN TOPIC Course or Rural TOPIC Course.
Q9. How frequently should Trauma Program Managers complete the STN TOPIC Course or
Rural TOPIC Course?
A. Annually
B. Every 2 years
C. Every 4 years
D. Every 5 years
Answer: C. Every 4 years
Rationale: The Trauma Program Manager must complete the STN TOPIC Course or Rural TOPIC
Course and remain current with the continual advances in performance improvement,
completing the course a minimum every four years.
Q10. Who is responsible for ensuring national standards of care are provided at a trauma
facility?
A. Only the Trauma Medical Director
B. Only the Trauma Program Manager
C. The facility's Executive Leaders, TMD, and TPM
D. The state health department
Answer: C. The facility's Executive Leaders, TMD, and TPM
Rationale: The facility's Executive Leaders, Trauma Medical Director, and Trauma Program
Manager are responsible to ensure these national standards of care are provided.
Q11. What is the role of the Trauma Program Manager (TPM) in the facility?
A. Only clinical care
B. Integration and monitoring of compliance of trauma nursing standards of care, authority to
monitor trauma patient care through the trauma PI program, and monitoring clinical
outcomes and system performance
C. Only administrative duties
4
