CAISS Cheat Sheet 2026

The 30 highest-yield CAISS facts, distilled from real exam questions. Print it, save it as a PDF, or study it here — free, no sign-up.

1. Which AIS thorax code structure component identifies the specific anatomical structure injured? → The third and fourth digits
2. A trauma patient has two chest injuries coded AIS 3 and AIS 4. For ISS calculation, which chest value is used? → AIS 4 (higher)
3. In AIS 2015 Update, burns to the face are coded under which chapter when only skin is involved? → External/Thermal chapter
4. Which approach best demonstrates mastery of trauma documentation in CAISS practice? → Applying principles to novel situations with sound judgment
5. An AIS severity score of 6 is defined as: → Unsurvivable injury
6. Probability of survival (Ps) in trauma scoring is most directly calculated using: → Revised Trauma Score and ISS combined (TRISS)
7. A MAIS (Maximum AIS) of 5 from a spinal injury means the patient: → Has a critical injury that is life-threatening but survivable
8. A patient with blunt chest trauma has a chest X-ray showing a widened mediastinum. The injury most consistent with this finding is: → Traumatic aortic injury
9. Which practice improves data quality for entry 3? → Use registry guideline 3
10. What term best describes injury 9? → Accurate anatomical term 9
11. When coding a Le Fort III fracture (craniofacial disjunction) in AIS, what severity score is typically assigned? → AIS 3
12. A patient has an AIS 4 lower extremity injury and an AIS 3 upper extremity injury. These two scores contribute to ISS as: → 4² + 3² = 25
13. In trauma documentation, what does 'AIS 9' signify? → Injury severity unknown
14. Which of the following best describes the use of the AIS severity score of 3 for extremity injuries? → Serious but not life-threatening, hospitalization required
15. Where are traumatic bilateral facial nerve injuries coded in the AIS? → Face chapter, as facial nerve injuries involve facial structures
16. Which structure's injury is coded in the AIS thorax region when the diaphragm is lacerated? → Thorax region
17. Which of the following neck vascular injuries would typically receive the highest AIS severity? → Carotid artery transection
18. A spinal cord injury resulting in complete paraplegia below T6 would most appropriately receive which AIS severity code in the Spine region? → AIS 5
19. Frostbite resulting in full-thickness tissue loss of three fingers would most appropriately receive which AIS severity code? → AIS 3
20. In AIS, which additional data element is captured alongside the AIS severity code to enable ISS calculation? → Body region number (1–9)
21. Which of the following tibial injuries would be coded at the highest AIS severity? → Open tibial shaft fracture with compartment syndrome
22. Which professional attribute is most valued in external and thermal within the CAISS field? → Accountability and commitment to standards
23. What term best describes injury 3? → Accurate anatomical term 3
24. A traumatic aortic injury classified as AIS 5 most likely involves: → Aortic transection with free hemorrhage
25. Which registry standard body publishes guidelines specifically used by US trauma registries to maintain AIS data consistency? → The American College of Surgeons (ACS)
26. In CAISS practice, what is the best approach to quality improvement in head and neck injuries? → Use data-driven methods with measurable outcomes
27. Which of the following best describes an AIS 5 abdominal injury? → Aortic laceration at the celiac axis
28. An injury coded as 'AIS 9' indicates: → Insufficient information to assign a code
29. In AIS 2005 Update coding, an isolated spinous process fracture of T6 without associated injury is best coded as: → AIS 1
30. What distinguishes a 'dislocation' from a 'subluxation' in joint injury terminology? → Dislocation is complete loss of joint contact while subluxation is partial displacement