TCRN (TRAUMA NURSING) –QUESTIONS AND CORRECT ANSWERS (VERIFIED
ANSWERS) PLUS RATIONALES 2026 Q&A | INSTANT DOWNLOAD PDF.
, *CORE DOMAINS*
*• Clinical Practice: Head and Neck*
*• Clinical Practice: Trunk and Chest*
*• Clinical Practice: Extremity and Wound*
*• Clinical Practice: Special Populations*
*• Continuum of Care for Trauma*
*• Professional Issues in Trauma*
*• Trauma Administration and Quality*
*• Injury Prevention and Outreach*
*INTRODUCTION*
*The TCRN examination serves as a comprehensive assessment tool designed to e
the specialized knowledge and clinical expertise of registered nurses in the
trauma nursing. This exam covers the entire spectrum of trauma care, from inj
prevention and pre-hospital resuscitation to acute care and long-term rehabil
The questions are structured as multiple-choice and scenario-based inquiries,
challenging candidates to apply critical thinking and evidence-based decision
to real-world clinical situations. By focusing on both foundational theory an
advanced practice, this assessment ensures that successful candidates possess
the skills necessary to provide high-quality care to the complex trauma patie
SECTION ONE: QUESTIONS 1–100
, 1. A 45-year-old male presents with a traumatic brain injury. His BP is 88/52 mmHg
and HR is 120 bpm. What is the primary priority in managing this patient to
prevent secondary brain injury?
A. Administration of mannitol
B. Hyperventilation to a PaCO2 of 25 mmHg
🟢 C. Fluid resuscitation to maintain Mean Arterial Pressure
D. Immediate placement of an intracranial pressure monitor
🔴 RATIONALE: Secondary brain injury is significantly worsened by hypotension and
hypoxia. Maintaining adequate cerebral perfusion pressure (CPP) by ensuring
hemodynamic stability is the priority before Osmotherapy or invasive monitoring.
2. Which of the following is the most common cause of preventable death in the
pre-hospital trauma setting?
🟢 A. Exsanguination from extremity hemorrhage
B. Tension pneumothorax
C. Airway obstruction
D. Traumatic cardiac arrest
, 🔴 RATIONALE: Uncontrolled hemorrhage, particularly from extremities, remains the
leading cause of preventable death. This has led to the "C-A-B" or "MARCH"
protocols emphasizing hemorrhage control first.
3. During the primary survey of a trauma patient, you note trachea deviation to the
left and absent breath sounds on the right. What is the immediate intervention?
A. Chest X-ray
B. Endotracheal intubation
🟢 C. Needle decompression of the right chest
D. Pericardiocentesis
🔴 RATIONALE: These are classic signs of a tension pneumothorax. It is a clinical
diagnosis requiring immediate needle decompression or chest tube insertion before
waiting for radiographic confirmation.
4. A patient with a pelvic fracture is at high risk for significant internal bleeding.
Which type of pelvic fracture is most commonly associated with "open book"
morphology and massive venous plexus bleeding?
🟢 A. Anteroposterior compression
B. Lateral compression
ANSWERS) PLUS RATIONALES 2026 Q&A | INSTANT DOWNLOAD PDF.
, *CORE DOMAINS*
*• Clinical Practice: Head and Neck*
*• Clinical Practice: Trunk and Chest*
*• Clinical Practice: Extremity and Wound*
*• Clinical Practice: Special Populations*
*• Continuum of Care for Trauma*
*• Professional Issues in Trauma*
*• Trauma Administration and Quality*
*• Injury Prevention and Outreach*
*INTRODUCTION*
*The TCRN examination serves as a comprehensive assessment tool designed to e
the specialized knowledge and clinical expertise of registered nurses in the
trauma nursing. This exam covers the entire spectrum of trauma care, from inj
prevention and pre-hospital resuscitation to acute care and long-term rehabil
The questions are structured as multiple-choice and scenario-based inquiries,
challenging candidates to apply critical thinking and evidence-based decision
to real-world clinical situations. By focusing on both foundational theory an
advanced practice, this assessment ensures that successful candidates possess
the skills necessary to provide high-quality care to the complex trauma patie
SECTION ONE: QUESTIONS 1–100
, 1. A 45-year-old male presents with a traumatic brain injury. His BP is 88/52 mmHg
and HR is 120 bpm. What is the primary priority in managing this patient to
prevent secondary brain injury?
A. Administration of mannitol
B. Hyperventilation to a PaCO2 of 25 mmHg
🟢 C. Fluid resuscitation to maintain Mean Arterial Pressure
D. Immediate placement of an intracranial pressure monitor
🔴 RATIONALE: Secondary brain injury is significantly worsened by hypotension and
hypoxia. Maintaining adequate cerebral perfusion pressure (CPP) by ensuring
hemodynamic stability is the priority before Osmotherapy or invasive monitoring.
2. Which of the following is the most common cause of preventable death in the
pre-hospital trauma setting?
🟢 A. Exsanguination from extremity hemorrhage
B. Tension pneumothorax
C. Airway obstruction
D. Traumatic cardiac arrest
, 🔴 RATIONALE: Uncontrolled hemorrhage, particularly from extremities, remains the
leading cause of preventable death. This has led to the "C-A-B" or "MARCH"
protocols emphasizing hemorrhage control first.
3. During the primary survey of a trauma patient, you note trachea deviation to the
left and absent breath sounds on the right. What is the immediate intervention?
A. Chest X-ray
B. Endotracheal intubation
🟢 C. Needle decompression of the right chest
D. Pericardiocentesis
🔴 RATIONALE: These are classic signs of a tension pneumothorax. It is a clinical
diagnosis requiring immediate needle decompression or chest tube insertion before
waiting for radiographic confirmation.
4. A patient with a pelvic fracture is at high risk for significant internal bleeding.
Which type of pelvic fracture is most commonly associated with "open book"
morphology and massive venous plexus bleeding?
🟢 A. Anteroposterior compression
B. Lateral compression
