Advanced Trauma Care for Nurses (ATCN) Exam
Practice Questions with Verified Answers 2025
1: What is the primary survey in trauma care? - correct answer -
The primary survey in trauma care is a rapid assessment to identify and
manage life-threatening conditions. It follows the ABCDE approach: Airway,
Breathing, Circulation, Disability, and Exposure.
2: What does the A in the ABCDE approach stand for? - correct answer -
The A stands for Airway, which involves ensuring that the patients airway is
open and clear of obstructions.
3: How do you assess breathing in a trauma patient? - correct answer -
Breathing is assessed by checking for adequate chest rise and fall, listening
for breath sounds, and observing the patients respiratory rate and effort.
,4: What is the significance of the C in the ABCDE approach? - correct answer
-
The C stands for Circulation, which involves assessing and managing the
patients blood flow and perfusion, including checking for hemorrhage and
monitoring vital signs.
5: Why is disability assessment important in trauma care? - correct answer -
Disability assessment is important to evaluate the patients neurological
status, including level of consciousness, pupil response, and motor function,
which can indicate brain or spinal cord injury.
6: What does Exposure entail in the primary survey? - correct answer -
Exposure involves fully exposing the patient to assess for hidden injuries
while maintaining body temperature to prevent hypothermia.
7: What is the purpose of the secondary survey in trauma care? - correct
answer -
The secondary survey is a thorough head-to-toe examination conducted
after the primary survey to identify all injuries and plan appropriate
management.
, 8: How is shock managed in trauma patients? - correct answer -
Shock is managed by ensuring adequate airway and breathing, controlling
hemorrhage, restoring circulation with fluids and blood products, and
monitoring vital signs.
9: What are the signs of hypovolemic shock? - correct answer -
Signs of hypovolemic shock include tachycardia, hypotension, pale and cool
skin, decreased urine output, and altered mental status.
10: What is the Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) used for? - correct answer -
The Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) is used to assess a patients level of
consciousness based on eye opening, verbal response, and motor response.
11: How is a tension pneumothorax treated? - correct answer -
A tension pneumothorax is treated by immediate needle decompression
followed by chest tube placement to relieve pressure and re-expand the
lung.
12: What is the role of a nurse in trauma resuscitation? - correct answer -
Practice Questions with Verified Answers 2025
1: What is the primary survey in trauma care? - correct answer -
The primary survey in trauma care is a rapid assessment to identify and
manage life-threatening conditions. It follows the ABCDE approach: Airway,
Breathing, Circulation, Disability, and Exposure.
2: What does the A in the ABCDE approach stand for? - correct answer -
The A stands for Airway, which involves ensuring that the patients airway is
open and clear of obstructions.
3: How do you assess breathing in a trauma patient? - correct answer -
Breathing is assessed by checking for adequate chest rise and fall, listening
for breath sounds, and observing the patients respiratory rate and effort.
,4: What is the significance of the C in the ABCDE approach? - correct answer
-
The C stands for Circulation, which involves assessing and managing the
patients blood flow and perfusion, including checking for hemorrhage and
monitoring vital signs.
5: Why is disability assessment important in trauma care? - correct answer -
Disability assessment is important to evaluate the patients neurological
status, including level of consciousness, pupil response, and motor function,
which can indicate brain or spinal cord injury.
6: What does Exposure entail in the primary survey? - correct answer -
Exposure involves fully exposing the patient to assess for hidden injuries
while maintaining body temperature to prevent hypothermia.
7: What is the purpose of the secondary survey in trauma care? - correct
answer -
The secondary survey is a thorough head-to-toe examination conducted
after the primary survey to identify all injuries and plan appropriate
management.
, 8: How is shock managed in trauma patients? - correct answer -
Shock is managed by ensuring adequate airway and breathing, controlling
hemorrhage, restoring circulation with fluids and blood products, and
monitoring vital signs.
9: What are the signs of hypovolemic shock? - correct answer -
Signs of hypovolemic shock include tachycardia, hypotension, pale and cool
skin, decreased urine output, and altered mental status.
10: What is the Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) used for? - correct answer -
The Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) is used to assess a patients level of
consciousness based on eye opening, verbal response, and motor response.
11: How is a tension pneumothorax treated? - correct answer -
A tension pneumothorax is treated by immediate needle decompression
followed by chest tube placement to relieve pressure and re-expand the
lung.
12: What is the role of a nurse in trauma resuscitation? - correct answer -
