TCRN TC-Registered Nurse 5

Question 1

A burn patient has circumferential burns of both lower extremities. The nurse assesses absent distal pulses and tense compartments. The PRIORITY intervention is:

Accepted Answer

Prepare the patient for escharotomy

Answer

Circumferential burns with absent distal pulses indicate compartment syndrome requiring escharotomy to release the restricting eschar and restore perfusion.

Question 2

Using the Rule of Nines in an adult patient, a burn covering the entire right arm and the front of the right leg equals what total body surface area (TBSA)?

Accepted Answer

22.5%

Answer

The right arm is 9% TBSA and the front of one leg is 9% divided by 2 = 4.5% — but standard teaching: right arm = 9%, anterior right leg = 9%/2 = 4.5%, but front of right leg alone is 9%; combined = 9 + 9 = 18% — however anterior leg only = 9%; right arm = 9%; total = 18%. Answer depends on interpretation; anterior right leg = 9%, right arm = 9%, total = 18%.

Question 3

A patient with a traumatic amputation of the right hand arrives in the trauma bay. After controlling hemorrhage, what is the CORRECT method for preserving the amputated part?

Accepted Answer

Wrap in moist sterile gauze, place in a sealed bag, then place on ice

Answer

The amputated part should be wrapped in moist sterile gauze, placed in a sealed plastic bag, and then placed on ice to preserve tissue viability without causing frostbite from direct ice contact.

Question 4

A trauma patient's arterial blood gas shows: pH 7.28, PaCO2 38, HCO3 16, PaO2 92 on 4L NC. This pattern is MOST consistent with:

Accepted Answer

Metabolic acidosis

Answer

A low pH with low bicarbonate and a normal PaCO2 indicates metabolic acidosis, which in trauma is commonly caused by lactic acidosis from poor perfusion.

Question 5

Which of the following describes the 'lethal triad' in trauma that must be aggressively prevented?

Accepted Answer

Hypothermia, acidosis, and coagulopathy

Answer

The lethal triad of trauma consists of hypothermia, acidosis, and coagulopathy — each worsens the others, creating a cycle leading to death if not aggressively corrected.

TCRN Exam Practice Test

TCRN Exam Practice Test

TCRN TC-Registered Nurse 5