TNCC - Trauma Nurse Core Curriculum Disaster Management Questions and Answers

Question 1

During a mass casualty incident caused by a bus rollover, you are triaging a 30-year-old male using the START algorithm.
The patient is unable to walk.
He is apneic.
You manually open his airway, and he begins to breathe at a rate of 22 breaths/min.
What is the next immediate action and corresponding triage category?

Accepted Answer

Tag the patient as RED (Immediate) and move to the next victim.

Answer

Assess for a radial pulse or capillary refill.

Answer

Tag the patient as BLACK (Expectant/Deceased) and move to the next victim.

Answer

Assess his ability to follow simple commands.

Question 2

Which of the following scenarios is a recognized exception to standard mass casualty triage principles, requiring the use of "reverse triage"?

Accepted Answer

A multiple-victim lightning strike.

Answer

A multi-vehicle highway collision with blunt and penetrating trauma.

Answer

An industrial explosion with numerous burn and blast injuries.

Answer

A building collapse with crush injuries.

Question 3

A key difference between the adult START triage system and the pediatric JumpSTART system is the management of an apneic patient. What intervention is performed in the JumpSTART algorithm for an apneic child that is NOT performed for an adult?

Accepted Answer

Assessing for a peripheral pulse and, if present, delivering five rescue breaths.

Answer

Immediately tagging the child as BLACK (Expectant/Deceased) if they are not breathing.

Answer

Checking capillary refill before opening the airway.

Answer

Using the AVPU scale to determine if the apnea is neurologically-related.

Question 4

You are the first nurse to arrive at a chaotic mass casualty incident. According to disaster management principles, what is your PRIMARY role during the initial response phase?

Accepted Answer

Perform rapid triage to sort patients and do the greatest good for the greatest number of people.

Answer

Begin performing detailed head-to-toe assessments on the most injured victims.

Answer

Establish a treatment area and begin providing advanced life support interventions.

Answer

Provide emotional support and crisis intervention to the 'walking wounded'.

Question 5

Following a chemical spill at an industrial plant, numerous victims arrive at the hospital's emergency entrance via private vehicles. They are coughing and complaining of skin irritation. What is the absolute priority action the trauma nurse must ensure before these patients enter the treatment area?

Accepted Answer

Moving all patients to a designated decontamination zone for removal of clothing and showering.

Answer

Administering oxygen via non-rebreather mask to all symptomatic patients.

Answer

Establishing intravenous access for anticipated fluid and medication administration.

Answer

Obtaining a detailed history of the specific chemical agent involved from each patient.

Question 6

A patient triaged with a YELLOW (Delayed) tag at a mass casualty incident would be best described as having which type of injuries?

Accepted Answer

Serious injuries that are not immediately life-threatening but require treatment.

Answer

Life-threatening injuries that are readily correctable with immediate intervention.

Answer

Minor injuries, such as abrasions and minor lacerations; they are considered the 'walking wounded'.

Answer

Injuries that are so severe that survival is highly unlikely, even with maximal resources.