TCRN TCRN Musculoskeletal and Wound Care 5

Question 1

A patient with full-thickness circumferential burns to both lower extremities develops absent pedal pulses bilaterally. The PRIORITY intervention is:

Accepted Answer

Prepare the patient for bilateral lower extremity escharotomy

Answer

Circumferential full-thickness burns restrict blood flow as edema develops; escharotomy releases the constricting eschar to restore distal perfusion.

Question 2

A patient with a calcaneal fracture from a fall should be assessed for which commonly associated injury?

Accepted Answer

Lumbar burst fracture due to axial loading

Answer

The axial force transmitted during falls from height that fractures the calcaneus frequently also causes lumbar or thoracolumbar burst fractures.

Question 3

Which intervention BEST prevents pressure injury development in an intubated, sedated trauma patient?

Accepted Answer

Repositioning every 2 hours with documentation of skin assessment

Answer

Scheduled repositioning every 2 hours remains the gold-standard pressure injury prevention strategy, combined with skin assessment documentation.

Question 4

When assessing a wound for infection, which finding is MOST concerning for systemic sepsis requiring immediate action?

Accepted Answer

New purulent drainage with fever 38.8°C, HR 118, and WBC 18,000

Answer

Systemic signs — fever, tachycardia, and leukocytosis — combined with purulent drainage indicate sepsis from wound infection requiring immediate intervention.

Question 5

A patient has a midshaft humerus fracture. Which nerve injury should the nurse assess for?

Accepted Answer

Radial nerve palsy causing wrist drop

Answer

The radial nerve spirals around the posterior humerus in the radial groove and is commonly injured in midshaft humerus fractures, causing wrist drop.

TCRN Exam Practice Test

TCRN Exam Practice Test

TCRN TCRN Musculoskeletal and Wound Care 5