TNCC 9th Edition Final Exam Questions and Verified
Correct Answers (2025/2026 Updated)
You are caring for a patient who was thrown from a bike and was not wearing a
helmet. While performing the head-to-toe assessment, you note clear drainage
from the right ear. Which of the following is the most appropriate next step?
A. Clean the ear with a cotton-tipped applicator.
B. Pack the ear with gauze.
C. Notify the physician
D. Document and continue the exam.
C. Notify the physician
A patient is brought to the emergency department of a rural hospital following a
high-speed motor vehicle collision. When significant abdominal and pelvic
injuries are noted in the primary survey, what is the priority intervention?
A. Initiate transfer to a trauma center
B. Attempt family notification
C. Obtain additional imaging studies
D. Place an indwelling urinary catheter
A. Initiate transfer to a trauma center
An adult who fell from a second story roof is brought to the emergency
department by private vehicle. The patient is confused with unlabored
respirations and has strong, palpable radial pulses. There is an open wound in
proximity to an obvious deformity of the left lower extremity. What is the priority
intervention?
A. Initiate cervical spine stabilization
B. Apply a splint to the lower extremity
C. Put the patient on portable oxygen.
D. Log roll the patient onto a spine board
, A. Initiate cervical spine stabilization
An adult patient who sustained a severe head trauma has been intubated and is
being manually ventilated via a bag-mask device at a rate of 18 breaths/minute.
The patient has received one intravenous fluid bolus of 500 mL of warmed
isotonic crystalloid solution. The PaCO2 is 30 mm Hg (4.0 kPa), and the pulse
oximetry is 92%. BP is 142/70 mm Hg. What is the most important intervention to
manage the cerebral blood flow?
A. Decrease the rate of manual ventilation.
B. Initiate another fluid bolus.
C. Recheck endotracheal tube placement.
D. Increase the amount of oxygen delivered.
A. Decrease the rate of manual ventilation.
An adult patient is brought to the emergency department following a vehicle "roll-
over" with prolonged extrication. Assessment reveals swelling and bruising to
the right proximal thigh and a weak pedal pulse. Skin is pale, cool, and moist.
What is the most appropriate initial intervention?
A. Application of a tourniquet to the affected extremity
B. Application of a pelvic binder
C. Fluid resuscitation to maintain a urine output of 0.5 mL/kg/hour
D. Oxygen to maintain the ETCO2 between 30-35 mm Hg (3.9-4.6 kPa)
B. Application of a pelvic binder
2. Which of the following situations could cause functional grief?
A. Inability to live at home
B. Amputation of a limb
C. Loss of one's self-image
D. Destruction of the patient's car
B. Amputation of a limb
Rationale: Preparation and Ongoing Care\Psychosocial Aspects
Functional grief relates to the loss of body function or body parts such as
amputation of a limb, paralysis, or loss of sight.
, 3. 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 emergency department
B. Medical history including current medications
C. Availability of support systems after discharge
D. Accessibility to a primary care physician
B. Medical history including current medications
4. You are caring for a patient who was thrown from a bike and was not wearing a
helmet. While performing the head-to-toe assessment, you note clear drainage
from the right ear. Which of the following is the most appropriate next step?
A. Clean the ear with a cotton-tipped applicator.
B. Pack the ear with gauze.
C. Notify the physician
D. Document and continue the exam.
C. Notify the physician
5. When should the definitive calculation for intravenous fluid resuscitation rate
be performed for a patient with burns?
A. As soon as the patient arrives
B. After removal of clothing
C. Only at a burn center
D. During the circulation assessment
B. After removal of clothing
Rationale: Musculoskeletal and Wounds\Burns
Some fluid will be given initially, but an accurate fluid total is based on percentage of
total body surface area which requires a good skin assessment and is calculated after
clothing is removed.
6. In a motor vehicle collision, which injury pathway is most likely to increase the
patient's morbidity and mortality?
A. Rotational
Correct Answers (2025/2026 Updated)
You are caring for a patient who was thrown from a bike and was not wearing a
helmet. While performing the head-to-toe assessment, you note clear drainage
from the right ear. Which of the following is the most appropriate next step?
A. Clean the ear with a cotton-tipped applicator.
B. Pack the ear with gauze.
C. Notify the physician
D. Document and continue the exam.
C. Notify the physician
A patient is brought to the emergency department of a rural hospital following a
high-speed motor vehicle collision. When significant abdominal and pelvic
injuries are noted in the primary survey, what is the priority intervention?
A. Initiate transfer to a trauma center
B. Attempt family notification
C. Obtain additional imaging studies
D. Place an indwelling urinary catheter
A. Initiate transfer to a trauma center
An adult who fell from a second story roof is brought to the emergency
department by private vehicle. The patient is confused with unlabored
respirations and has strong, palpable radial pulses. There is an open wound in
proximity to an obvious deformity of the left lower extremity. What is the priority
intervention?
A. Initiate cervical spine stabilization
B. Apply a splint to the lower extremity
C. Put the patient on portable oxygen.
D. Log roll the patient onto a spine board
, A. Initiate cervical spine stabilization
An adult patient who sustained a severe head trauma has been intubated and is
being manually ventilated via a bag-mask device at a rate of 18 breaths/minute.
The patient has received one intravenous fluid bolus of 500 mL of warmed
isotonic crystalloid solution. The PaCO2 is 30 mm Hg (4.0 kPa), and the pulse
oximetry is 92%. BP is 142/70 mm Hg. What is the most important intervention to
manage the cerebral blood flow?
A. Decrease the rate of manual ventilation.
B. Initiate another fluid bolus.
C. Recheck endotracheal tube placement.
D. Increase the amount of oxygen delivered.
A. Decrease the rate of manual ventilation.
An adult patient is brought to the emergency department following a vehicle "roll-
over" with prolonged extrication. Assessment reveals swelling and bruising to
the right proximal thigh and a weak pedal pulse. Skin is pale, cool, and moist.
What is the most appropriate initial intervention?
A. Application of a tourniquet to the affected extremity
B. Application of a pelvic binder
C. Fluid resuscitation to maintain a urine output of 0.5 mL/kg/hour
D. Oxygen to maintain the ETCO2 between 30-35 mm Hg (3.9-4.6 kPa)
B. Application of a pelvic binder
2. Which of the following situations could cause functional grief?
A. Inability to live at home
B. Amputation of a limb
C. Loss of one's self-image
D. Destruction of the patient's car
B. Amputation of a limb
Rationale: Preparation and Ongoing Care\Psychosocial Aspects
Functional grief relates to the loss of body function or body parts such as
amputation of a limb, paralysis, or loss of sight.
, 3. 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 emergency department
B. Medical history including current medications
C. Availability of support systems after discharge
D. Accessibility to a primary care physician
B. Medical history including current medications
4. You are caring for a patient who was thrown from a bike and was not wearing a
helmet. While performing the head-to-toe assessment, you note clear drainage
from the right ear. Which of the following is the most appropriate next step?
A. Clean the ear with a cotton-tipped applicator.
B. Pack the ear with gauze.
C. Notify the physician
D. Document and continue the exam.
C. Notify the physician
5. When should the definitive calculation for intravenous fluid resuscitation rate
be performed for a patient with burns?
A. As soon as the patient arrives
B. After removal of clothing
C. Only at a burn center
D. During the circulation assessment
B. After removal of clothing
Rationale: Musculoskeletal and Wounds\Burns
Some fluid will be given initially, but an accurate fluid total is based on percentage of
total body surface area which requires a good skin assessment and is calculated after
clothing is removed.
6. In a motor vehicle collision, which injury pathway is most likely to increase the
patient's morbidity and mortality?
A. Rotational
