TCRN Psychosocial Aspects of Trauma Care 3

Question 1

When providing end-of-life care to a trauma patient whose family is present, which nursing action best supports the family?

Accepted Answer

Allow family presence during resuscitation if desired, assign a dedicated nurse as family support, and provide regular updates

Answer

Family presence and a dedicated support nurse reduce trauma-related grief and improve family satisfaction with end-of-life care.

Question 2

Grief following traumatic death of a patient is a normal response for trauma nurses. Which statement about nurse grief is true?

Accepted Answer

Acknowledging grief and participating in debriefs or memorials promotes resilience and reduces burnout

Answer

Debriefing, peer support, and rituals of acknowledgment allow nurses to process grief healthily, supporting long-term resilience.

Question 3

A patient with a substance use disorder is admitted after trauma. Which approach best reflects trauma-informed, non-stigmatizing care?

Accepted Answer

Treat withdrawal and pain proactively, use respectful language, and involve addiction medicine consultants as appropriate

Answer

Trauma-informed care recognizes substance use disorder as a chronic illness; proactive treatment and specialist involvement reduce harm.

Question 4

When a trauma patient expresses suicidal ideation with a specific plan, the nurse should:

Accepted Answer

Immediately implement safety measures, remove means if possible, notify the provider, and initiate a psychiatric emergency evaluation

Answer

Suicidal ideation with a plan is a psychiatric emergency requiring immediate safety intervention and psychiatric evaluation.

Question 5

Which factor most commonly contributes to delayed PTSD diagnosis in trauma survivors seen in the emergency setting?

Accepted Answer

Focus on physical injuries and time constraints leading to inadequate psychosocial screening

Answer

The acute care setting prioritizes physical stabilization, and time pressure frequently results in psychosocial needs being under-screened.

TCRN Exam Practice Test