Free Trauma Questions for Nursing Students

A trauma patient complains of severe abdominal pain after seatbelt injury. What finding would most concern the nurse?

A trauma patient has an open femur fracture and contaminated wound. What is the most important nursing action to prevent infection?

A patient with a head injury begins posturing with extension of all limbs. How should the nurse interpret this?

A trauma patient presents with cold, mottled skin and no palpable pulse in the leg after a femur fracture. What is the nurse’s immediate concern?

A patient who fell from a ladder has paradoxical chest wall movement. What should the nurse suspect?

A trauma patient is in spinal shock. Which finding is expected?

During trauma resuscitation, what lab value should the nurse monitor most closely to evaluate tissue perfusion?

A patient arrives post-MVC with a GCS score of 3, irregular respirations, and pinpoint pupils. What immediate intervention should the nurse anticipate?

A trauma patient with multiple long bone fractures suddenly becomes restless, tachypneic, and develops a petechial rash. What condition should the nurse suspect?

A patient with suspected spinal cord injury has a distended bladder and elevated BP. What is the immediate concern?

A patient with head trauma has clear fluid leaking from the nose. What should the nurse do first?

A trauma patient is receiving massive blood transfusions. What electrolyte imbalance should the nurse monitor for?

A patient involved in a high-speed crash has air hunger, hypotension, and chest asymmetry. What is the priority intervention?

A trauma patient’s initial core temperature is 34°C (93.2°F). What complication is the nurse most concerned about?

A patient with blunt abdominal trauma becomes hypotensive and tachycardic. What should the nurse do first?

 What is the best indicator of effective fluid resuscitation in a burn patient?

A patient develops muffled heart sounds, hypotension, and JVD after blunt chest trauma. What should the nurse suspect?

After a car crash, a patient complains of shoulder pain and abdominal distension. What is the nurse’s concern?

What is the priority action when treating a patient with an impaled object in the chest?

A patient presents after being trapped in a collapsed building. The leg is swollen, hard, and pulseless. What should the nurse suspect?

What is the purpose of performing a logroll on a patient with spinal trauma?

A patient with a high cervical spinal injury is at greatest risk for:

Which sign is most specific for basilar skull fracture?

A trauma patient with a femur fracture is at high risk for what complication?

Which of the following is a late sign of increased intracranial pressure (ICP)?

A patient was in a car crash and is now experiencing hypotension, bradycardia, and warm, dry skin. What type of shock is suspected?

A patient with a rib fracture is reluctant to breathe deeply due to pain. What is the greatest risk for this patient?

A trauma patient presents with a rigid, board-like abdomen and absent bowel sounds following blunt trauma. What is the priority concern?

A patient with a traumatic brain injury develops sudden polyuria, a serum sodium of 152 mEq/L, and signs of dehydration. What complication should the nurse suspect?

A patient with a suspected tension pneumothorax is exhibiting signs of respiratory distress. What is the nurse’s priority intervention?

A patient with a gunshot wound to the chest is admitted. What is the nurse’s priority assessment?

A patient with a suspected spinal cord injury is being transported. What is the nurse’s priority action?

A patient with a pelvic fracture is at risk for hemorrhagic shock. What is the nurse’s priority action?

A patient with a traumatic brain injury is being monitored for diabetes insipidus. What finding would indicate this condition?

A patient presents with a suspected tension pneumothorax. What assessment finding is most indicative of this condition?

A patient with a suspected head injury is exhibiting signs of increased intracranial pressure (ICP). Which nursing intervention should be performed first to help reduce ICP?

A patient with a traumatic amputation arrives at the emergency department. After ensuring the patient’s airway, breathing, and circulation are stable, what is the nurse’s priority action regarding the amputated limb?

A patient with a suspected spinal cord injury is found at the scene of an accident. What is the nurse’s first action?

A patient with a severe burn injury is receiving fluid resuscitation. Which assessment finding is most important for evaluating the effectiveness of the fluid resuscitation?

A patient with a gunshot wound to the abdomen is admitted. What is the nurse’s priority assessment?

In a mass casualty incident, which patient should be triaged as “immediate”?

A patient with a suspected pelvic fracture is hypotensive and tachycardic. What is the nurse’s priority action?

A patient presents with a deep laceration to the forearm with active bleeding. What is the nurse’s first intervention?

A patient with a Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) score of 8 is admitted following a head injury. What is the nurse’s priority action?

A 25-year-old male arrives at the emergency department after a motorcycle accident. He is alert but complains of severe chest pain. What is the priority nursing assessment?