CEN Trauma Emergencies

Question 1

During the primary survey of a trauma patient, which step follows airway management?

Accepted Answer

Breathing and ventilation

Answer

The ATLS primary survey follows A-B-C-D-E: Airway → Breathing → Circulation → Disability → Exposure.

Question 2

A patient arrives after a motor vehicle accident. He is hypotensive with a distended abdomen and a seatbelt sign. What is the most appropriate rapid assessment?

Accepted Answer

Focused Assessment with Sonography for Trauma (FAST)

Answer

FAST exam rapidly detects free intra-abdominal fluid (blood) at the bedside and can immediately guide surgical decision-making in a hemodynamically unstable patient.

Question 3

What is the initial fluid of choice for hemorrhagic shock in a trauma patient according to current guidelines?

Accepted Answer

Packed red blood cells with balanced resuscitation

Answer

Current damage control resuscitation guidelines favor early use of packed RBCs in a 1:1:1 ratio with FFP and platelets rather than crystalloid, to restore both volume and coagulation factors.

Question 4

A trauma patient has a blood pressure of 70/40 mmHg with absent JVD and dullness to percussion at the left lung base. What injury is most likely?

Accepted Answer

Hemothorax

Answer

Hemothorax presents with hypotension, absent JVD (volume loss), and dullness to percussion due to fluid (blood) in the pleural space.

Question 5

A patient with a suspected C-spine injury arrives immobilized. NEXUS criteria would allow cervical spine clearance WITHOUT imaging if which criterion is met?

Accepted Answer

Patient is alert, not intoxicated, has no distracting injury, no focal neuro deficit, no midline tenderness

Answer

NEXUS criteria allow clinical C-spine clearance without imaging if all five criteria are met: alert, no intoxication, no focal neurological deficit, no midline tenderness, and no distracting injuries.

CEN - Certified Emergency Nurse Practice Test

CEN - Certified Emergency Nurse Practice Test

CEN Trauma Emergencies