TCR-Nurse Flashcards

A trauma patient arrives with a GCS of 8. What is the PRIORITY nursing intervention?

Answer: Prepare for definitive airway management

A GCS ≤8 indicates inability to protect the airway, making definitive airway management (intubation) the priority intervention.

Which assessment finding is MOST consistent with a tension pneumothorax?

Answer: Tracheal deviation away from the affected side with absent breath sounds

Tension pneumothorax causes tracheal deviation away from the affected (collapsed) side due to mediastinal shift, along with absent breath sounds.

A patient with blunt abdominal trauma has a positive FAST exam. The patient is hemodynamically unstable. What is the appropriate next step?

Answer: Immediate surgical intervention

A hemodynamically unstable patient with free fluid on FAST requires immediate surgery; delaying for CT increases mortality risk.

When calculating the Revised Trauma Score (RTS), which THREE parameters are used?

Answer: GCS, respiratory rate, and systolic BP

The Revised Trauma Score uses Glasgow Coma Scale, respiratory rate, and systolic blood pressure, each coded 0–4.

A patient presents with paradoxical chest wall movement and severe respiratory distress after a motor vehicle crash. Which injury is MOST likely?

Answer: Flail chest

Paradoxical movement (segment moves inward on inspiration) is the hallmark of flail chest, caused by fractures of three or more consecutive ribs in two places.

Which medication is the FIRST-LINE treatment for anaphylaxis in a trauma patient who develops a hypersensitivity reaction to blood products?

Answer: Epinephrine 0.3 mg IM

Epinephrine 0.3 mg IM (anterolateral thigh) is the first-line treatment for anaphylaxis regardless of context.

A patient with a C5 spinal cord injury would be expected to retain which motor function?

Answer: Elbow flexion

C5 innervates the biceps, allowing elbow flexion; wrist extension requires C6, hand grip requires C7–C8.