TSS Cheat Sheet 2026

The 30 highest-yield TSS facts, distilled from real exam questions. Print it, save it as a PDF, or study it here — free, no sign-up.

1. Perinatal trauma (trauma during pregnancy or postpartum period) is associated with which specific risk? → Disrupted maternal-infant bonding and adverse infant developmental outcomes
2. When conducting a suicide risk assessment during crisis intervention, the Columbia Suicide Severity Rating Scale (C-SSRS) is used to measure: → The severity and intensity of suicidal ideation and behavior on a structured scale
3. A youth escalates, yelling and pacing. Which de-escalation response is most trauma-informed? → Using a calm, low voice and offering choices
4. Which of SAMHSA's six trauma-informed care principles focuses on minimizing re-traumatization through consistent policies and practices? → Trustworthiness and transparency
5. Compassion fatigue in trauma practitioners most commonly results from: → Cumulative emotional cost of empathically engaging with trauma survivors over time
6. Why is rapid identification and management of spinal cord injuries important in trauma? → To reduce swelling and prevent further injury
7. Re-traumatization in clinical settings most commonly occurs when: → Patients feel powerless, unheard, or subjected to forced procedures without explanation
8. How do you assess the severity of a trauma patient's condition? → By using the ABCDE approach
9. What is the primary goal of trauma interventions? → To stabilize and manage the patient’s vital functions
10. In the aftermath of a community mass casualty event, which service model is most appropriate for initial outreach? → Mobile outreach teams that bring support to where survivors are
11. How should you manage a trauma patient with difficulty breathing? → Providing oxygen and ensuring airway patency
12. A specialist notices increased irritability, intrusive images from clients' stories, and avoidance of work. This most likely indicates: → Secondary traumatic stress
13. When a client discloses ongoing child abuse during an intervention, the specialist's first procedural obligation in the US is usually to: → Follow mandated reporting laws and agency protocol
14. What is the importance of continuous monitoring in trauma stabilization? → It ensures ongoing assessment and timely intervention
15. Critical Incident Stress Management (CISM) is primarily designed to: → Prevent and mitigate the impact of traumatic stress on responders and survivors
16. How do you assess circulation during trauma management? → Monitor pulse, capillary refill, and skin color.
17. When documenting a trauma patient's injuries, the specialist should use which type of language? → Objective, factual, and descriptive language without personal interpretation
18. Secondary traumatic stress (STS) in family members of trauma survivors is best addressed by: → Offering family members their own support resources and psychoeducation about STS
19. How should healthcare providers deal with a patient expressing anger? → By staying calm, validating the feelings, and offering solutions
20. What is the role of oxygen therapy in trauma stabilization? → To maintain adequate oxygenation of tissues
21. According to Gerald Caplan's crisis theory, a psychological crisis occurs when: → A person's usual coping mechanisms are insufficient to manage a stressful event
22. How do you assess the patient's airway? → Check for patency by asking if the patient can speak.
23. During a crisis encounter, which non-verbal behavior by a TSS specialist is MOST likely to reduce escalation? → Positioning yourself at a slight angle at eye level with an open posture
24. What is the first step in providing psychological support to a trauma victim? → Establishing a safe, calm environment
25. A comprehensive safety plan developed during crisis intervention should include all of the following EXCEPT: → A formal psychiatric diagnosis
26. How can healthcare professionals reduce anxiety in trauma patients? → By using calming techniques and offering reassurance
27. Intersectionality is important in trauma-informed care because: → Multiple marginalized identities compound trauma risk, exposure, and barriers to care
28. A minor trauma patient presents without a parent or guardian. In an emergency, the specialist should: → Provide necessary emergency treatment under the emergency doctrine of implied consent
29. A trauma specialist discovers an error in a patient's documentation. The correct action is to: → Draw a single line through the error, initial it, date it, and write the correction
30. A trauma-informed organization should provide which support to prevent staff burnout and secondary trauma? → Regular reflective supervision, manageable caseloads, and access to self-care resources