TCRN TCRN Musculoskeletal and Wound Care 2

Question 1

A patient with a femur fracture develops sudden hypotension, tachycardia, and decreased breath sounds on the left. Which complication is most likely?

Accepted Answer

Tension pneumothorax

Answer

Sudden hemodynamic collapse with decreased unilateral breath sounds after trauma suggests tension pneumothorax, requiring immediate needle decompression.

Question 2

Which assessment finding is MOST specific for compartment syndrome in a closed tibial fracture?

Accepted Answer

Pain with passive stretch of compartment muscles

Answer

Pain with passive stretch is the earliest and most specific finding for compartment syndrome, occurring before neurovascular deficits develop.

Question 3

A patient arrives after being thrown from a motorcycle with an open femur fracture. After airway and hemorrhage control, the PRIORITY wound intervention is:

Accepted Answer

Irrigation with normal saline and sterile dressing application

Answer

Initial management of open fractures includes copious irrigation and sterile dressing to reduce contamination prior to definitive operative care.

Question 4

Which splint position is correct for a suspected scaphoid fracture in the ED?

Accepted Answer

Thumb spica splint with wrist in neutral position

Answer

Scaphoid fractures require a thumb spica splint to immobilize the thumb ray and wrist, protecting the avascular scaphoid from displacement.

Question 5

A trauma patient's compartment pressure is measured at 32 mmHg. Diastolic blood pressure is 60 mmHg. What does the delta pressure indicate?

Accepted Answer

Delta pressure of 28 mmHg — fasciotomy is indicated

Answer

Delta pressure = diastolic BP minus compartment pressure (60 − 32 = 28 mmHg); a delta ≤30 mmHg is the threshold for fasciotomy.

TCRN Exam Practice Test

TCRN Exam Practice Test

TCRN TCRN Musculoskeletal and Wound Care 2