Trauma Nursing Flashcards
6 cards from real CEN practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 6 Trauma Nursing flashcards as text
A patient with a blunt abdominal trauma has a positive FAST exam showing free fluid in Morrison's pouch. The patient is hemodynamically unstable. What is the priority intervention?
Answer: Emergent surgical exploration (trauma laparotomy)
A positive FAST with hemodynamic instability indicates significant intraperitoneal hemorrhage requiring emergent operative intervention.
Which spinal injury pattern is most commonly associated with a diving accident causing cervical spine injury?
Answer: Compression (burst) fracture with spinal cord injury
Axial loading from diving into shallow water typically causes burst fractures of the cervical spine with risk of spinal cord injury.
A pregnant trauma patient at 28 weeks gestation is in hemorrhagic shock. Which positioning modification is essential during resuscitation?
Answer: Left lateral uterine displacement to relieve aortocaval compression
Left lateral uterine displacement relieves aortocaval compression by the gravid uterus, improving venous return and cardiac output.
A patient with a closed head injury and GCS of 14 presents to the ED. CT scan shows no intracranial hemorrhage. Which observation criteria allows discharge?
Answer: The patient has no history of anticoagulant use, has a reliable adult companion, and clear discharge instructions
Mild TBI discharge requires no anticoagulant use, a reliable companion for home observation, and written instructions for return precautions.
A trauma patient develops a massive hemothorax. Initial management includes placement of a large-bore (36–40 Fr) chest tube. If initial drainage exceeds what volume, is operative intervention indicated?
Answer: 1000–1500 mL
Initial drainage >1000–1500 mL from a hemothorax or ongoing drainage >200 mL/hr is the threshold for operative intervention.
A patient with a lap-belt injury mechanism presents with abdominal wall bruising in a horizontal pattern and lower back pain. Which injury should the nurse specifically suspect?
Answer: Chance fracture of the lumbar spine
Lap-belt injuries classically cause a Chance fracture (horizontal fracture through a lumbar vertebra) along with intra-abdominal injuries.