TNCC 9 TH EDITION FINAL ACTUAL EXAM NEWEST VERSION 2026
QUESTION AND CORRECT DETAILED VERIFIED ANSWERS FROM
VERIFIED SOURCES
1. The nurse admits a pt who was rescued from a smokey upstairs bedroom
during a home fire. The pt reports headache, nausea, and drowsiness, and skin
is red-purple. the nurse recognizes these symptoms are usually associated
with which condition?
carbon monoxide poisoning
superficial partial thickness burns
anxiety following a catastrophic event
lactic acidosis
2. A trauma patient is being held in the emergency department because there
are no available inpatient beds. The patient sustained a femur fracture and
required multiple blood products. The patient now has blood oozing from
abrasions, IV sites, the nose, and gums. What condition is most consistent with
these findings?
Disseminated intravascular coagulopathy
Multiple organ dysfunctions syndrome
Fat embolism
Rhabdomyolysis
3. In a scenario where a patient with a chest tube shows fluctuation in the water
seal chamber during transport, what would be the best course of action if the
patient suddenly becomes unstable?
Continue to the intensive care unit without intervention
Return to the emergency department
, Assist ventilations with bag-mask device
Clamp the chest tube immediately
4. A 41-year-old construction worker presents to the ER after something flew
and hit him in the eye at work which left him with severe right eye pain and
decreased visual acuity. On a physical exam, you notice a tear-drop-shaped
pupil. Seidel's test is positive. There is no other apparent trauma to the face.
Which of the following is the most likely diagnosis?
Corneal laceration
Foreign body
Globe rupture
Orbital blowout
5. A adult patient with a knife injury to the neck has an intact airway and is
hemodynamically stable. They complain of difficulty swallowing and
speaking. In the primary survey, further assessment is indicated next for which
of the following conditions?
An expanding pneumothorax
Damage to the cervical spine
Laceration of the carotid artery
Injury to the thyroid gland
6. Describe how hypotension can indicate a tension pneumothorax compared
to a simple pneumothorax.
Hypotension is unrelated to pneumothorax and indicates a different
medical issue.
Hypotension in tension pneumothorax results from compromised
circulation due to increased intrathoracic pressure, unlike simple
pneumothorax which may not affect blood pressure significantly.
, Hypotension indicates a lack of oxygen in the blood, which is the
same in both conditions.
Hypotension is common in both tension and simple pneumothorax
due to fluid loss.
7. Dysphagia after cervical spine injury is due to:
Pain
Edema
Scarring of the retropharyngeal space
Disruption of the pharyngeal plexus
All of the above is due to dysphagia after cervical spine injury
8. What is the first action to take when managing uncontrolled bleeding from a
wound?
Place the patient on supplemental oxygen
Initiate two intravenous access sites
Apply direct pressure to the wound
Use a tourniquet to control the bleeding
9. Describe the relationship between anticoagulant therapy and the risk of
developing post-concussive syndrome after a head injury in older adults.
Anticoagulant therapy has no effect on post-concussive syndrome
symptoms.
Anticoagulant therapy increases the risk of bleeding, which can
exacerbate symptoms of post-concussive syndrome after a head
injury.
Anticoagulant therapy prevents post-concussive syndrome by
reducing blood clots.
, Anticoagulant therapy only affects younger patients, not older adults.
10. What is the primary purpose of repositioning an endotracheal tube in a
trauma patient?
To facilitate suctioning of secretions.
To decrease the patient's anxiety.
To ensure proper placement and ventilation.
To allow for better oxygenation.
11. Why are severely diminished breath sounds on the right considered a critical
finding in a trauma patient with rib fractures and a pneumothorax?
Diminished breath sounds indicate a need for pain management.
Diminished breath sounds are normal after rib fractures.
Breath sounds are not relevant in trauma assessments.
Severely diminished breath sounds may indicate a significant
respiratory compromise or tension pneumothorax.
12. A patient with SCI at C5 is being cared for in the ED while awaiting transport
to a trauma center. Which of the following represents the highest priority for
ongoing assessment?
Administer balanced resuscitation fluid
Observe for signs of distributive shock
Perform serial assessments of neurologic function
Monitor respiratory status
13. What is a key feature of high-performing teams in trauma care?
Limited communication
Individual decision-making
QUESTION AND CORRECT DETAILED VERIFIED ANSWERS FROM
VERIFIED SOURCES
1. The nurse admits a pt who was rescued from a smokey upstairs bedroom
during a home fire. The pt reports headache, nausea, and drowsiness, and skin
is red-purple. the nurse recognizes these symptoms are usually associated
with which condition?
carbon monoxide poisoning
superficial partial thickness burns
anxiety following a catastrophic event
lactic acidosis
2. A trauma patient is being held in the emergency department because there
are no available inpatient beds. The patient sustained a femur fracture and
required multiple blood products. The patient now has blood oozing from
abrasions, IV sites, the nose, and gums. What condition is most consistent with
these findings?
Disseminated intravascular coagulopathy
Multiple organ dysfunctions syndrome
Fat embolism
Rhabdomyolysis
3. In a scenario where a patient with a chest tube shows fluctuation in the water
seal chamber during transport, what would be the best course of action if the
patient suddenly becomes unstable?
Continue to the intensive care unit without intervention
Return to the emergency department
, Assist ventilations with bag-mask device
Clamp the chest tube immediately
4. A 41-year-old construction worker presents to the ER after something flew
and hit him in the eye at work which left him with severe right eye pain and
decreased visual acuity. On a physical exam, you notice a tear-drop-shaped
pupil. Seidel's test is positive. There is no other apparent trauma to the face.
Which of the following is the most likely diagnosis?
Corneal laceration
Foreign body
Globe rupture
Orbital blowout
5. A adult patient with a knife injury to the neck has an intact airway and is
hemodynamically stable. They complain of difficulty swallowing and
speaking. In the primary survey, further assessment is indicated next for which
of the following conditions?
An expanding pneumothorax
Damage to the cervical spine
Laceration of the carotid artery
Injury to the thyroid gland
6. Describe how hypotension can indicate a tension pneumothorax compared
to a simple pneumothorax.
Hypotension is unrelated to pneumothorax and indicates a different
medical issue.
Hypotension in tension pneumothorax results from compromised
circulation due to increased intrathoracic pressure, unlike simple
pneumothorax which may not affect blood pressure significantly.
, Hypotension indicates a lack of oxygen in the blood, which is the
same in both conditions.
Hypotension is common in both tension and simple pneumothorax
due to fluid loss.
7. Dysphagia after cervical spine injury is due to:
Pain
Edema
Scarring of the retropharyngeal space
Disruption of the pharyngeal plexus
All of the above is due to dysphagia after cervical spine injury
8. What is the first action to take when managing uncontrolled bleeding from a
wound?
Place the patient on supplemental oxygen
Initiate two intravenous access sites
Apply direct pressure to the wound
Use a tourniquet to control the bleeding
9. Describe the relationship between anticoagulant therapy and the risk of
developing post-concussive syndrome after a head injury in older adults.
Anticoagulant therapy has no effect on post-concussive syndrome
symptoms.
Anticoagulant therapy increases the risk of bleeding, which can
exacerbate symptoms of post-concussive syndrome after a head
injury.
Anticoagulant therapy prevents post-concussive syndrome by
reducing blood clots.
, Anticoagulant therapy only affects younger patients, not older adults.
10. What is the primary purpose of repositioning an endotracheal tube in a
trauma patient?
To facilitate suctioning of secretions.
To decrease the patient's anxiety.
To ensure proper placement and ventilation.
To allow for better oxygenation.
11. Why are severely diminished breath sounds on the right considered a critical
finding in a trauma patient with rib fractures and a pneumothorax?
Diminished breath sounds indicate a need for pain management.
Diminished breath sounds are normal after rib fractures.
Breath sounds are not relevant in trauma assessments.
Severely diminished breath sounds may indicate a significant
respiratory compromise or tension pneumothorax.
12. A patient with SCI at C5 is being cared for in the ED while awaiting transport
to a trauma center. Which of the following represents the highest priority for
ongoing assessment?
Administer balanced resuscitation fluid
Observe for signs of distributive shock
Perform serial assessments of neurologic function
Monitor respiratory status
13. What is a key feature of high-performing teams in trauma care?
Limited communication
Individual decision-making
