EFMB Trauma Care & Physical Fitness 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: How long should a rescuer maintain pressure after packing a wound with hemostatic gauze?
- 30 seconds
- 1 minute
- 3 minutes
- At least 5 minutes (or until bleeding stops) (Correct answer)
Correct answer: At least 5 minutes (or until bleeding stops)
TCCC guidelines recommend at least 3 minutes of direct pressure (Quikclot/Combat Gauze), but field guidance commonly emphasizes sustained pressure until bleeding is controlled, often cited as up to 5 minutes.
Question 2: During the EFMB 12-mile forced march, what is the maximum time allowed to complete the course?
- 2 hours 30 minutes
- 3 hours (Correct answer)
- 3 hours 30 minutes
- 4 hours
Correct answer: 3 hours
The EFMB 12-mile road march must be completed in under 3 hours while wearing full combat equipment.
Question 3: What is the primary purpose of the hypothermia prevention bundle in TCCC?
- Improve wound visualization
- Prevent the lethal triad of hypothermia, acidosis, and coagulopathy (Correct answer)
- Provide cushioning for fractures
- Reduce pain perception
Correct answer: Prevent the lethal triad of hypothermia, acidosis, and coagulopathy
The hypothermia prevention bundle directly combats the 'lethal triad,' which worsens bleeding and shock outcomes in trauma.
Question 4: An unconscious casualty with no gag reflex needs airway management. What is the preferred airway adjunct in TCCC?
- Oropharyngeal airway (OPA)
- Nasopharyngeal airway (NPA) (Correct answer)
- Surgical cricothyrotomy
- Endotracheal intubation
Correct answer: Nasopharyngeal airway (NPA)
The NPA is preferred in TCCC because it can be used in semi-conscious patients and doesn't require the patient to be fully unconscious, reducing aspiration risk.
Question 5: Which IV fluid is preferred for initial resuscitation in a hemorrhagic shock casualty under TCCC guidelines?
- 0.9% Normal Saline (1 liter bolus)
- Lactated Ringer's solution (1 liter bolus)
- Whole blood or plasma/packed RBC ratio 1:1:1 (Correct answer)
- 5% Dextrose in water
Correct answer: Whole blood or plasma/packed RBC ratio 1:1:1
TCCC recommends blood products (whole blood or 1:1:1 ratio) as the resuscitation fluid of choice to restore oxygen-carrying capacity and clotting factors.
Question 6: The SAMPLE history mnemonic used in casualty assessment stands for which of the following?
- Signs, Allergies, Medications, Prior illness, Last oral intake, Events
- Symptoms, Allergies, Medications, Pertinent history, Last oral intake, Events (Correct answer)
- Signs, Age, Medications, Pain, Level of consciousness, Events
- Symptoms, Airway, Mechanism, Pain, Level, Evacuation
Correct answer: Symptoms, Allergies, Medications, Pertinent history, Last oral intake, Events
SAMPLE stands for Symptoms, Allergies, Medications, Pertinent history, Last oral intake, and Events leading to the injury.
Question 7: A casualty is found unresponsive with no breathing and no pulse. After determining the scene is tactically safe, what is the first intervention per TCCC?
- Begin CPR immediately
- Control any massive hemorrhage before initiating CPR (Correct answer)
- Establish IV access and push epinephrine
- Open the airway and give two rescue breaths
Correct answer: Control any massive hemorrhage before initiating CPR
Under TCCC, massive hemorrhage control takes absolute priority over CPR because traumatic cardiac arrest from blood loss is not reversible without stopping the bleed.
EFMB Trauma Care & Physical Fitness 3
How long should a rescuer maintain pressure after packing a wound with hemostatic gauze?